The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-05
'Euening Story
Loren's Ideal.

BY NJ. McCULLOCH-WILL
"Humphl OFF on a nan-hunt. I'd
be ashamed-rhut then some folks are
too shameless for anything!" Mrs.
Crane calculated. acidly, at sight OF
the Eaton car, with Loren at the
wheel, luggage-laden, and headed for
open county. Myrtle Crane, aged
twenty-seven. pursed her lips and let
her eyes follow her mothers Both
were filled with speculation plus envy.
Yet the Cranes had a better car, bet
ter clothes, rather more money than
the Eatons-and only themselves to
maintain. Equitably they ought to
grudge their neighbors no whit of the
merry and modest comfort they en-
so much more popular-Loren espe-
cialiy quite eclipsed Myrtle in all COM
panies-there was perhaps some color
of reason for their bitterness.
f'.what wonder is-who's the game
this time?" Mrs. Crane went on, her
accent musing: II asked Toby when
he fetched the milk last evening where
his Pa and Loren were going next
time but he grinned, foolish-like, say
ing he didn't know. As if boys ever
didn't know anything they wanted to
find out"
'.rn call up Mrs Brewer; her shop
knows all that happens anywhere"
Myrtle said picking up the receiver.
Two minutes later she nodded to her
mother. saying: she isn't sure-but
it's either Fernwood or Cross-Cut-"
That means Tommy Page or Sam
Wesley" The mother Crane inter-
rupted: They're welcome to Tommy
but I do say and always will, it's
a shame about Sam. a real fine fell
low ought to be let do his own court
ing
questioned smiling covertly. Granny
Crane still held against Myrtie's
mother that Joe, her own son. had
been married rather against his will.
All the summer world seemed sing
ing to Loren-therefore she sang with
it, not loudly, but barely above breath.
Now and then she all but chuckled,
thinking how she had mystified gossip
as to her destination 1t was none of
| the hospitable homes where she and
| her half-invalid father were always so
eagerly welcomed. but small. brown
| house, in the foothills, with tum-
bling brook hard by and a stretch of
| low, misty distances toward the east.
fDad was not going 10 fish-he left all
the hard work to Loren. by his own
account-but to loaf under trees, list
| ening to the singing birds and bath
| ing his tired consciousness in the bliss
of absolute rest A conscientious
| Judge, he got the wear of two years
from each term of service.
| 1t was Loren's doing. this running
laway to the wilds. She had made
touch with the little, brown house
thru its ruling spirit, farmers
daughter, who had with gallant blum
ldering worked her way thru two
years at high school in the village.
Loren had helped her. given her good
food and safe shelter in return for
what sh. could do in her free time.
Now that she was married, with a
home of her own, she was only too
Iglad to welcome and cherish those
who had made her less a servant than
a friend
| No other house was in sight save
down = the far distance. But up
Iaround the brooks bend there was a
sprawly building. haunted interinit-
Itently by sportsmen from March to
November. They never bothered any,
body. said kindly Mrs. Anna-eame
in ones or twos or half dozens,
minded their own business. liberal as
icould be and ready to help at need.
So the judge smiled whimsically at
his daughter, saying: mo chance for
any flirting-these apparently are
sports rather than men. If we stay
the three weeks out. fear you'll for
lget how to say No That would be
a calamity-eh, ?"-to their
Hostess: you know her tricks and
manners of old-her swarm of fol
ilowers-and that my mind is firmly
lmade up not to spare her to any OF
Them"
| Don't blame ye-nobody cam
Anna laughed. I'D know which OF
YOU'D be worst lost without the other
But ally big and little. hang to her
so hard and fast, anybody that wants
her ought to want the whole family
/ He can't have it," said the Judge
with a grin.
| Loren shook her finger at him
You wait. Til land a millionaire, u
she said. "Since suffrage, it's pretty
well settled women can get whatever
they go after. Such genius as I am
for adaptation to poverty will surely
be entitled at forty odd to claim
riches as a right"
"A million with a man attached
is that your idea of happiness?" the
Judge asked bowling. Exactly" said
his daughter. But. having a liberal
soul. / won't refuse him IL he has two
millions or even five"
| And just then Fate stepped in with
a man worth the five millions; he
stood at the door, a lost and lonely