The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-09


! very short time when one has been
waiting nigh on twenty years.
"Mornin' Mandy"
"Mornin' Seth. Any mail for me-"
"Nothin' 'cept the county newspa-
per-" and then with a mock air OF sur
prise, .'I declare. why here's letter
for you," Just as IL he had not nearly
Welded to the temptation to open it
ever since it had been placed in his
sack at s o'clock that morning.
"a letter for mel" echoed Mirandy.
But Mirandy's establishment at getting
a letter did not equal her amazement
as she read its contents. On the let
terhead of AN attorney, it ran:
your uncle, Ezekiel Barrett. has
died entestate. As sole surviving heir,
YOU are entitled to the $500 he has
left. Our solicitor will visit you short
| ly to securt the necessary signature.
| Then Mirandy did a thing unheard
Of. She kissed Seth. I'VE can get
| married right off now. she gurgied,
'.get married. Seth. dom. you hear?
| For Seth was already chugchugging
| down the road. Mirandy stared at the
| letter.
The next morning the customary ex-
change of greetings was omitted as
| Mirandy abruptly asked, Now we got
the money. won't you way to be get
/ tin married."
i Seth Il oked up as he rolled a stone
II
came hesitatingly. Cant you see,
Mandy, If I was to marry you now,
lwithout a cent of my own. folk'H be
sayin' I vas marryin' you for y'r
money"
The couple were silent at the new
barrier. They had got used to watt
ing. And SO commenced the weary
round of days and nights. Seth
4 seemed to bend beneath the toilsOme
task of equalling Mirandy's inheri-
lance, and to lose ambition and energy.
But to Mirandy's urgings not to con-
slider public opinion, he turned a deaf
. ear and every morning as he handed
her the county newspaper he re1ter-
ated his stand. IT'S no use. Mandy,
my minds made up and that settles
"fIave you got mind ?" Mirandy
, asked arcastically Seth stood aghast
This was their final quarrel.
Then one morning Seth did not 1inc
! Mirandy at the gate She was SICK
The doctor had ordered an ALARMING
: array of pills and medicines ana "a
tho Seth faithfully sat at her ped
/ side every evening, Mirandy refused tt
: get well. He went about like shadow
!, Of his former self. Never before nae
he realized just how very mucr
> Mirandy meant in his life. And ther
> The doctor confessed he could dt
!, nothing. To Seth, who had ATTENDED
i MANY a funeral as pallbearer withou
la heart murmur, the fnformatloi
: came like a blow unseen. 1t stag
s gered him. He sat by the PED am IN
4 calloused ones. What could ne 90
i Oh. IL he could save her!
h MANDY" ne called suddenly, let
Mirandy stirred. "I heard the doc
e tor tellin' you" came IN weak lar
: Tears unchecked traced grim
| routes down Seth's tanned cheeks
). Mirandy went on. "Folks'H think J
d YOU married me now you'll be wantir
It to inherit my money Sn.y o,ovad ~wna
o do we care bout folks round here
e I want to tend you like husban
h while y're here
v Mirafldy turned over at the unusus
n sentimentality of Seths speech
h right Seth, then we'll get married,
3 she answered with smile.
I'll And Mirandy seemed to Improve
n once. Perhaps It was Seth's nus
+ band1y care. or perhaps 1t was Jos
l. something else. but Mirandy got we
with surprising rapidly.
w 1t was after the wedding Mirand
n seated on the arm of Seth's chat
~ nervously Strengthened the edge OF tn
k lace dolly pinned on the coars
.r horsshair upholstering.
n Il got CONFESSION 10 ihdhc, o.
r said.
asl Seth looked up and took the ella
II pipe from his mouth. He thought
Al twenty years he had learned ever!
n thing in Mirandy's life.
h 1T wasn't dyin' that time Seth,' 81
a. smiled, the doc helped to make y 81
In YOU needed me. / was just actin u
Il Seth"
Ks And then Seth did thing unheal
IN Of He kissed Mirandy.
Copyright. lo1s by Mcclure Newapap
81 Syndieate.)
I'll