The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-21
Eoening Story
Mary's Boarder.
BY LINCOLN RoTHBLUM.

a subconSciouS second thought put
with her name and appearance ended
Mary's plainness. Resplendent as a
flaming torch. her character of sacri-
ficing unse1fishness shone forth.
Mary's mother, having set for her
daughter the example, had quietly
gone to her last rest; quite as calmly
and meekly as she had served her
husband and four sons during the five
and twenty years past. Hers had, in
deed, been a service unhera1ded and
unacclaimed. Mary assumed the role
thus vacated without murmur or
thought of protest and in equally ST.
lent fashion the head of the house.
hold and it's four male heirs took for
granted that 1t was proper and fitting
for Mary TO serve and meet their
wants: took it for granted with Gus
tomary masculine complacency.
And So when rising costs and re-
stricted earnings necessitated the ad-
ditional income that could be derived
from a boarder. Mary uttered no syl-
liable of complaint that her work
would be thus increased.
1t was one of those hot nights in
July when even the setting of the sun
seemed to bring no surcease from the
torrid humidity of the day. From the
stove, steaming with the evening sup
per Mary turned a parboiled counte-
nance as the door was showed wider
"boarder," who, as he timidly fol-
lowed into the room, gingerly de-
posted his very new valise close to
the door, as if to have it imm ediately
ready should the course of events
deem hasty departure expedient
Mary's father hung his hat and coat
on a nearby hook, reached for his
cV1o oh q hi a rlxanhh n12eTSPhanrn from
the shelf above the sink, cleared his
throat and said by way of introduc-
ton: Mary, this is the boarder."
Then he trudged from the room, leav-
ing murky traces of mortar across the
floor to testify to his profession.
Mary encouraged the fire with an
other block of wood and aggravated
the pot of stew by vigorous stirring.
which filled the kitchen with pillows
of steam.
"This way is your ROOM" she mo-
notonously droned, and reached to
pick up the vaiise The man looked
his surprise at the action and inter-
cepted her movement to carry the
cumbersome baggage. Physical and
mental relief that the effort was de-
MED her demanded no attempt to an
derstand the reason, and, followed by
the boarder. she started up the stairs
-rickety and squeaking their COM
plant of every step placed upon the
age-Worn framework.
She threw open the door leading
into small and cleanly furnished
bedroom. and, after informing him
that the quarters, however close,
would be shared with the youngest
member of the family, declared: Sup
per's at when they're all here"
Evidently that night they were "al
here" but supper proved itself to be
a >tlreary affair, enlivened only by
Marys constant trips between table
and stove for additional quantities of
foods, which were as hastily consumed
as served. The 'boarder ate sparingly
and watched Mary avidiously. AS the
and the father and brothers walked
out onto the miniature piazza, where
the air. however heavy. was less stiff
ing than the kitchen atmosphere. the
boarder, unnoticed remained seated at
the table and watched, with sympa-
thetic interest, the process of its being
cleared.
Don't you eat any supper" he
finally~permitted himself to ask as he
witnessed the deposit of the dishes
into pans provided for their cleansing
Mary looked up, startled at being
addressed. ''Why-er-why-" she
stammered. I'm generally a little
tired to eat" She turned back to her
work, and as she attempted to lift the
kettle of hot water from the stove she
kaZSQ WITH dHidLSIilCiil
upon the boarder as he performed the
heavy task for her. His question fol-
lowed on the heels of his action.
MAY I help with the dishes?" And
quite before Mary had time to think
what to answer, the boarder was
wiping and polishing the cups aid
plates as fast as she could wash and
rinse them. In silence they worked,
and the sun had not yet dropped out of
sight when the kitchen was set in
order for the night.
Don't the boys help you as rule?"
he asked.
IT sort of don't expect them to-"
came the tardy response, half apollo
getically. Mary had not realized how
tired she was, and a soft swift Thank
YOU preceded her hasty flight from
the room as she ran to the lonely
alcove which served in lieu OF a bed
room to try and think out this most
unusual conduct of a representative of
the sect called "rnen" As she fell
asleep she decided that she thought
him mice"
Whether the following evening the
father and boys were too occupied
with the extra delicaoy or two added
to the table, or IL 1t was their custom
airy neglect of the only woman in the
household, it cannot with certainty be
said: but to the boarder alone was it
apparent that within that twenty-four
hour period a change had taken place
in Mary A jaunty. Spanish-fashioned
comb, with the rhineEtones conspicu-
ously absent, adorned her hair, all
stray locks now neatly held in place
with sufficient hairpins; an apron, its
Bingham expapse unsoiled. covered a
house dress equally stiff and clean, and
napkins folded triangular-wise re-
posed during their papier-mache life
time beside each plate.
But this evening the boarder had
hardly anticipated AIary's query,
would you like to help with the
dishes" Indeed he would and the
work fairly flew beneath their fingers
Then 1t seemed perfectly natural out
come to their suddenly discovered
compatibility that a walk should be
suggested and undertaken.
Outside a cooling breeze had come
up. veritable tonic to the sweltering
city.