The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-28
Eoening Story
Rogers Girl.
BY LILY WANDEL.

dow that commanded the best view
of the railroad tracks, folded her
hands on her alpaca lap and waited.
a thin. gentle smile of expectancy on
her anxious face.
The train which would be in shortly
would bring Rogers fiancee. Every
thing was ready for her-the house
cleaned and polished from top to bot
tom, both spare-rooms in the pink of
condition.
She hoped that this Mary would not
be exactly as Roger had glowingly de-
scribed her in his letter, yet she prom
ised herself that no matter what Mary
turned out to be she was going to love
her and cherish her for Rogers sake.
She recalled the passage in his letter:
Mary is the most capable and eff
cient girl have ever met. so thoroly
able to manage herself and everybody.
A wonderful girl, you will admire her
from the bottom of your heart, mother
dear. She's so energetic and so eff
cient, there's no one like her. I'll be
down on Saturday and by that time I
hope you two will have become &C
quainted and good friendsI"
y 1t frightened little Mrs. Lmwood
just a bit. She had always longed for
a daughter, she wanted to mother her
aud cuddle her and give her all sorts
Ol dQNlCes Out the SlTl
in his letter-she was awed by all her
capability and subconsciously she
wished that Rogers girl would be
dear little thing who needed a moth
er's love and comforting. For years
she had planned how it would be when
Roger would bring home the girl of
his choice. how she would make her
feel at home and ease, relieve her of
that strained atmosphere that so often
comes when young woman first
meets her future mother-in-law. But
now it would be just the other way.
A shrek from an approaching loco
motive made little Mrs. Linwood close
her eyes, seeking, perhaps, inward
strength to meet Mary in a few min
utes-the little depot was only a few
hundred feet from the house.
Heavens on earth!" Gabriela from
the kitchen came screaming in the
room. Look, look, Mrs. Linwood,
what's happened"
Mrs Linwood jumped from her
chair and then looked where Gabriela
pointed. In the distance where the
train made the curve lay the last
from its coupling, swarm of people
collecting
The little woman turned pale, her
first thought of Mary. My shawl"
she whispered, hoarsely, and when Ga
briela had laid it around her shak-
yard, thru the meadow. A train
man, bearing a limp figure, met her
halfway.
you Mrs. Linwood?" he asked
breathlessly. Il picked up her hand
bag and this card fell out with your
address guess that's where she want
ed to go!"
Mrs Linwood nodded and quickly
led the way back to the house. Put
her here. please" she said, indicating
~ -.
lay a slip of girl down.
Rogers mother bent over her Gag
erly, lovingly. What a sweet, white,
baby face, what lovely little brown
curls escaping from a demure little
hat! Oh, she loved her at first sight,
the white cheek and then turned to
the man. Are many hurt?"
quite a few men and another
woman Going to take them right on
to the hopsital in Chitaw-none here
in this little burg"
springing to her eyes, "how dreadful
that long ride to Chitaw-and a
woman, too, poor thing! oh. bring
her here please We can care for her;
I've two bedrooms ready and Gabriela
will telephone for Dr. Fern"
"An right" agreed the trainman
readily, I'll bring her here in a min
ute" and hurried out
Mrs. Linwood turned to Gabriela.
Garry Miss Mary up to the south
the woman have him take her up to
the north ROOM
Mrs. Linwood undressed Mary her
self and, putting on her one of her
own lavender-scented nightdresses.
tucked her in the big four-poster.
DR.. Fern arrived and after a thoro
examination declared a sprained ankle
was all that was wrong.
Thank God" whispered Mrs Lin
to me and to my son. And oh, I al
most forgot-there's some one in the
north room. 1 haven't had time to
look in-Gabriela's there-can't leave
Mary"
After a while DR.. Fern looked in
again. wen, l fixed up the other
patient, too. She's not a bit fright
ened nor faint. cut on her head
and a few bruises: that's ALL"
Pretty soon the young girl opened
pair of puzzled violet eyes
Mrs. Linwood fastened to explain
and soothe. There's been an acct
dent, Mary. Dear. Nothing much;
you're just a wee bit hurt, and you're
Rogers mother
AN ACCIDENT" repeated the girl
slowly, still dazed. "Oh, I remember
now. I was sitting on the same seat
with another girl and" she chung to
Mrs. Linwood frightened, and the lat
ter held her close, dropping soft kisses
on the pretty brown curls.
You must not talk; you're to keep
real quiet. Now curl up and go to
sleep,
She looked into the loving. anxious
face of the older woman, smiled con-
tentedly. curled Up obediently and fell
asleep like a little kitten.
Mrs. Linwood tiptoed out and sent |
her message to Roger. She heard |
voices from the north spare room, the |
tones of the strange woman and |
not the latter's cheerful |
voice, but sulky, almost impudent.
Hastily she opened the north room
door. A large. wellbuilt young woman |
with a bandaged head sat up in bed |
gesticulating- Il never saw such a
clumsy person, That is not the way