The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-14


smiled with deep satisfaction. The
sign was conspicuous. but not rudely
so. and it was to the point.
FINEST HAND LAUNDERING.
INSPECTION INVITED.
at was hard to get it all there. too,
want you to know" added Tom.
Think folks'n talk much?"
who cares how much they talk;
go long. boy!" Uncle Peter brushed
him to one side disdainfully. Miss
Gwen amt goin' ter touch any
washin', is she? She's jes the Of
fetal negotiator. Julia's goin' ter
turn out all de hand washin' dey send
along"
Wouldn't the major just chew
nails if he could see it." Gwen smiled
happily. ITS so nice to have an il
lustrious father who never comes to
see you. and is around on the other
side of the world most of the time. l
really think dad believes we live on
honey and cream and sunshine,
Tommy. Wen get some good roast
beef once more and a whole barrel of
flour at once instead of rations. You've
got to drive after all laundry and de-
liver it on Saturday, Tom. I'll do 1t
weekdays"
Glendale was treated to the surprise
of years when the full significance OF
the sign on the old Hilbert place
daWned on its inhabitants. Certainly
the two Hilbert children were liable to
do anything radical, coming from the
stock they did, but at least they were
supposed to keep to the line. socially.
When Gwen drove calmly around the
small town in her smart yellow cart
calling for and delivering laundry as
if she were scattering blessings broad
cast, even little Miss Carey. the dress
maker, said it did seem as if all shame
and decency had gone out of folks
when they could take in washing.
But oddly enough. the new laundry
prospered amazingly. For the guests
al the two hotels at the springs had
never heard of Major Hilbert or his
children, and after the first samples
OF Aunt Julia's washing reached Gus
toners, Gwen found she could control
the summer trade.
SO the big grove back of the smoke
house became a huge open-air laundry
where Aunt Julia reigned supreme
over five helpers, and Uncle Peter
drove the yellow cart now instead of
Gwen. 1t was quite enough work to
manage the little office she had
opened off the dining room, and keep
track of everything.
And before the first month was over
there was such a wonderful balance
to the good that Gwen ran out to the
grove and Rugged Aunt Julia before
everybody, and cried a little on her
ample shoulder.
Wen pay UP every last blessed bill
in three months if this keeps up" she
exclaimed. You darling, you. Aunt
Julia, 1 declare I'll give you pale
pink velvet robe of glory for this. Do
you know we've got every one of the
new guests, every last one? This Mrs.
Remsen is a dear old thing. She's got
two sons coming on from somewhere
today and she says they always wear
pongee pajamas, and she's never yet
found a laundry could do them up
right We will. won't we, auntie ?"
The next morning the yellow cart
stopped outside the iron rail fence
and Gwen saw that Uncle Peter had
some one with him. some one who
hurried up the walk to the veranda,
and rang the bell outside the screen
door theoretically. She answered it
herself. He seemed very nice and
very tall and boyish.
why, you see." he began cheer
fully, you're Miss Hilbert. aren't you6
I'm Dick Remsen- My brother and l
came on last night from New York
and 1 promised your father I'd call at
once"
dad? Is he over, here?' gasped
Gwen, glancipG at the sign instructive
ly. "Oh, LIof1!''
He's not hurt a bit" Dick assured
her earnestly. S1e's in fine condition,
but he can't come on for a while yet
{ III dWlully Slda TO meet you lie S
talked about You all so much, you
know. ] felt as if 1 could not wait to
meet you"
Gwen smiled up at him teasingly.
Are the pongee pajamas yours? Be
| cause if they are 1 can tell you right
now well do them up beautifully.
Come on and sit down and tell me all
about my forgetful father Do you
think it will shock him to find me
! in business?"
1T won't shock him, Miss Hilbert"
! Dick hesitated a minute and plunged
After all. she would have to know
sooner or later. 1T may startle Mrs
| Hilbert, but she's all right. You'll
| like her"
Mrs. Hilbert" repeated Gwen
! slowly. You mean dad is married
| to somebody? That he is bringing
| anyone here-a new wife,"
Mother likes her immensely. She's
an American ,apd very charming
| Shes due today or tomorrow. Going
i to. stay with mother first until the
! major can join her"
But she mustn't do that Gwen
| tried to set grip on her senses
She must come here, of course. Dad
would wish that. It's the right thing
| to do" And then she looked at the
sign again and it Knocked her. In
spection Invited" And here she was
! seized with a longing to snatch it
/ down and hide it from the scorning
gaze of the interloper Won't you
! please find out when she is to arrive.
and-and I'll meet her with your
| mother
The major came on a week later.
! handsomer than ever, and hungry for
| sight of the big old house on a
| knob of the Cumberlands All the
way he wondered how he was going
| to make peace between Gwen and the
new mother. and when the train
! drew in he saw the two standing to-
! gether, comrades already, with Dick
/ behind them and Uncle Peter waving
and wiping his eyes from the express
| truck.
All the story of the laundry was told
on the way home. and at every re-
| mOnstrance from the ma inr Mrs HI