The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-14

one would want to marry Abigail.
She's SO sot in her ways"
Maybe So" rejoined Miss Brown.
Meantime Abigail, all tired out. dis
with herself, sobbed on in her low
ceiled bedroom above stairs and some
one who had overheard most of the
conversation just quoted stole silently
out of the living room of the Brad
shaw homestead and down in the di
process of baking bread for the fol-
lowig morning was just getting under
way.
The next morning Abigail was at
feet of her tears and there were signs
tbar-she was feeling the effects of her
long strain and anxiety.
When the rest had started off on
their several duties Mr.. Joe Bennett.
who. by the way, was the eavesdrop
per. fingered awkwardly in the dining
room. Miss Abigail came back into
the dining room from the kitchen and
was surprised to see him, large pack
age under one arm. standing there.
first on one foot and then on<the other,
like an awkward schoolboy.
"I-know you told me not to ask
you again, Abigail" began the bache-
lor, suddenly gaining control of him
self and looking into Miss Bradshaw's
brown eyes, "but I thought I'd take
d
out. You need some one to look after
you, a strong shoulder to lean on.
Let me look out for you. let me"
"Oh, joe" Miss Abigail's voice was
almost peevish.N ~Fhis declaration on
the part of the faithful Joe Bennett
seemed just like an added trouble.
IF l was to marry you I'd have to go
on housekeeping just the same, and it
Just seems as If I couldn't keep the
house the way I used to-" Joe tried
to interrupt, but Miss Abigail per-
ceived it and went on. 81 know you
are going to say you'd be willing to
board in the city, but. Joe, couldn't
leave this place, and if / stay here III
have to keep house and II just seems
now as if 1 couldn't keep house with
out-without grandpa"
There was pause during Whlch
Joe Bennett fumbled with his pack
ages "Good-by." he said eventually,
l then he started to turn and came back
facing Abigail, who was fumbling a
corner of her apron nervously. Pal-
most forgot to leave this bundle" he
said-and you might have detected
twinkle in his gray eyes. I've got a
little stock in the new baking con-
Germ and when l was down there L
happened to see a bunch of the flour
bags. Seemed too bad to throw them
away" Far from 1t in reality, for
Joe Bennett had paid 81 for the
generous supply that he now held in
his hand. so 1 just took them along
with me. I'm like that way, hate TO
see anything go to- waste. Perhaps
you could use them for busters or
something" Then Joe Bennett turned
in earnest to go. II Abigail tried TO
detain him he needed it not, for
minute later he was out of the house
striding down the street wearing an
expression of inward satisfaction.
And his satisfaction proved TO be
justified. for it was a different Abigail
who me him at the door that evening.
Seems as if you were very good
to me-" said Abigail and those brown
eyes of hers wore an expression of in
describable tenderness. In fact, her
voice. her gesture, everything abour
her bespoke irresistible tenderness.
Things seem different now" she said.
"I can't just explain but-but maybe"
N"You don't have to explain" said
Joe Bennett cropping toward the little
brown figure in the cleaning. Heput
two strong arms out and Abigail crept
into their shelter. "All / want is just
you" he said
downright 1920. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.I