The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-31
E0ening Story
MoIIy's Luck.
BY HARRIET BRUNKHURsT

II
husband that they'd have to keep 1t.
SWith everything else SO wonderful
ought not to make fuss over a lit
tie thing like that" said Molly, cheer
you are some giriii'' said John,
heartily, giving a ruefu1 look at the
old rocker.
THE fairies look after me every
minute declared Molly. of course
I don't count you as luck-you just
happened. But this absolutely perfect
bungalow vacated just when We need
it in a town where there isn't a house
to rent on any termsi
Then, with furniture so expensive
that I couldn't see any way out, your
father sends along all this lovely old
mahogany. oak and walnut. We are
luckyt7
Barring the rocker" said John. ut
ought by rights to be chopped into
kindling weed. I don't know why dad
saved 1t, except that he always liked
to sit in it on the back porch
Then to- the back porch It goes,
said Molly, stanchIy.
John rushed away then, but Molly
stayed to plan the arrangement of her
newly uncrated household treasures.
First she took the old rocker to the
back porch Since she was alone she
permitted an expression of dismay to
escape Against the Spick-and-span
porch the old chair with it's griTnv
cracked varnish and broken cane was
certainly groteSque.
My neighbors won't like looking at
it," sighed Molly. IF only could
keep it inside and cover it with chintz
but John said the back porch I
might paint 1t white" she added,
CHANGING up she glimpsed a pink
cad inquire upon a neighboring porch
1-hoo-o!" she called gayly.. "Come
on overt"
Mrs Starting. crisply dainty in her
mouse frock' snilingly accepted the
invitation. ,
I'm investigating this old chair. y
explained Molly. Looks like a mis-
take, doesn't it?"
I've always loved those high
backed rockers" said Mrs. Starting.
ours at home was most comforta bile
Ours did not have a carved back" ]sha
added thoughtfully. IT wonder--'S
She tipped the old chair over and
looked at. the unfinished wood be-
It thought sol" she cried. trium-
phant1y. SOLID mahogany"
And 1t is ruined mourned Molly.
wait minute" said Mrs Star
ing, running back to her own house
ana reappearing presently with a bot
tie and a handful of clean rags DE
natured alcohol Watch me make a
magici"
She dampened a rag with the fluid,
then rubbed lightly a small portion
of the grayish, cracked surface of the
chair.
Look" she exclaimed.
A spot an inch wide and two inches
long showed the clean bare wood, the
reddish brown of unfinished mahog-
any. 1t is up to u.s." she said cheer
fully. Stay for luncheon with me
and Wen reclaim this old aristocrat"
IL was a sticky, messy task, and
it was late afternoon before the chair
stood revealed, pure mahogany in its
every stick.
Now 1t needs only a refinishing
coat Of varnish or wax" said Mrs
Startling. Then recaning will COM
WAX" said Molly. i've had
enough varnish to last the rest of my
hfe!"
''Still." Mrs Startling spoke thought
fully, "only the Varnish saved it from
ruin thru exposure on the back porch.
so there you are! And it will take
an hour to restore our hands!"
Its very lines seem more grace
full marveled Molly.
Naturally. 1t had a clowns make
up: it couldn't look like ITSELF
Molly nodded assent.
"On Chestnut street there is a blind
man who canes chairs" she said. I'll
send it over there this afternoon and
surprise john
Despite the hour spent upon their
hands John noticed that Molly's were
What have you been doing with
your hands?" he demanded.
"Oh, splitting kindling wood" said
Molly evasively.
THAT is my job" said John. Don't
do it again Shall we stroll over to
the bungalow ?"
mot this evening. I am too tired"
said Molly truthfully.
When they went to their prospective
home for their next inspection Molly
was relieved that John did not remark
upon the absence of the chair.
Where's your kindling wood ?" he
asked.
''Kindling wood?" repeated Molly
va guely as she pulled open a drawer
in the secretary. Then excitedly, ''Oh,
John. look"'
In her excitement over an exquisite
inIaid box she failed to notice a shad-
ow upon Johns face, and he had
cleared It quite away when he asked;
You like the things. don't You?"
''T adore themi" cried Molly. Even
the There she checked herself
without betraying her secret
Johns father came for the wedding
and was proudly escorted to the bun |
yalow. now ready ana waiting for its
occupants.
such a wedding gift!'' said Molly. !
softly. indicating the fine old furni- /
Lure in the pleasant rooms.
"Glad you like it, said the elder |
man hedrt1Iy. LOIS OF young 1OlkS !
wouldn't thank you for unloading old |!
stuff on them
Then with an exclamation of sur
prise he strobe to the sun porch, |
where stood the shining mahogany /
rocker.
Well" he exploded. st should /
.hink something had happened TO nay
Did chair. If that isn't a miracle"
\ John stared, speechless, while Molly /
smiled happily.
ng it in the background somewhere" 1
Johns father said, for you see it was
he first thing this lads mother and |
bought for our house-the very
first. Mind If I sit in it %
You are the only one who needn't |
. slr tia - Lad AEnlI1- asIt L.