The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-16
EUening Story
Anne.
BY ROSS MEREDITH.

BY ROSS MEREDITH.
so this is her picture. said Roder-
ick's mother, with a catch in her
voice; ''she is pretty LOOKING, my dear,
but her clothes are outlandish. Not
just in good taste"
-'Mother!" Roderfck gasped a little.
''AlI the girls are wearing sports
clothes, and Anne is so dainty and
sweet, L know you would love her"
A dozen questions lowered on Mrs.
Parker's 1ips-could Anne sew or
cook, could she manage a house?
Could she do anything except dance
all night and trot around from one
pleasure to another? But Sarah
Parker had vowed she would never
interfere with the choice of her chill
dren-she would love them the best
she could, and she had done nobly
with her daughter Sadie'S husband,
who was in the navy, and who had
carried Sadie away with him to the
Pacific coast. But Roderick, the apple
of his mothers eye-Roderick seeking
since he had stepped into his fathers
shoes as the village doctor-a doc
tors wife could not be silly, mincing,
dancing, flipperty- gilbert, like this
Anne! Tears filled her eyes.
Let me tell you more about her.
mother" said Roderick, drawing the
white head down to his broad Shout
der.
mo, no, I cannot bear it, my dear
Do not think L am unkind or that
that L do not want you to be happy
-" She sobbed gently until Roder-
ick had patted her into caimness.
Then he brought her a cup of tea,
and after awhile he carried her off
with him when he made his afternoon
round of calls. Gust hold the lines and
don't let Liz run away" he joked as
he jumped from the smart gray run
about and opened a gate.
But the little gray car was not rest
less that lovely summer day, altho the
white haired old lady in the seat be-
came nervously so. After awhile,
when the doctor did not appear, Mrs.
Parker decided to walk down the
path to the next>g gate and talk to her
FRIEND Mrs. Crabbe. Her rheumatic
knee was quite stiff and a walk would
straighten it out. First one small
slippered foot reached the running
board, then the other, and somehow
a foot slipped and she slid to the
ground in quivering heap. Rod
erick found her and took her home.
There was sprained ankle, and a
feverish condition that worried the
doctor.
The next day a trained nurse was
installed in Mrs. Parker's big-old-
fashioned bedroom. and the strong
minded old lady was meekly. swallow
ing her medicine every hour, and al
lowing the nurse to care for her in
jured foot.
My dear Roderick, Miss wynne is
wonderful she said to her son at the
end of a week.
"A very capable nurse" agreed
Roderick absently, as he looked at the
clinical thermometer thru half closed
eyes.
fresh, and pretty and so Industrious.
my dear. She has made me some
delicious puddings-and she made me
this boudoir cap. Isn't it becoming ?'
Its great, mother! We will soon
have you up and around now"
ri snail take my time-I don't want
to lose Miss Wynne, Roddy. She is
such comfort to me-so companion
able-and always fresh as rose in
her clean white uniforms. She is
more like daughter than paid
nurse" She sighed and looked at
Roderick's tired face. Don't you adj
mire her just little, dear p she asked
He flushed as he leaned over her
pillow. Want me to-" he asked
quizziea1ly.
'Itiwould make me so happy if you
fell in love with a nice girl like Miss
Wynne-so suited to be a doctors
wife,
Il Shall try very hard, mother. but
I am sure you would not want me to
forget my AIMEE
Mrs. Parker closed her eyes and lay
very STILL Presently a tear stole down
her wrink1ed cheek and Roderick,
bending over herr kissed it AWAY.
Don't worry, DEAR he said tenderly,
and as he closed the door behind him
he met Miss Wynne in the hall.
+ The next day Mrs. Parker sent for
her son. ''Roddy," she said bravely,
II am going to ask you to send Miss
WynRe away. She is SO dear that L
am afraid that you might fall in love
with her, and I should never forgive
myself if you did. 1 nave been think
ing about your Anne, and I wish you
would bring her to see me. Perhaps
we can love each other-and your
wife, whoever she may be. will be my
dear daughter"
Roderick took the fraiI form in his
arms. BLESS your dear heart,
mother, I know we are all going to be
moment" He had her down and
stepped to the door.
Miss Wynne," he called.
The little nurse came softly into the
room and flew to her patient sShe
looks flushed and excited-you had
she said.
Doctor Roderick laughed. Mother.
Miss Wynne's name is Anne-Anne
Wynne, do you understand"
Anne? Not your Anne, Roddy =
She sat up in bed and the strong
young arms held her while she looked
into their radiant faces.
Zone and the same, mother, the
only Anne I ever lovedi"
Our Anne" sighed Roderick's
mother contentedly.
Copyright 1922, by The Mcclure News
paper Syndjcate-)
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