The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-19
EVENING STORY
The white Easter Rabbits.
BY BARBARA KERR.


BY BARBARA KERR.
She was such a trim little, slim lit
tie widow, but she walked the gamut
of admiring masculine eyes in the
lobby of the Hotel Metropole appar-
emily obliyious of them, SO intent she
was upon her errand. She wore neat
black suit. strictly tailored, small,
ciose-fittine black turban, white COL
lar and cuffs, and boots were as cor
rect as the rest of her attire.
Smiling engagingly at the clerk she
said: Pm afraid you'll think this the
strangest request that has ever come
to you but l am very anxious to take
some white rabbits home with me to
my little girls for Easter, and won
der If by any chance you could tell me
where 1 can find a rabbit dealer or
hutch near enough for me to get them
before the train leaves for Ardmore =
The girl at the cigar stand, without
waiting for the clerk to answer, re-
piled. why, yes, 1 can tell you.
There's a boy near my home who has
some beauties. but it's good ways
out"
Let me help out in this!" inter
posed a very pleasant voice. and the
widow turned to meet one pair of adj
miring eyes and an Outstretched hand.
/f'Why. PAUL." she exclaimed. cordi-
ally, did you hear what asked?"
Eyes, and I'll undertake to go hunt
ing for those rabbit skins. with the
rabbits in them. for the Baby Buntins
and have them here by train-time."
"Oh, but 1 couldn't let yout You
must have some business of your own
or you would not be here"
my business takes me to Ardmore
also, so you can go to the station when
the time comes. and I'll be aboard
with the game if it's possible"
Mrs. Dale would have demurred
still, but Paul Rochester was losing no
\ oh
baggage, and fastened away.
True to his word, he was on hand
promptly with the box containing the
pets. In fact he was not in the habit
of failing in what he undertook to do,
yet he had failed in the competition
with Jack Dale for the hand of pretty
Betty Dacre, tho he had loved her de-
votedly for years. His business in Ard
more now was to tell her this, and
that he was just waiting for a season.
able moment to press his suit
They had plenty of time on the jour
ney to talk over old times and old ac-
quaintances, also time to talk about
Betty's beautiful little girls, Ruth and
Margery, aged five and three, and Paul
was a most gratifying listener, asking
interested questions and enjoying the
recital of childish pranks. till finally
Mrs. Dale exclaimed: why, Paul,
you encourage me to be perfectly gar
rulous about my babies, something I've
always tried to avoid. 1 didn't know
you would be SO interested in chill
dren."
Yes, Betty he returned gravely,
1--WE always been fond of children and
I've often thought that if anything
should happen to you I could take
those little girls and devote my life to
taking care of Them
Betty looked at him in establishment,
then she tried to make her reply seem
casual: Il really don't know of any
man, Paul, whom would rather trust
them with than with you; but of
course, you know, my constant prayer
is that may be able to care for them
myself-but 1 appreciate your friend
ship-and if the time ever comes
BE careful, Betty" he warned soft
ly. my business in Ardmore has some
thing to do with some such promise
1 warn you now, SO you can be think
ing it over
She made a littlt startled gesture
of dissent didn't mean to brighten
you, Betty; I was not-going to speak
of it now-but 1 want you to get used
to thinking of me-" And to reassure
her he picked up the box and pointed
out some of the fine points of the pet
rabbits.
1t was late when they reacherd Ard
more, so Paul insisted on carrying the
crate in and help to make arrange
ments Tor the Easter surprise
Before retiring, as was their Easter
custom, the children had made a nest
for the Easter Rabbit and had also
fenced off a little place for him in the
bay window where they had fresh let
tuce. cabbage and "a cup of water
Mrs. Dale slipped quietly about put
ting candy around in different places,
adding some downy chicks to other
toys, explaining that she had prom
ised them that if they would be good
while she was gone, maybe the Easter
Rabbit would leave them some of his
babies to bring up, while Paul fixed a
larger box for the rabbits. AS they
finished he said very soberly: 1--WE
missed an awful lot of life, Betty. This
is the finest thing I've had any share
in for years-dc yousthink there's any
chance"
please, Paul" she begged tremu-
lousy, ITS such a new thing-I can
not help feeling that it would not be
ia ir to VOu-T co1Ildn't think of letting