The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-22
EOening Story
The Sevres Cup.
BY ROSE MEREDITH


breakfast, with a heart filled with re-
sentiment at the way fate had treated
him. Up to this morning he had glor-
flied in his bachelor freedom, he had
explained airily to his married friends
the carefree life of the unsflackIed
male. He sad that he arose when he
liked, lunched when he liked and came
home as late as he wished and no one
cared. He was happy and contented.
He had said it all last night to Harry
Baker, as Harry drove him home from
a little family dinner party at the
Baker home.
yes" muttered Mr.. Baker reflec-
lively as they whirred along under the
stars, tI1l bet nobody cares a whoop
whether you come home at night early
or late, or whether you come home al
ALI No light in the window for you,
old man, oh, no! Just a dim light in
the hall, and paid servants awaiting
your call. Just wait awhile, you'll
get tired of it a1li''
In spite of his warm protests to the
contrary, Philip Hampton had arisen
this morni- with a sense of some
thing denied him. He thought of the
Baker, remembered the light in Edith
Bakers eyes when she met her hus-
band and his guest. at the station, re-
nnembered the little flock of young
sters who came tumbling from the
house to greet them, little warm, clean
boys and girls.
The dining room looked very cheer
full. There was a touch of frost out
side, and little fire cracked on the
hearth. There was old mahogany,
blue china and brass on the white
mantlepiece, a glitter of glass and sill
yer from the sideboard, a bowl of
chrysanthemums in the center of the
table. All the chairs were vacant ex-
cept his own armchair, drawn up to
the table, where Betsy had placed a
delectable breakfast. He had eaten
his fruit and cereal, and now removed
the cover from the silver dish before
con-Betsy brought in a plate of waf-
files and departed.
Philip scowled at the empty chairs
and attacked the bacon savagely He
finished his coffee and stared mood
lily into his empty cup. 1t was a large
cup of Sevres-hiS cousin Agatha had
selected that set of breakfast china
when he announced his intention of
buying u place in the suburbs and set
ting up his lonely home therein. He
had only been there two weeks and
he was bored to death. He was as
lonely as he could bel He would re-
turn to town-live at his club or a
hotel, where one would not miss fam
lily life.
: Voices sounded from the place next
door. There was "a boy in there,
about ten years old. Philip had a
speaking acquaintance with the fam
but now there was a girls clear tones,
and then a mans deep voice calling
them into breakfast He could i'm
agine that other breakfast table. hap
Ply and full of talk.
Betsy came in and at his request
opened the window. When he was
alone again he still listened for the
voices
''Rose-Rose-catc it, Ow.'' in a
mournfuI bdyish howl, CRASH!
n hr1I ha win dOvx h
pal1 flew, Skinned across the bowl
of chrysanthemums and found a
refuge in@the- big SevreS coffee cup at
Philips elbow. The cup rocked I'M
of spIntered shards the cup fell apart
on the saucer and the brand new base
ball rested on the debris.
= Hampton was angry. He jumped
up and went to the. Window: He
would speak Sharply to the boy and
impress him with the fact that a
suburban lawn was no place in which
to play baseball
He leaned from the window and
confronted two startled faces.
The boy, Jimmy, was staring up
from the other side of the hedge, his
round. freckIed face pale with fright
Beside him was an angel in a. pale blue
frock.
Gee. I'm sorry. Mr. Hampton"
ST am afraid it is my fault, Mr..
Hampton" said the angel in just the
sweet, low voice he admired in wom-
en-, Jimmy told me to catch the ball,
and I didn't. 1 hope it did not harm
Nothing at ALL" lied Philip hand
Just dropped into my empty
coffee cup. Play ban, Jimmy" he
called, and pitched the ball out to the
boy.
Now, Rose, don't you go and take
all the bIame-she always does that,
Mr.. Hampton, she's my cousin, you
know-I fired the ball too high-nc
girl could catch that"
They laughed together over that,
and Hampton stepped out of the win
dow and down to the lawn SO that
he might talk to them more easily.
Rose Ashe was telling him about
long motor trip they had taken the
at the window. She did not see Miss
Ashe. but at the sound of her voice
Philip turned
"Oh, Mister Hampton, somepin
to splinters-I declar to man never
teched it-looka her, sah!" She
reached out a black arm and dis
played the Sevres saucer with its bur
den of shattered cup
Never mind. Betsy-throw it away
II was an accident" he said, turning
red under the clear-eyed gaze of the
-wo cousins.
You were saying that you stopped
1T Far Falls?'' he reminded her.
st am so sorry about the cup" she
at is nothingEplease do not~dis-
.ress yourself" he was beginning, when
Jimmy darted toward his home and
dragging his father.
Come in and breakfast with u.s.,
ne said cordially, after explanations |
had been made. I'VE are late this
a long ride yesterday |
md everybody laid abed. I think my
wife is coming now"
Philip thought of the hearty break
FAST he had eaten, but he decided not
% count it as a meal-it was too lone !
y, besides
with pleasure he accepted