The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-21
EVENING STORY
Sissy.
BY s. B. HACKLEY.

! er's paster! Eff Johnny Beals a-hadn't
jest been here . Sunday. I'd be wfllin'
to swear hit us him. Now 'hain't it ?"
Alice Emily Towers eyes, black
and wondrously soft. followed her
mothers lean forefinger.
"Yes'm, it's him"
Minerva flung a screening sheet
over the line.
dered, land skin off them sudsy
things you got on. quick, and put on
your new red penang, and tell Matte
Lou to kill two them fryin' size Mock
er Chickens the biggest uns!"
Minerals command was tense with
excitement. 1t was as tho the king, a
hoped-for but unexpected, guest, ap-
preached. Indeed, Johnny Beals,
queer, fifty-year-old Johnny. the gro
Ger, with his reputation for wealth,
both boarded and being added to, was
to her a monarch, and the brilliant
blue suit of clothes he wore. the coat
glittering with the golden double
| eagles that served for buttons, the
trappings of royalty. %
Poor Minerva, for thirty years a
tobacco growing tenants wife, with an
unsatsfied longing for an abundance of
life's good things physical, hoped thru
sons-in-law to bring riches to the
family.
eighteen. had lived in the heart of
Beverly Dixon, who daily drove one
of the Green River Wholesale Groc-
cry Company's big delivery trucks.
But since that unfortunate May day
when Alice Emily came into Beals's
store with her little basket of eggs.
Johnny had spent three Sundays at
the Towers ramshackle abode-a ten
ant-house on the Isom Tewmey farm,
and each time he had brought pres
ents for all the family. With two eX-
ceptions, the family was highly elated
EN1f1ii Nrio ioh
exceptions were Alice Emily herself
and Matte Lou, the elder daughter,
who was twenty eight, and lovingly
sympathetic in the plans of Beverly
and the little sister.
Ten years before Matte Lou and
Ellis Brooks, a fine young fellow who
cropped for a neighbor, in the tobac-
co, wanted to be married, but because
Of his poverty Minerva lad raised
objections so vehement and strenuous,
| Ellis. angered, had gone away, and
Matte Lou had never seen him again.
On the first two Sundays of John
ny's visits, Beverly had not been able
to make his usual Sundays visits to
Alice Emily because of his sick sister,
but on the third Sunday afternoon he
had gone joyfully to the Towers
Minerva, eating luxuriously from q
five-pound box of chocolates, greeted
him.
"Them's what Alice Emly's new
Teller fetched me, Bevi" she had ex-
ulted. Hits Johnny Beals He's
been to see her twict since you been
here, and now he's tuck her out
a-walkin'i"
"Johnnys cut We out shore, Bev,"
A1vah had spoken up, "fer good and
| ALL"
Then remarking the whiteness that
came over Beverly's brown face, he
had thrown a consoling arm about the
boys broad shoulders.
''Ther, don't yet feel that away
about hit, Bev. Gals is curtis, and
Tiers a minny another purity one in
the world sides Alice Emily"
Beverly had laughed, but his laugh
was queer and forlorp. When the
strollers had returned Minerva had
slyly but successfully frustrated his
maneuvers to speak a word alone to
Alice Emily. Hurt and miserabl he
had refused friendly old Alvah's
pressing invitation to stay to supper
On the next afternoon he had re-
ceived at the postoffice a hastily PEN
ciled note.
Dear Bev," it read, ma and Pa
and the boys would be mad at me if
they knowed 1 written this, but can't
stand for you to think Alice Emily is
carried away with Johnny Beals and
but they've got him to thinkins she
is You try to come down here about
Wednesday, or any evenin's before
Sunday and talk to Sissy.
MATTE LOU"
And now it was Wednesday, and
Johnny had come again! Matte Lou
went upstairs to their little bedroom
Alice Emily sobbed softly in the folds
of the red penang.
''Oh Matte Lou, he's come again,
and Ma and them are tickled to death.
They're n-rushin' me to marry that
al fhaDor rr-ffl
mouth that looks like 1t wanted to
eat somebody I hate him, Matte
Lou! Il never got to say a word to
Bev Sunday, and he won't never come
back any more"
Matte Lou kissed her ''Bev's
s;comin' tonight. honey. I wrote to
But that old things here!'' Alice
Emily walled.
'Tll watch for Bev. and tell him to
wait out by the pine until Johnny
Beals leaves, then me and you can
you're a-feelin to hint"
Alice Emily went down to talk to
Johnny, radiant in her hidden hope.
When he rose to go he told Alvah
and Minerva that he wanted to marry
Alice Emily in two weeks time.
But 1 amt said I'd marry you'll"
Quavered Alice Emily.
Yes, but she will, Mister Beals."
Minerva assured him; she's jest sor-
tie bashful. Alice Emily, you set
lamp on the front porch water shelf,
SOS Mr.. Beals won't ketch his feet
on that rickety old. floor!"a
Alice Emily obeyed. gohnny fol-
lowed her out, and the young lover.
waiting in the shadow of the big
pine, in the revealing light, saw her
folded in Johnny's arms, and in ap-
parent willingness receiving Johnny's
kisses.
He turned on his heel, and with his
heart on fire. went back to town. Mat
tie Lou meant well, but she was mis-
taken about Alice Emilys feelings.
Well. he was done,
When their mothers light was out
the two girls slipped out to the big
pine. After an hours wait, chilled to
the bone, they crept back to bed