The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-01
Epening Story
A Pound of Cheese.
BY KATE EDMONDS.

BY KATE EDMONDS.
Beth Browning walked around the
village square three time before she
gained courage to enter David Pres
the village where one could buy good
cheese, and Beth had promised her
mother to buy 1t there.
Never mind, dearie, il you have
quarreled with David" she admonish-
ed her pretty daughter He has the
best grocery in BrookEille-and you
can't stay away forever. One of you
must unbend a little"
But mother" objected Beth, and
then smiled at her mothers twink
ling eyes. "Oh, WE'LL" she sighed. II
hope he won't be there-I hope Capt.
Benjy's keeping store"
The gate iatched behind her and
Mrs. Browning sighed little too as
she went into the house. 81 am afraid
Beth has my obstinacy," she muir
happiness and Daniels and I'm
bound Beth shall have another chance
if cheese will do it, I'll eat pounds of
it from Davids store, just to help
matters along"
So that was why Beth walked
around the square three times-past
the drug store the stationer's. the post
office, the Brookville grocery with
eyes straight aheadD, the meat mar
ket, the blacksmith shop, the lumber
yards. the cobbler's shop. the Gloria
Ice Cream Parlors. the Star Dry Goods
company, then the drug store, the
grocery, and SO on: three times she
hurried around with pink cheeks and
rebellious eyes, and at last in little
furry of desperation she mounted
the steps and entered.
She was glad to find only one Gus
toner there-David was soberly meas
uring pound of tea for old Mrs.
Sackett.
Land sakes, Davy." the old lady
shrieked, IT didn't ask for five
cheating YOURSELF"
"It's ali right. Mrs. Sackett," NUT
tered David as he tied up the parcel
That's right. 70 cents, thank you,
ma'am."
st hope you aren't getting nervous.
Davy." Mrs. Sackett said kindly
You're hand shook like a Leaf
I'm all right. thank you,' he said
hurriedly. You next. Beth" with
great concern.
"A pound of cheese" said Beth, and
before David could move to the back
of the store the door opened and ad-
mitted several customers Never
mind, I'll go around there and try it,
first" She slipped around the end of
the counter in her old familiar way
and disappeared behind a tall glass
case containing bread and cake. David
looked after her wistfully, but she did
not see the glance and he went soberly
back to his customers.
Beth heard the door open and close
several times and then a period of
silence. She stood before the great
round cheese which she had uncovered
and daintily nibbled a small slice. 1t
was good cheese. and she cut another
! bit. trying to gain courage to go out
there and say careiessly: That's all
iriO Dop faL IF
please" But she dared not trust her
voice-her heart was humping in the
most unaccountable way. and her
faithless knees refused to support her
valiantly.
I'm going now." she told herself
than stirred the door opened once
more and a sharp. pert voice greeted
David with friendly familiarity.
Hello, Davy Prescott"
Hello. Cert" he answered pleas
| antly.
| u want some sugar." she went on.
Sorry. but your folks have had a
, slider all of my customers and treat
them fairly
''Bother!" she laughed merrily. 81
ask it as a personal favor. Davy"
You know ] would like to, but
There was a determined note in his
| fOlCe tHdl beIn nke1.
only you won't do It," finished
Gertrude. Father said you were SELL
ing Daniel Browning ten pounds to-
day"
Your father didn't know" said
David slowly, that half of that was
for Mrs. Jones-Mr. Browning was
| going to leave at her house.
Well, If you won't you WON'T" re-
turned the girl good humoredly. And,
/ 20
me don't bring a pound of candy;
bring sugar instead"
David laughed with her. Gertrude
made some other purchases and loi-
| tered toward the door.
Have you seen Beth lately?" she
asked.
Not SO long ago." he answered
without hesitation.
Indeed, saw her ten minutes ago
aiding with Sam Trimmer"
"Humph." calculated the store
keeper.
Sans got new car-cunning lit
one. Davy?''
When get married" he answered
Jocularly. Going to take a honey
moon trip across country"
That will be sweet the door
opened and the girls impudent voice
trailed back into the store. "Be sure
and get a Boiler, Davidi" Then the
door finally closed.
For little while silence prevailed
in the store Beth stood uncertainty
by the great cheese. David hesitated
behind the counter. Then, as often
happens. they both started forward
at once and almost collided Beth's
elbow striking the great glass cover
OF the cheese and sending it crashing
to the floor.
Il am SO sorry, Dave" she cried
penitently.
IT'S nothing" he assured her.
How much cheese do you want,
Beth?"
"A pound, please" she quavered
David's hand seemed very uncertain
that day, even Beth noted that the
cheese knife wavered a little, cutting
jagged slice that weighed more than a