The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-28
Erening Story
Ruth's Waffle Fiend.
BY BARBARA KERR.

isn't it a pity" sighed Ruth Gentry
to her brother Bob as she took mental
note of some new arrivals at the room
old houses that have seen better days
must inevitably. like their stricken old
owners, go into the discard? L know
that the Gentry home must shudder
when it contemplates the fact that you
and are the only living things that
keep up its responsibility and prevent
it also becoming rooming house with
noisy rooming- house kids sliding down
its walnut banisters, and clacking. Cos
siping clearinghouse women infest-
ing Its sacred precincts"
Bob laughed. "Pon my soul, Ruth,
you talk like a man-why clacking? ?"
They are; they have nothing to
do; their prying eyes follow me from
cellar to garnet till want to ask them
to come over and help to do something
useful" declared Ruth, who had been
asked three times that day if hers was
rooming house, she kept house so
strenuously for Bob.
tits yours for an early breakfast If
you catch that five-thirty train,
Buddy, SO better make that page your
last one" and she rumpled his hair
lovingly as she passed his chair.
She arose noiselessly next morning,
hurried into a bungalow apron and
nirty cap and went down to prepare
| the waffles. her usual treat for Bob
when he was going away for the day
They were very devoted, trying to
make up to each other for. the loneli-
ness of the big house since their par
ents died.
Ruth paus~d a moment, thinking II
time to run up and call Bob. but, hear
| porch, she ran out and in the hazy
dawn, noting his comfortable pose, his
| feet on the balustrade, she slipped UT
and. nibbling his ear, said: "Waffles
ana maple syrup now ready in the din
| ing car"
She darted back, snatching open the
waffle iron, and filling nice, hot
| plate, placed it for Bob before he came
| into the dining ROOM
| She was filling the iron when BOZ
| entered the kitchen, paused at her ell
bow and in most peculiar tone
asked; May I inquire who is the
| Ruth looked up. trying to fathon
his expression; he gazed at her. Yes
slows them away like a tramp" The
tnkle OF knife against a glass in the
dining room startled her. She rushed
| In; a nice, mellow voice asked:
ANY more of those wonderful waf-
lies, darling?" and pair of fine brown
eyes smiled at her as she leaned
weakly against the door, while Bob
| bristling IKE a terrier, strobe forward
| what do you mean by speaking tC
| my sister in that way?"
| Yes, and what do you mean by
| coming into our house in this way p
demanded the angry Ruth.
The young man arose hurriedly t.
his feet. looking from one to the other
as if not sure that he was awake.
| My waffles are burning" moaned
Ruth, dashing to the kitchen.
4 NJ hvrvr n. vhpk rr<..lx- -
exclaimed the unexpected guest. "And
the only real waffles I've tasted since
my mother died!"
/ OF course, with the mutinous blue
! eyes of Ruth in the kitchen, the mer
| soon adjusted everything. Bob saw
how easy it was for a stranger mex
door to wander onto the grong porch
at such an hour. as he was to motor
| to a nearby village at daybreak. Sc
when Ruth returned with another
plate of hot waffles they were SO en-
crossed with each other that Bob al
most forgot to introduce her till ar
| exasperated clearing of her throa
warned him. Both rose promptly.
Pardon. sis?" begged Bob. This
is Murray McIlvain. brother of an ole
college mate, he's rooming next door
We've been brushing up mutual &C
| quaintances."
Ruth, her face study. looked a.
1 II she was not going to acknowledge
the Introduction, but Mr.. McIivair
with his most ingratiating smile helt
| out his hand: II know anyone whe
can make such waff1es as these viii
not hold a grudge against a poor in
nocent whom fate led into an am
bush. Besides i am the injured party
think of my lacerated ear"
Ruth blushed. THE waffles," she
| murmured, an excuse to take refuge
! in the kitchen. When she returned
| she did not mind the rallying of Bot
and Murray about her biting his ear
! you must have thought 1t. a mos
| playful waitress" teased Bob
s'WeH. I was a bit stunned" ad-
| mitted Murray. ''but after seeing and
| tasting those waff1es I was just going
| you appeared"
How about your train, Buddy?'
/ warned mother1y Ruth.
] Bob sprang up. you'll excuse me
|