The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-19
E0eningS Story
Wanted-A Husband.
BY LINCOLN RoTHBLUM.


whole world, the instantaneous answer
would have been "a husband which
perhaps, is not so very surprising after
all; for while the response would
come on the heels of the question, it
would lack the saving grace of being
absolutely true. 1t was not so much
a husband for which Janice yearned.
as that which a husband usually rep
resents.
Janice wanted a husband because
she could not find a man to serve in
the role of friend, whose reassuring
arm would chase away all fear when
the dark bridge had to be crossed at
night after work; one who would
sympathetically listen to the little tale
of woe about the domineering fore
lady in the department" Somehow
it seemed to Janice If she could find
a husband, he would be the pal for
which she longed.
But in monotonous friendliness jan
ice continued TO hemstitch her days
away. until one day above the din of
the machines electrically growing out
the work. she had heard herself re-
ferred TO as the old maid"
In that moment an idea dawned and
found expression; any plan seemed
feasible to avoid the ridicule of her
lfellow-workers.
III pretend there is some one. He
lives far away. so I can't see him, but
II must write him letters to inspire
him in his work" She treasured her
self. why shouldn't II"
Then as the pretty pieces of organ
die came out from beneath her nee
die in long rows of even hemstitching,
the imagined husband of Janice was
quite complete as to details, even to
name. II think L would like the
sound OF Mrs. John Carpenter" and
in her minds eye she saw visiting
cards bearing the words.
The days work completed, she re-
traced her steps to the tiny room
icalled her home and sauntered into
the "parlor" as nonchalantly as she
was able, that no attention might be
directed to her perusal of the almanac
which comprised the sole extent of
the rooming house library. Opening
the book al List of Towns in the
United States and turning to a page
of that section at random, she placed
her finger with blind faith and opened
her eyes 10 find herself poirdng to
Hay Ranch. Oklahoma"
In the safe seclusion of her room.
the first letter was indited to the crea-
ton of a lonely girls imagination. 1t
was a sweet little letter, filled with the
gearing for an understanding friend
ship.
When the missive, lacking other
Identification than John Carpenter
Hay Ranch, Oklahoma" was deposit
ed in the mail box, Janice felt hap
pier Tho but the Pigment of her own
mental creation, she had somebody to
whom she belonged" Nor was this
> the last letter composed for whenever
the ogre of loneliness pretended pow
: er. another would be dispatched tell
ing My darling husband John" all the
details.
! Some months had slipped by and
; early summer had merged into late
fall At the end of a trying days
. work, Janice returned to the rooming
/ house too respondent and depressed
I to care about the evenings meal She
walked slowly down the broad thoro-
f fare lined with its stores, restaurants
and theaters, the loud billposters &C
; claiming the entertainment offered
! within Amid the jostling of the un-
minding crowds, intent upon scurrying
home, Janice was banded about, I'M
humanity. In her hand she held
ready for posting, her letter to John
I Carpenter Hay Ranch, Oklahoma in
which she had written, Il long for q
, dear little cottage far away from the
struggles of a big city. 1t does not
, seem that I can stand the strain
\ much longer"
: Janice turned the corner onto q
more secluded street, where some con-
struction work was being conducted
A scoffolding, its false foundation fail
/ ing, gave way with a rasping but too
! abrupt warning to permit Janice t.
escape the deluge of things the boards
supported
Then, save for the fact that she had
been grabbed with precipitate speed
, she was conscious of no more until the
white walls of a hospital room be-
- came as apparent a reality as the pain
: in her body; and the smell common
> to medical institutions forced itself
= upon her consciousness.
A nurse, stiffly starched in white
7 apron cleanliness. greeted her. Bet
= ttrA N a
l Janice closed her eyes. "a visitor %
This was new world indeed. who
: would visit me?" The question came
: The nurse smiled IN professional
fashion 1T is the man who snatched
i you actually from death. 1t was at
great risk of his own life" She paused
a moment and went on: He comes
every day to learn of your progress.
and she added: He sent you these
roses"
Janice thought surely she was
dreaming. She shut her eyes tightly
and opened them upon six feet OF
man, literally towering above the low
cot.
? She looked up at the friendly
stranger as he held her hand lying
so inert above the coverlet and smiled
: a wan. happy smile. THANK you, Mr..
, Man. for the lovely roses.
= Thru long, torturous months when
fractured bones seemed difficult of
mending, always he was there, radiat-
ing a protecting friendship which
seemed to yield the strength her pain
I racked body demanded.
But when the period. q GONZALES
= cence was nearly over and no doc
! tors time limit did end the delight
full moments before the bay window
;, overlooking the bend in the river
where the water sluggishly drifted into
T the ocean beyond, intimate, hopeful
. words of future happiness hurried
the ultimate day of complete recovery.
Each morning the bed-tray, laden
| with savory breakfast -dainties To
tempt the returning appetite of the
convalscent, was abetted by a spright-
10 cnlnr-fiil fra