The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-02
HOLDING A
HUSBAN ID
Adele GGT7fsoN's New PAase Of
Revelations
of O. Wife
How the Minutes Slipped
AOoy to Madge's Delight.

ID ETTY KANE smiled cheerily at me
ID as she propelled her wheeled chair
through the door and stopped at a
little distance from me.
You must pardon my delay" she said,
apologetically, but you see am alone
TINS morning. end was putting some
biscuits in the oven. 1 had to wait to
remove my floury things and see that
my fire was safe before coming in. If
you are a stranger here, you probably
do not know that We burn pine mostly.
and it is treacherous stuff. And fire is
the one bugbear of our existence down
here
She spoke in the most ordinary tone,
evidently giving me only the expiana-
ton of her delay which she considered
my due But my throat CONSTRUCTED as 1
visioned the round of arduous duties
which must be hers. the constant terror
Of fire and other things which must
hover over her in the lonely life which
I saw now was her constant portion.
A Valued Acquaintance.
81 am a stranger. certainly I re-
turned. smiling, land have yet to assoc
ciate anything but beauty with the pines.
But that swapping fire is most attrac-
tive. I wonder IL might have cup of
tea beside it-that is. if it won't make
you any extra trouble. The woman at
the telephone office told me you some
times served 1t in the mornings
Mrs. Hollis is a very good friend of
mine Miss Kane interposed. "She al
ways directs people here instead OF to
the more pretentious tea room a half
mile down the street. And I shall be
most happy TO give you a cup. Don't
you think it might be a good plan, how
ever. to wait for the biscuits? They will
be done in fifteen minutes or SO, and-I
really can recommend my biscuits and a
bit of homemade jam with the tea"
She gave me a whimsical little smile.
and my heart warmed to her anew 1
liked Betty Kane thoroughly upon this
first glimpse of her. and foresaw many
PLEASANT hours before her blazing fire I
fancied that behind her placid face was
a hard-won philosophy of life which
could teach my chafing spirit many
things.
IT haven't heard anything as nice as
that in a long time." I said heartily,
casting about for some way of making
the single cup more remuneratiye with
out offending her. But it won't be per-
feet unless you join me. Won't you be
my guest for tea?" I said, trying to
make my tone significant without being
obtrIRsive.
She flushed slightly. but met my eyes
bravely.
IT shall be glad to do So she said.
simply, land I thank you for the
thoughtfulness. You evidently belong to
that rare sisterhood OF those who al
ways see-and help. Now. if you will
excuse me a moment. will put my ket-
tie on with fresh water. 1 am always
most particular to have freshly drawn
water TO boil for my tea"
The Message Arrives.
81 See we are kindred fussers," I said,
as she wheeled her chair toward her
kitchen again. and 1 heard her gurgling
little laugh of appreciation from the
next room. I didn't offer to help her
for guessed that she was proud of her
ability to perform her tasks unaided, so
simply sat quietly by the fire until she
came back again.
May 1 look at your postals?' asked.
pumping up an apparent interest. I do
not much care for picture postal cards.
but I was determined to buy a liberal
supply, and rack my brains for people
to whom 1 could send them.
oh surely.' she said. II think you
will like this one
She took from the case card showing
a single twig of the long-leafed pine,
holding in the centre of its long spines
the oldest blossom 1 had ever seen. 1t
looked like a cluster of purple berries