The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-31
Euening Story
Danger Next Door.
IA n RAY BAkER.

I
/ Immersed in retrospection, and the
reverie concerned the woman who
| had meant everything seven years
ago-Wilbur's mother. There had
] been a vestige of a smile about John
| face during the bordering, but now ne
| frowned reproachfully and berated
himself in severe terms. 1t must not
! happen again, because it was a sacr1-
lege against his creed. For John Ran
som was a misogynist, made so by
those seven years of breeding.
He checked a yawn and wondered
what had brought him from the grasp
of semi-sleep- Enlightenment came
in the form of a "hello!" 1t was Del
lowed by the, lusty lungs of his ro-
bust son, who had been conducting
circus with stuffed animals and
wooden clowns in the room set aside
for his play.
The father stole quietly into the
playroom, where animals and clowns
sprawaIed in ungainly attitudes on the
floor, with legs and arms extended
stiffly in a variety of directions. This
did not seem inappropriate for the
clowns, but for dignified creatures
humiliating. Wilbur stood at the
window. making energetic gestures
with his arms. apparently trying to
signal some one.
In the window opposite. in the
house next door, was framed a vision
wreathed in golden hair be-ribboned
to match her garb. She was smiling
winsomely and invitingiy, her head
to. one side, as she tried to interpret
Wilbur's weird pantomime-
Come away from that window"
John called -peremptorily. when he
realized the danger confronting his
son-that a vampire had begun OPP
erations while the father slept at post,
as it were.
10 1o7 xz-i1l,,y FROM +ba poiut of
peril and into the library. where he
sat and looked his son over with frank
disa approval. The youngster was too
attractive, but that could not be rem
edied. 1t was not strange that van1-
pIre had started to work. Wei. there
were things that could be remedied.
The blouse was an unnecessary evil.
and a real boys shoes should not be
SO nicely laced. and his hands and face
were too wei scrubbed Confound
expected to look after the boy, as well
as the house. but not to make a cox
comb out of him.
You stay away from the house
next doori" John ordered. Don't
you ever let me catch you over there.
had a new baseball hat and glove,
isn't it? I'll get them tomorrow"
The idea of keeping Wilbur from
the company of girls was no mere
the unfortunate experience with Will
bur's mother seven years ago, when
certain legal papers had been signed
and she had gone west, where later
she had died.
Now, Wilbur was accustomed to
obey orders; and he faithfully
Stunned the house next door. But his
father had said nothing about keep
ing folks away from the Ransom
premises. and John came home from
the office one afternoon to discover
his son playing with the pink-clad
girl within the confines of his own
fence. He lost no time in dragging
Wilbur into the house, having sum-
marily dismissed the new-found play
mate, who made faces with the aid of
her tongue and nasal organ.
who is she?" demanded the
father. "I'll have to see her mother
about it,
Her names jefferson" Wilbur ad-
mitted, squirming uneasily. "She jes'
in the other day. Her mothers
a dressmaker. and she hasn't any
father. He got drowned or some
thing"
A few days later Wilbur came
from school in company with the
girl next door-and he was Juggling
Il couldn't help it. pa" Wilbur
pleaded. ''She jes' tagged after me
and handed her books to me. Be
sides, 1 kinda like her. What's a
fellow going to do?"
Don't worry about what a fellows
going to do" John admonished.
IN do the doing. You leave 1t TO
me. In the meantime. I see Skinney
Garrison and Bill Reed approaching,
and you had better go out and play
with Them
Il don't want to play with those
ellows." Wilbur protested. They're
too rough. 1t always ends up in a
fight, with one of them sitting on my
neck. They're older and bigger"
John knocked the ashes from his
pipe and stood up.
That's what you need, son. You
go and play with Skinny and Bill; and
you sit on their necks. Send them
home with black eyes. When they
get rough. get just a little rougher
yourself
So Wilbur went to answer Skinny's
whistle, while John Ransom pulled a
cap down firmly over his forehead
and made his way to the mouse next
door. He had determined to tell the
little vampires mother a thing or two
about his wishes in regard to Will
bur. He felt like Daniel entering a
den, but Wilbur must be saved at any
cost from the peril that lurked next
door.
pounded vigorously on the door, which
was opened by a woman of perhaps
thirty. She was plump and her hair
was done up plainly. vet attractively. |
1t was nice brown hair with beautiful
touches of red. She was not such a |
looking person, but you
never can tell.
My name is John began, |
more civilly than he had intended.
Yes, I know" she interrupted |
sweetly. You're my next door neigh !
Dor. How do you do? Really.
didn't expect a call SO soon. But |
come right in
John Ransom wanted to remon- |
strate. but he felt himself carried in |
to the house by force more ire |
sistible than physical strength
While he ranted at himself under |
his breath for hainr q weak old fhnl- :.