The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-28
EUening Story
Stopping at Sally's.

BY LAURA REID MONTGOMERY.
Glenn looked very tired as he closed
the small wooden gate behind him. He
hoped with a hopeless feryency that
Brian would have something started
for their midday dinner.
There was, however, no odor of food
in the air when he entered the kitch-
en-, and a swift glance at the sink dis
closed the pile OF breakfast dishes still
unwashed.
Hello. Glenn. aren't you home
early?' Brian looked up with his swift
flashing smile, then bent his eyes
again to his canvas. had a good
morning. My picture simply leaped
ahead. tell you, Glen, in the years
to come TIL
Glenn tried to get a painful of pota-
toes from the box near the cellar door
without acting inattentive, but Brian's
rowing glance caught him. Cant
you sit down, a minute and listen,
Glenn? All morning I've wanted to
talk to you about the composition
of this"
Clem's patient, honest eyes rested
affectionately upon the thin, vivid
face of his dearly beloved younger
brother. Glenn had been both father
and mother to the art-loving young
Ster and he had as complete faith in
the others talents as even Brian pos
sessed,
Il must get some dinner on, be-
cause have to get back to the ware
AOuScs ne capitalized S0IllHS Oh d kel-
tie of water to heat while he peeled
the potatoes.
Brian painted on in annoyed silence
for a moment and then threw down
his brush; Meals are such an in
terruption," he cried. Il don't feel
hungry"
The smell of paint in the chill. damp
air was overpowering. Brian had,
as usual. forgotten to add wood to the
fire. GO down to the store and get
a slice of steak. Brian; that will give
you a breath of fresh air." advised
Glen, patiently.
Brian had no desire for steak OF for
any food, but he experienced a feeling
of conjunction as he noted how
Clem's square shoulders sagged. Quite
evidently Glenn was already tired out,
and he had long afternoon of lifting
heavy boxes and barrels Nbefore him.
great name you shall have things easy.
You went without a new hat so 1
could get those new paints, and"
Glenn smiled The end of the SEN
tence was lost as Brian, now repent
antly anxious to hurry the meal for
Clem's sake. shot thru the door and
down the path.
There were a number of people in
the little general store waiting to be
served, but the one clerk was still be-
hind the mail boxes sorting out the
mail, which had been delayed. Brian
stood near the door looking at news
paper Oll the counter Wn0n ne nedTQ
his name mentioned.
Yes, Clients bound to lose her. She's
waited seven years now, and Sally's
too pretty a girl to go unmarried. I
heard that Gordon Holloway, has been
calling some, and he bought a box of
candy tied UP with pink ribbons Sat
urday night. Sally's sister had the rib
bon in her hair going to school Mon
day morning" The speaker, an aged
woman with an odd crocheted net on
her curly hair n1ilad wisely sfT
think it's a shame for Glenn is crazy
about her, but with Brian on his
shoulders he'll never make enough to
keep a wife. The idea of Glenn hust-
ling freight all day, and going home
to a cold, dirty house, while Brian sits
at his ease and paints 'Tain't right"
All thoughts of his mornings work
vanished from the young mans mind.
Even the vexed matter of the proper
atmosphere for the vivid-eyed maid
with the green scarf that brought out
the flesh values so wonderfully was
forgotten. His mind was fixed on his
past with an appalling clarity. He had
grown up dependent on good old Glen.
Thru his rather spoiled childhood he
had always appealed to Glenn when
he wished some extra indulgence, and
it had been Glenn who had first noticed
his wonderful skill in drawing, and it
had been Glenn, also, who had sent
away the little picture in colors that
had brought him a small prize Every
bit of pleasant encoura cement he had
received in his home town had been
given him by his brother, and he had
come to take the loving service indif-
ferently-almost as his due. He knew
of Clients love for Sally Waite, and he
had always expected, in his vague, i'm
practical way that they would ultl-
mately marry. That Glenn was losing
his chance with her because he was
supporting a younger brother in I'M
productive idleness he had never
ono 2r-ia f1aI Cd
worked with a feverish haste that
lessened his chances CT success-but
this labor had been of no service in the
little cottage where the dishes often
waited all day for Glenn to attack after
IT, thought Brian in hurt be-
wild ent, always counted on doing
SO much for old Glen when I got to
And as for his pictures" Pansy
was continuing.S "of course they are
mighty pretty, especially those snow
scenes with the red light shining out
on the snow" Here Brian shuddered.
recalling his first efforts. But he'll
be grayheaded before he ever gets to
earning real money. and then where
will Glenn be- He'll be an Cd man
with his girl married to some one else
But" objected the doctors plump
little wife, Brian is an awful nice
fellow. Remember how he tended
Glenn when he had scarlet fever?
never had his clothes off"
Yes, Brian is all right, but he
doesn't use his head. He ought to get
job and paint in his spare time. or
work hard and get enough to go away
and study. He's no call to be hanging
on Glenn"
Brian had a dazed look on his thin,
earnest face as he re-entered the
kitchen He crossed the wooden floor
in two great strides. and took his
brother by the shoulders. What do
Won think Clam came mas the