The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-11
EUening Story
Ia Peabody Takes a Hand.
nv CORONA REMINGTON.

server it could be seen by the flush on
her cheeks and the nervous twitchings
of her fingers that she was laboring
under unwonted excitement. At sup
per that evening her husband and son
were knocked Epeechless by a COM
she thought was a commonplace tone
OF voice:
''Thinkin' bout soin' down to New
ton" she said, gulping half a cup of
boiling coffee TO hide her confusion.
The molasses jar slipped from Pa
sticky, trickling contents on the red
tablecloth before it was rescued.
''Thinkin' bout what. MAJ" he
asked doubtfully.
Peabody. why shouldn't she go?
It's only thirty-five miles and Ma has
MT been that far from home since she
was married, I'll bet, and it's only
want her to see the ocean. It's
great"
Mrs Peabody cast a grateful glance
at her big son and went on with her
planning quite naturally.
Eyes, / was thinkin' I'd visit with
Betty Compton, the little girl that
spent last summer at the Crenshaws
You remember she was gettin' over a
spell of typhoid"
Visit with her. them millionaire
people! Why, she amt asked you.
"I reckon I got the letter right in
my pocket now, and it's the third
she's written askin' me in the last
month. She used to come over here
most every day when you and Joe was
out in the field, and we got to be par
tic'lar good friends"
Sure, I remember her. She's
pretty little trick" remarked Joe, land
If she's asked you: ma. I'd just pick
--rTN
time"
II am going" said Mrs. Peabody,
her tone now quite confident. Be
sides, got little business to attend
TO in town.
That was how It came about that
the following Monday the eastbound
express stopped at Clearview and
picked up a trembling, excited little
figure in black and hurried her to
the big seacoast town.
Don't forget to feed the settin' hen
in Dolly's STALL" she called back as
she waved final Eood-by to her SON.
Settling herself in her seat, a little
feeling Of panic swept over her and
once more she wished that she had
not been quite SO daring. Surprising
ing one of those rushing automobiles
should knock her down and kill her
go rushing right along? A city was
such a wicked place.
But all her anxiety was for nothing,
for Betty did meet her, and instead
OF being knocked down and run over
by an automobile she went whining
along the crowded streets in one of
the most magnificent, luxuriously up
holstered cars that she had ever seen.
MY! Amt this fine?" she sighed,
leaning back comfortably. It never
will be able to stand the old buck
board again. Now tell me about your
trouble with you beau, honey. 1 was
that upset when heard it just made
UP my mind TO come right on to town
SOS we could talk it over"
"Oh, it's dreadful, Mrs. Peabody.
It's all off. That's ALL
You mean you amt engaged to
him no more"
The girl nodded in answer and tried
to check her quivering lip.
What come 'twixt you, Betty?" she
asked, avoiding the young girls eyes.
We've Quarreled over trifle and
I got furiously mad and told him
didn't love him any more and threw
his ring on the floor and rushed out
of the room, but not before 1 heard
him say: If that's the way you feel
there's nothing to be done-I accept
the inevitable"
but you do love him, child, and
you know you do"
ITS too late to talk about that"
the girl evaded.
us he that Henry Winthrop man
that's in the marble business you
were telling me about last year ?"
YES we've been going together
ever since was fifteen"
That was all that was said about
the matter then, but the little old lady
kept thinking it over. 1t was a shame
for a sweet little thing like Betty to
break her own heart, to say nothing
of the nice young mans, simply be-
cause she was as proud as Lucifer ana
HoI
When she had been in Newton some
three or four days Mrs. Peabody de-
cided to go on shopping expedition
all by herself; but she would return
she promised. Betty's car was at her
disposal, and Mrs. Peabody felt very
much like a millionaire herself as
she gave her directions to the chauf-
feur. Reaching the first address. she
went into a tall office building and
at last gained an audience with the
person she wanted to see.
Pm a friend of yours, Mr.. Win
throp," she began hurriedly. even If
you don't know me, and I want you
BILE and she needs help. Will you
forget your pride and come with me2"
Quick; is it scrious?" he asked,
jumping up and starting for his hat
Cant tell you that; it may be.
You can go in the car with me-"
Tense and white faced, he followed
her out of the building and into the
limousine. Not a word was exchanged
on the way home. They hurried up
the front steps and Mrs. Peabody
forced him to wait in the drawing
room a second. She returned almost
Immediately with Betty by the hand.
When they saw each other both near
ly collapsed
ct thought you said there was
something the matter with herr the
man said at last, regaining himself.
There is said Mrs. Peabody. hold
ing on to the sQuirming Betty. She
told yon a story and it's killing her.
She said she didn't love you any more,
and she owned up to me she did"
Betty wriggled and tried to escape,
then turned and buried her face on
Mrs Peabody's shoulder. She beck
q. l.. Il. Il A