The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-03
Epening Story
The Eldest Miss Finch.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE.


and Ethel, the youngest of that popu-
lar family, noted for its feminine pull
chritude. but of Rosamond, the eldest.
he had only heard echoes of her calm
beauty. Men said she was a marble
statue and that nothing could awaken
her dreaming peace.
My sister Rosamond?" Celia had
repeated one day. She's the dearest
thing, but she wouldn't be interested
in any of this" she waved her fan
at the room full Of dancers. 'She is
browsing among books most of the
time. is the most absent minded crea-
ture imaginable, and-we are missing
most of this dance, aren't we2" she
ended wistfully.
Neil apologized and in a moment
they were vanishing in the maze
Sometimes, when he was alone, the de-
scription given by gay Celia came back
to him, and disliking the formidable
picture of a bookish girl who was alb
sentminded and, didn't care for dane
ing, he decided that Fair Rosamond"
must lack a sense of humor. Having
made this decision, fatal to any mans
interest in any woman no matter how
fair she be, Neil finally dismissed the
hope of meeting the eldest Miss Finch.
and became absorbed in his business
of manufacturing nuts and bolts, with
occasional excursions into society.
One afternoon when the fever of
spring was in the air and he could not
remain indoors harnessed to the
routine of a busy office, Neil got into
his car and rode out East avenue to
the country club. The Finch residence
was on East avenue and he had passed
Mrs. Finch and the younger girls in
the shabby car driven by a middle
aged negro. The Finches were poor in
this worlds goods, but, as they came
of good old family and had many
rich relatives, the fatherless family
tanned occasionally in their lovely de-
caying home, filled with heirlooms.
Just as Neil reached the Finch resi-
dence, he became aware that the ma
chine needed water. 1t was second
thought to stop there and apply for a
pail of water. People in Westville
were always neighborly and as there
was no public garage Whereabouts, Neil
jumped out and fastened up the
graveled drive and around to the back
premises. A maid was standing with
her back to him hanging out a snowy
washing of clothes. She wore a pink
sunbonnet, but he could see a couple
Of clothespins protruding from the
depths of the>.bonnet.
Good morning. he said in his
pleasant voice. MAY I have a pail of
water, my car he did not finish
the sentence, he paused in dismay. for
the clothespins were removed from
the loveiest of lips and the face turned
to his was never that of an ordinary
maidservart. Such rare beauty could
only belong to the sister of Celia and
Ethef-she saw his embarrassment and
smiled gravely. Such wonderful sleepy
gray eyes with shadowy black lashes,
a perfect noses a roseleaf mouth, and
a heart-shaped face with breadth be-
tween the eyes. and above, a broad
white brow with tendrils of red gold
hair. A thick braid of the same cop
Iery hair hung below her slim waist
! Water? Certainly" she said in "a
voice which made his pulses Jingle
IF you will come to the house, win
give you a pail; there is water in the
garage, but you may as well fill the
pail in the kitchen" She led the way
into a great Kitchen, Immediately
clean, where an ancient coIored woman
crippled with rheumatism. sat in a
comfortable armchair by the fire. She
croaked hoarse protests when the girl
gave Neil a shining pail.
Now. Miss Rosamond, honey. done
you be waitin' on folks lax that"
please. be quiet. Aunt Heppy."
chfded the girl.
Il am sorry to trouble you-I didn't
know that I might be intruding-I am
acquainted with Mrs. Finch and her
daughters and"
you must be coming to dinner
tonight. them" suggested the girl. ct
recognized you at once am Rosa
mond Finch" she held out a hand
roughened with Homework.
Neil took her hand May I stay
a little while and be kitchen COM
pany?" he asked. ''Td like to|get ac-
uuainted"
Rosamond looked doubtful Then
a wave of color invaded her fair
ness Il shall be glad. Mr.. Latimer,
but you see it would embarrass
you see Heppy is crippled, so, as
we cannot afford another maid, I
come out and help. Heppy directs me
and I love to cook
She shore am de beatenest cook"'
interrupted Heppy.
Rosamond joined in Neil's laughter.
''Heppy is good teacher, and it gives
the younger girls a chance to go
about. I've been out two seasons al
ready, and do like chance$o keep
up with my studies. 1 must fly
around now because there is dinner to
that to help Abner in the dining room.
Can you mix mayonnaise %
Can II" Neill washed his hands
and pushed back his cuffs
'If you will let me help you a little
I'll forswear any knowledge of you
and your dark plottings in this
Kitchen"
Every WE'LL she laughed merrily,
"only you must fly at the stroke of 4,
SO that you will not scandalize mother
and the girls
Neil never forgot that hour spent
in the kitchen with lovely Rosamond
Finch, with old Heppy nodding her
white,turbaned head approvingly The
girl was a rainbow of co1orful fancies
there was no marble whiteness about
her; a radiant spirit seemed to shine
like flame thru her beauty. Per-
haps she had been waiting for this
prince to awaken her.
That night at the happy. informal