The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-13
Ebening Story
Feeding Cupid.


Rose glanced about her wistfully as
she walked up the little wooden walk
leading from the gate TO the gray stone
that stood in front of the tiny cottage.
The long parlor stretching across the
south front with its wide windows
brought back memories of the invalid
father who had spent so many hours
in the. sunny room looking out at the
village street.
NO." she decided. ST shan,t sell it.
1 cannot bear to think of any stranger
in that room. L wish I could get some
boardersH then could stay home and
putter about my kitchen instead of
going to the city. But I can't live on
nothing, and maybe I can save enough
to come, back here summers"
Rose had taken domestic science at
high school, and when she spoke of
trying to get boarders her old friends
had laughed at the notion
Why, Rose, country people like
good plain food. You learned to make
cream puffs and nut salads and all
that fluffy stuff. and, anyway, who
would board with you? We all have
our own houses to live in
81 know it," returned the girl doubt
fully. Even the teachers live at
home, but She lapsed into ST
lence, turning over the ever-present
problem in her mind.
HOW COulQ SDG stay DIT uO1IlG WITHOUT
getting into debt? The cottage had
been closed while she had finished
school in the next town, and her uncle
in Pontiac had advised her to sell, but
this she was reluctant to do.
Its almost impossible for me to go
to church." complained plump Mrs.
Belts as she stopped in to talk with
Rose. Getting the children ready is
enough for a body to do, but to try
and get things in shape for a quick
dinner is"
'"Why don't you have a fireless cook
err and put yours dinner in there2"
asked Rose, who was invariably help
Mrs. Belts rocked vigorously: 81
Just knew you'd come back full of
theories, Rose. These newfangled
things sound all right, but my mother
cooked on big hard coal range, and
that's good enough for me. suppose
you'd like a washer, too, to do the
work for you instead of honest rub
bing?"
''Why, of course I would" Roses
face dimpled at her old neighbours dis
may; They are much easier on the
clothes and no strength is required
1 know that homework can be made
simple by little headwork. The men
don't do things the way their fathers
did. They use machinery on the farm
and have leisure time where a farmer
uSeQ 10 WOIk COHSldull4.
You'd make good housewife,
Rosie, you have so much enthusiasm
for the common things of life" sighed
Mrs Belts, who had once had a four
line poem published and who had
since languished for fame. 81 like to
let my thoughts soar on better
things
81 have a fireless cooker. Say, sup
pose you all come to dinner here Sun
day at o'clock. then you won't have
t to bother before church and I hate TO
eat alone. I'll be going away soon
and I'd like to have little party here
first. Suppose 1 have as many as
can get in" Roses blue eyes twin
killed. at the pleasure in the others face
and she lost herself in mental calcula-
tions as to the number she could seat
in the parlor.
Sunday morning the invited guests
stared in amazement as they saw Rose
lin her accustomed place in churchs
Jim Deering, who had heard of the
party at Roses house, smiled grimly
as he saw her. He had been a staunch
admirer of hers, but he too had heard
of the domestic science course and
had decided that the girl would be too
high notioned for common mans
wife. shed be serving angel fool
when a man wanted pork and beans.
like an old fashioned girl who can
make a home"
Rose, you didn't forget about the
dinner, did your" little Mary Belts
tugged 1.-THE girls arm as She went
down the aisle after services.
mo. Be there at o'clock sharp
smiled the girl.
Jim Deering, just ahead. turned at
didn't get an invite to your farewell
party" he suggested.
The cool mention of her departure
stabbed Rose, but she rallied, con-
scious of the smiles about her Come
to dinner. if YOU like she said. trying
to speak casually; you won't get
much, tho"
He looked down at her trim suit
and soft hat, with its dropping brim,
and sighed. She was mighty attrac-
tive, but he needed a wife who would
be a home body. "T1l be there" he
said.
The dinner was a surprise. From
the delicately Drowned round, of beef
to the thick apple pie, with real cream
over it, the meal was perfect.
BEST coffee I ever drank" re-