The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-06

and dying. Now you go out to the
shack and don't lie awake worrying.
'Twon't be a week till you are back
home. riding Thad on your back and
taking Tavy's bossing."
1t was early dusk on Thursday when
she stopped her blackboard at the cor
ner OF the White farm nearest the
house and let Tink cut
You stroll across lots" she directed.
Its getting SO dark she won't see
you, and you wait till I'm inside. Get
where you can hear, and when she
bursts out crying rush in and grab
her. I'm calculating, by the color of
| her that you won't have to walt long
Aunt Marindy tied her horse,
knocked and was admitted. Little
Thad was asleep on the bed in the
corner. Octavia Wilhite greeted her
dully-a Boad,esa of the plains, with
milk-white skin over which the prairie
had no power, sFunberous brown eyes
and pile OF red haSr. She was heavy
lidded and pale, but hard-lipped.
II declare, it's warm already" re-
marked Aunt Marindy genially. as she
Tink has a posthole auger. Jim's
fencing the north eighty
81 don't know" answered Tavy. III
he has-had-it will be out at the
barn: Wen go out and look
Where Is TiRk ?" asked Aunt Ma
rindy. with polite interest
Tavy's neck stiffcned and her smold-
ering eyes biazed.
ST don't know where he is. but 1
know what he's done. Hes left me
alone with my child. here on this God
forsaken farra-deserted mel"
You don't say!" marveled Aunt
Marindy.
HE has" reiterated Tavy. "And
I'll show him."
We'll. Well. And I thought it was
all gossip. You never can tell what
| devils those meek-looking men can
be.''
Aunt Marindy gazed commiserately
| on the wife. whose chin wavered.
II don't see how you stood it SO
long" she went on, with vast sympa-
thy. Hes a sceundrel and orto be in
the penetrating you so just because
he don't care for you any mere,"
''Oh, oh, OH" Tayy screamed fys-
terically, with appraised hands, while
tears ran down her face.
How dare your" she shrilled. How
dare you say such things about the
best man in the worid?. 1t was all my
fault. and he's gone-he's gone.'
There was a rush of feet and Tink
burst into the room, white and ex-
cited.
Tavy projected herself violently into
his outstretched arms.
'Darling!" she sobbed, vehement
~ and dramn tically. "She is telling
lies on you! oh, Tink, don't you love
me any moree''
Harder and harder every minute,
you angel! You sweet little child.'.
'She-she said you'd orto be in the
PEN" sobbed Tavy stormily. And
that you didn't care for me any more.
Mean old baclsbiter!"
There. there. little one" soothed
| link, she didn't mean to hurt your
feelings-sne just didn't know how
sensitive you are!'
Aunt Marindy shifted. Then she
rose and drawled.
II guess it's time for me to be get
ting back"
Il know you meant it for the best
proach and magnanimity in the hus.
bands mien as he turned his head,
but you should have realized how
delicate her nerves are"
She traduced youi" Kissed Tavy
without looking around. ct shall
never forgive herr
Aunt Marindy drove home, and In
silence turned her horse over to Jim,
Inside JosepI1us. the cierical-looking
maltese cat, sat on the broad window
sill, regarding her-with mild curiosity
She answered his inquiring look.
Well, / made an exception, and ]
got just what was coming to me. Jo-
sephus. I've been in a pair of shears
for the first time-and. listen, It is
the last time, too. for Marindy Ellen
Hart,''
Then. in q voice of self-congratula-
ton, but fetched her, anyway. link
knows that / know she knows it.
That's one satisfaction
kCopyri:.ht, 1910 by the Mcclure News
paper Syndfcate.1