The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-05
Eoening Story

BY CORONA REMINGTON.

beside the little boy and guided the
unsteady hand.
That's it," she said a moment
later. You've done it beautifully.
Now. if you want to play a little, you
may"
With a squeaI of delight. the boy
threw his arms around her neck, then
/ ran away to chase the dancing but
terflies.
! May I join the party. Mrs Frank
| lin ?" said a pleasant voice beside her
as the owner dropped carelessly on
the ground at her feet.
What would you do If I were to
say 'no'?" she laughed.
TOO late now-besides. I knew you
wouldn't"
Talk about the vanity of women!
! How about the conceit of nlenz'' she
! leased.
: That nephew of yours is one more
/ kid he said. changing the subject.
: Il think he's wonderful she put
; in. her eyes following the little figure
to write as a surprise for his mother.
Do you think he can do anything in
three months?'
! sure he can if he doesn't blow
himself up or set the hotel on fire
first"
! She smiled as she handed the sheet
/ of paper to Arthur Mantell.
] That's not bad when you know
he's only been at it a month. and we
have two whole months left
! "Fine, 1 should say" the man de-
cIared as Billy came running toward
! them.
1 rBut Auntie says put the tumhlies
| to my DIS on the wrong side" he said
woefully, as he pointed a pudgy fore
finger at the recalcitrant DIS
Never mind. you'll soon get that
straight" the man soothed as Billy
trotted off again.
He's so much stronger since we
came over here" Mrs. Franklin re-
marked irrelevantly. by the end of
the summer he'll be a real little man
again"
But don't see how your husband
can ever exist without you for. three
whole months" the man said SIM
cerely.
Mrs Franklin blushed and turned
J her head away.
! "Oh. I know I've done something
wrong" he declared apologetically.
do forgive me-"
"N-no. you haven't" the girl replied
hesitatingly.
j IF you'll look at me. I'll be con-
WINGED. I can always tell in your eyes
when you are hurt or happy or sad"
! Slowly. she raised her head and
! looked unwaveringly at him. Now
see?" she smiled.
Yes" he answered rather lame
| ly, his heart humping.
After a while she excused herself
and took Billy back to the hotel for
his nap. MantelIs eyes followed the
| two as they walked across the lawn.
| II don't believe she's so very much
older than Billy" he said to himself.
but, Lord! why are all the nice
women n1arried? I know she was
meant for me, and even if there is
something wrong with her husband.
I'll bet she loves him. She's Just the
thick and thin, for = better or = for
a girl that's already given her heart
/ to some other chap"
He, rose angriIy and strobe toward
the hotel.
| Never mind. tomorrow'1l be Mon
day and L can work. It's not quite
so bad when you don't have to hang
around all day and think how Won
derfuI she'd be in a little home all
our own. I'll keep out of her way
the whole week. No use burning your
fingers for nothing"
/. But Mantell's resolution was as wish
washy and weak-backed as most reso-
lutions and he broke it the next even
ing.
/ MRS. Franklin" he said and shifted
iboyishly from one foot to the other.
She could not help smiling and
wondering at his embarrassment as
! 'Just say it right out" she eoaxed.
I IT know it's not so bad"
| well. well. would 1t be any harm
for chap to ask you and Billy to
go to the movies tonight ?"
+ s"I don't think it would be bit of
harm" she laughed, land ! hope the
| chap will do it because 1 know Billy
and would-enjoy it,
Great" he exclaimed. throwing his
/ hat in the air. Lets GO
You're nothing but a boy" she told
him, her eyes sparkling.
I'm twenty-nine years old the
fourth of August possess one Masters
] degree in architecture, an office. a sec
ond hand. typewriter and contracts for
five different buildings" he told her
III inquired tones.
That's quite a wonderful record
she admitted graciously. land 1 take it
all back. Now. III run and find Billy
| and my hat and we II CO.
That was the beginning of a hilari-
Gus round of movies. canoe rides and
tennis sets, and all the time Mante1l
knew that he was getting in deeper
and Mrs. franklin was wondering
what the people at theN hctel were
thinking of her. but she didn't care so
very much. It wasn't any harm going
Mantell took Billy on a little jaunt
without her. He was evidently very
i fond of the child.
/ In this way the days slipped by and
the boy grew roster and fatter and
more skilfful with his pencil until, At
last the time came for them to return
to their home L-ty.
The night before they left RS
Franklin put her little charge to bed
then slipped downstairs and out on to
the lawn to take a last lock at the
place that had grown so dear to her.
/ In the half light she saw a familiar
figure coming toward her and was de-
lighted to recogI-- Art il 81ant l.
I'm so glad to have this chance to
tell you two things" she said.
''Wo1ld to heaven had the chance
to tell you onet" he most groaned.
You mustn't talk so tragically,' -
she reproved gently. There's no
necessity for it. Now. what wanted
to tell YOU she went on. as. first.