The Topeka state journal., 1919-10-01
EVENING STORY
The Bee in the Bonnet.
BY A. w. PEACH.

was won Immediately by young Doctor
Case when he explained the situa-
ton. At the same time there was a
faint suggestion that he was holding
something back that he did not care
to tell.
~ am sure, Miss Thatcher" the
doctor said, that here in this splendid
home OF yours in this beautiful valley
self. He is harmless-just little out
of his head. All you have to do is to
keep him interested-keep him from
brooding. He is a fine specimen of
manhood except for the bee in his
bonnet"
Rena awaited with interest the com
ing of Craig. She had had a nurses
training; and her professional instinct
was aroused.
Doctor Case brought Craig the next
day. Rena thought as she took him
in charge that he certainly was a
handsome fellow. Deep-chested,
broad-shouldered. he seemed phys
ically so strong that no mental trouble
could claim him as it evidently had
done His eyes were a puzzle. She
saw them rest upon her with a look
of approval that would have aroused
her wrath if the glance came from
normal man.
Treat him as you would a child,
Miss. Thatcher the doctor /said
calmly to her in front OF him. He's
He'll do what you say
The old colonial residence which
had been the home of her people for
generations, was attractively situated;
taking him along the lovely roads. He
was both amusing and entertaining.
He would get his coat on wrong side
out. He combed his hair in weird
ways until she took charge of the
combing herself; and she combed and
a T-Fu n 1urnd "a "a inr1
locks with as much pleasure as she
would have experimental with the at
tractive hair of a child. His mental
trouble appeared clearly In his con-
versation. He would talk coherently
,, enough for space and then suddenly
shoot off into some foreign subject.
So the days went by. She scolded
him, praised him and petted him as
she would a child, but she could find
no way to aid him. She watched him
one day while, dressed for work, he
was grooming one of the horses which
he particularly favored
What a lover he would make for
some girl" she thought to herself be-
fore she realized what she was think
| ing, ''if he were only normal"
Another week passed. Doctor Case
came and she reported. LAS much of
a fool as ever" the doctor said brutal
| ly in front of his patient. I'm not
surprised. I used to think che was
| half-baked when he seemed to be
normal
| eyes of her patient. 'Hush," she in
terrupted Case, he understands what
you are saying"
| "Oh, no." the doctor replied. HE
may look Intelligent, but he isn't
| The physician decided to leave him
with her for another week. 1t was
an unsual one. Little things came up
during their strolls together that COM
bined to startle her for a moment.
! Craig in his strange way was clearly
| falling. in love with her. The thought
amused her and at the same time
aroused her pity. She had slipped
her arm thru his to guide him, and
she soon found that he would not let
| her withdraw it. She found it neces-
| sary at times to SHOW him his place"
quietly but forcefully.
Just about the same time that she
| learned to interpret rightly the look
in his eyes and the meaning of his
ways toward her. she made another
| discovery that puzzled her. He had
| slipped away from her, and learning
where he had gone, she followed him.
| She found him chatting with a hunter;
and listening from her cover, she
caught in his conversation no hint of
| the unbalanced mind he assuredly did
possess When she rescued him and
turned homeward, however, the illog-
1cal thought began. .
That night he was called to the
telephone. She thought it strange
enough. and the wonder deepened
when he turned from the phone and
said to her, Lets go for stroll.
| Rena."
She agreed williagly enough, for
she had come to enjoy the walks with
hin--even to fancy that she was
walking with n sane and normal man
whom she more than pitied or liked
When they reached the river road
and the light breeze brought to them
the fra grant perfume of the southern
flowers, he caught her hand suddenly
and drew it under his arm. She
thought nothing OF the act, for It had
long been familiar But she was dunn
founded when he stepped suddenly
and turned to her.
Hang it'll can't wait any longerr
he said as If to himself. Then--
She found herself drawn by strong
arms close to HMM a strong mans
grasp which she had never known
She was frightened, but she Kept con-
troll OF herself
Harvey, you mustn't do that
Please let me go. Well walk on tc
the falls. Please"
The arms frightened. She turned
her face on his shoulder until she
could see his. He was smiling, and
there was some odd change in it. His
voice as he went on was fuu OF emo
ton. She trembled as she listened
| My dear girl. 1 forgot that Case
and have been deceiving you. I have
been making believe I was dippy. ]
had to. The best friend of mine tried
to save fine business from being
stolen from an old lady by a pair OF
crooks. In order to do it, he had te
embezzle funds. He broke the law
The crooks nailed him. I was the one
Observation-Disclosures,