The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-04
EDening Story
Lee-Ander.
BY MARTHA Nice. WILLIAMS.

/
BY MARTHA Nice. WILLIAMS.
whats his chance?" DR.. Helm
asked of Tommy Barton, nodding to-
ward a couple whirling in the newest
two-step.
Lets see. About fifty fifty, . Tommy
| said 5udicially. I'D say odds on,-only
she's widow"
Therefore wise and wary" Helm
chuckled. well, luck to Leander. He
deserves it for having to support that
name all these years. if for nothing
''You mean let it support him."
quoth Tommy, his nose wrinkling a
bit.
How dye make that?" from Helm.
Tommy looked panied. "A blind
man ought to see,'' he said, with
grandmothers all but fighting as to
how he should be called. Grandma
Green is bent on making him Lee,
Grandma Towle as hot to have him
Andy. ' Each subsidies him literally
10, embrace her view, especially when
after his losing out at everything he
lays 1t all to the fact that folks have
no confidence in a fellow with one o
these fancy names"
Eve heard of being hag-riddenI"
Helm chuekled harder, but be hanged
II 1 ever knew another man granny
ridden. How'd he happen to the fancy
na'me?"
"'Twasn't a happen-dead set pur-
pose," from Tommy oracularly. "One
grandpa, you see, was Leviticus,
t'oth~r one Andrew. The names were
sort of married to keep peace in the
families. as there was no chance of
another Green boy. Leander came
into the world fatherless, and the only
son of an only SON."
"H-mi Who wised you up SOP
Helm demanded. 1t was Tommy who
chuckled. replying: Earned wisdom.
doctor. Grandma Towle has been Wis
iting us regularly all the year-what
she hasn't told me of family matters
could be written on your thumbnail
and leave room Tor more"
What meanness you two up to
now?" Anne Saxton asked, coming
behind them. Talk of women gos-
sips" she went on; why you beat a
sewing circle without haf trying. AL
ways picking on somebody-tell me,
who is the last victim %
Ourselves" Helm ccuntered
promptly. Not saying but feeling
what fools we are to let that whipper-
snap Leander carry off a fine woman
like Mrs. Dan Taylor, right under our
noses"
Shameful. I admit" Anne said.
with the least toss of a very nice head
One set well on handsome shoulders
and massed all over with wavy Titan
hair. Young looking for thirty,
Tommy and the doctor. both highly
eligible bachelors, had been rivals for
her favor all of ten years. Hence the
implication regarding Leanderfs
widow. Anne understood it perfectly
and laughed over it, inside. She was
really fond of both men-so fond she
sighed sometimes, why wasn't I born
twins?" Nobody answering herr she
decided it was part of the general
grudge Fate bore~all lone women with
a pretty taste in mates. She ought to
marry-that she knew as well as any
body, But how to take one when the
taking might mean heartbreak to the
other?
her demure: Cant either of you
rescue a lady? Seems to. me Mrs
Taylor must be terribly fed up with
green stuff right about now" In the
laugh that followed this sally she
made a dignifled retreat. her eyes
withaI twinkling wickedSs, as She
looked BAG kat Tommy, and waved her
hand to his. fellow-sinner
What would you give to shake her
Hard as she deserves?"
Helm demanded under breath. Tommy
muttered something and walked away.
In his heart he was saying: Almost
as much as to kiss her. She is the
very devil for aggravating you-but-
We love her aggravations."
What struck you blind, Tommy
passed close to her without apparently
perceiving her neighborhood. Sea-
soned as he was, Tommy started a lit
tle-he had not meant so to lose his
sense of everything. Mrs. Taylor
sometime Mary Drake-had been a
good pal. back in their remote youth.
Sentiment had not touched them then
nor ever. He had been the first to
kiss the bride and wiring Dan Taylors
hand at the wedding-moreover, he
had sent the handsomest present of
all, and been the favorite visitor thru
out the five years of happy married
life. So he was not loath to walk
with her away from the dancing, find
cosy double seat, and after estab-
fishing her to her mind. and his own,
.-Molly-you were always a wise, bird
Spill little of it now for my benefit
about-well, about-almost anything"
Meaning Anne" Mrs. Taylor said
with a roguish smile Tommy Bar
ton, you are the blindest idiot living
always excepting old Joe Helm. You
two are wasting your lives-rather
letting Anne waste them for you. She
ought really to be indicted for monop-l
oly-husbands are as necessary-ai-
most-as clothes And besides you
elderly simpletons she has a string
law
who's been telling you?' Tommy
interrupted. She frowned, but mer-l
rily. answering: 'Leander-of course.
And-actually he prides himself on
not running after her-told me to-
night his wife would, never have it
thrown up to her that she was wearing
Anne Saxton's old shoes"
THAT reminds me to ask: /. What
are your Intentions regarding him ?''
Tommy again interrupted.
"Only to tolerate him while my visit
here lasts" Mrs. TayIor flung back.
You see. unless I'm up to all the ms
and outs of everybody I'll be worse
than a bull in a china shop. All the
folks know seem to be ready to sta1s
each other in the back-or the front,
der and the grace of God hope to
get away safe"
ssI see vo11 uanf Ms to keen vn11r