The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-28
Euening Story
The Man From Latham's.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE.

she returned from visit to Chicago.
THE very day you left, dear. White
Holland for all the lower rooms. You
said the others could be turned and
used another year. 1 am expecting
them to be delivered any day now
- Il hope they will send a man to
| hang them" remarked Miss Ruth as
she walked complacentiy around the
| fine old house where they lived to-
gether. There was a strange look in
| the elder Miss OILERS face, a mixture
of pride, contentment, guilt and ap-
prehension. Occasionally she brushed
her snowy hair back with a thin, nerve
| Gus hand.
RUTH" suddenly screamed Sally,
pulling at her sisters left hand
What is the matter?" demanded
/ Ruth with a conscious smile.
"Where-did you get this ring ?"
asked Sally in a muffled tone.
'tJudge Bronson placed it there, my
| DEAR said Ruth proudly, as they both
admired the splendid diamond cluster
ring.
.lAnd you are going to marry him %
"CertainIy-in the spring. OF course
you will live with us, Sally, dear
perhaps" said Sally seriously, but
she Kissed her sister and wished her
| happiness with a fervor prompted by
the deep love they bore for each other.
As Ruth went upstairs to put away
| her things Sally sat in the parlor win
dow and looked out at the well kept
| grounds with the flower gardens
where they had worked together
| Judge Bronson had been an old sweet
| heart of Ruth's, but lovers quarrel
| had separated them and he had mar
ried another girl and lost her Lately
he had renewed his courtship of the
elder Miss Diller.
at will be lonely here" thought
Sally with a heavy heart as she got up
IN
der if there will be any pleasant sur
pPiSeS for mel!
The next morning Judge Bronson
came with his big automobile and
carried Miss Ruth away for the day.
Sally smilingly refused to go with
them.
"I am expecting the man. from
Latham's." she explained.
Sally was crying-a lonely little fig
ure in gray house frock, with mist
of brown hair lightly busted with
white. Even Sally was losing her
YOUTH Then the doorbeu rang
sharply.
Sally opened the door to find that
the man from Latham's had at last
arrived. He had a covered delivery
roll of window shades up to the
porch.
GOOD morning. One more pack
age of shades" he called as he re-
turned to the car.
Sally left the door open and went
into the big living room, where the
sun was shining, plants were bloom
ing and where goldfish and canaries
lived happily in the pleasant environ
ment. A glance at the mirror showed
traces of tears. She wiped them care
fully away and dabbed a bit of pow
der on her pretty nose.
Here 1 am" said the plea SAINT voice
of the man from Latham's, ''all ready
to begin work"
You might start in the front room"
said Sally. coming out into the big
hall, where he waited. surrounded by
rolls of snowy window shades. Have
you a step ladder %
Everything ready" said the man
briskly, with sharp side glance at
Sally that made her uneasy. She won
dered if he knew she was alone, and
she was glad that the silver was lock-
ed up in the hidden cupboard. 's'.t
She stood in the doorway and
watched him narrowly, ana then with
growing interest. He looked different
from any other workman she had
ever observed. His clothes were hand
some and well-cut, like Judge Bron-
sons. He removed his coat and hung
it chair, revealing a spotless white
negligee shirt, with a handsome silk
scarf, and as he lifted his hand to
adjust the ladder she glimpsed d
platinum watch on his wrist.
What manner of workman was
this?
GENTLY than any one she rad ever
seen, and soon all the lower shades
were hung and found to fit perfectly
and to run up and down with re-
markable smoothness.
Don't you ever do anything except
hang window shades?" she inquired,
as they returned to the parlor so that
he could get his coat and hat
Il wish L had nothing else TO dor
he laughed. and his laugh made her
sit up, with a strained look on her
tear-stained face.
Have you ever been here before.
for Latham's?" she asked.
'No-not for inflammation my
SELF
yourself? Who are you?" There
was a sharp note in her voice almost
of fear-yet there was silvery thread
of hope in it.
81 am Latham's! Bought out the
big place several years ago. I am the
big chief there-but lately we've had a
strike among our workmen and amongA
some of our drivers. So 1 called for
volunteers to break the strike. and I've
led them-its coming out all right
the men are coming back to work next
week. When your order came in last
week, I made up my mind that no one
but the highest salaried officer of the
I am, Sally Diller."
"Oh." screamed Sally, and tainted
dead away.
"Ohi'' she said again when she re-
gained consciousness, and pushed away
the wet towel with which he was dab
bling her face. He bent over her with
worried look until Sally sat up
straight on the sofa and stared at
him.
"It cannot be- she whispered, while
a strange smile tinged her lips.
''It is" he assured her. You will
believe me when 1 say I am Dick Wal
lace If I remind you that sat on this
very sofa and asked you to marry me
and it was in-the very self-same
place we quarreled and I obeyed you,
and went away. 1 was a fool to do
that"
IT didn't really mean it, whispered
Sally; 81 didn't know you at first,
you have changed so-but now I know
it is you because am so glad to have