The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-09
'EOening Story
Wanted-A Man.
BY MARTHA McC. WILLIAMS.

Kissed cut >long "O-h-h!" followed
by a frosty smile and Pardon, I
didn't dream you were interested
there"
81 am not---the way you are" Sarah
Fsaid, coloring hotly. Il do like the
old gentleman; he's nice even when
he's tifesome. If he were not I should
make him welcome for my mothers
sake He knew her as girl, and
tells me so much about her nobody
else can tell"
81 see; an hereditary romance,
Miss Rean commented. smiling from
the teeth out, only she was furious.
Sarah, tall and twenty, vigorous mus
Fcular, with clear, deep-seeingseye and
unafraid even of Mrs. Grundy, was
likely to prove a lion in her path.
p Or rather the path of the beautiful
scheme she had mapped out before
coming to Windmead. Its cornerstone
was gossip vaguely heard of a man
there, old, lone, fabulously rich and so
accessible. all that saved him from
coming to want was the fact that he
could not spend aught but the income
from his big estate. Further, he could
not divert nor parcel out the income
thru settlements-gifts had TO be
made of cash after the money had &C
crued. Thus astute and faithful trus-
tees had SO far saved him the orgies
seduced into. but he gave enough and
so freely as to make him worth at
tention.
Miss Dean was of those workers in
the vineyard of progress who feel
worthy the highest possible wages 'all
the traffic will bear" a keen nose
for opportunity had led her at the
welfare convention held fortnight
back to cultivate unknown provincial
delegates, especially those who ap-
nv nd he
won the heaft of Mrs. Linton. Sarah's
devout sister-in-law, and been asked
to visit Windmead for at least
month. Miss Dean had accepted for
she learned next day that the Lin
tons were friendly neighbors of old
Capt. johnson, she began making her
plans for an easy and profitable sum-
mer.
Sarah owned Windmead, but gave
herself no airs of proprietorship.
Brother Jim was her pal and mentor
because she loved him so dearly she
triee to feel more than tepid fond
ness for Molly, his wife 1t was an
effort, but she did not let the fact ap-
pear. 1t was only to the old captain
she ever even spoke truth, saying: IF
it weren't for her ballast of piety
Molly is so light the first big wind
would blow her clean away"
Thereat the captain had chuckled
merely pretending to frown. But next
day he had said irrelevantly: What a
pity, Sarahkin, you can't divide brains
with Mrs. Molly. If you could should
not have so much trouble in thinking
up a match for you. The country boys
are pretty much clodpoles, the town
fellows sissies. I've great mind to
advertise. 'Wanted-A real man."
DO, pleaset'' Sarah had entreated.
Find him and IA agree to take him
sight unseen, provided he measures up
tO yOIlr naffPrn Otherwise nOthin'
doin'-''
What a shame I have no grandson
or else could cut out fifty years or so,
the captain had answered. signing.
IN never insult you by saying Will
you be an old mans darling. You are
not for sale. Pity your mother couldn't
overlook the thirty years difference.
you might be my daughter, but
didn't try to change her mind; she
loved another man, and 1 knew it,
TN adopt you illegally as my grand
pap" Sarah had answered, masking a
sigh with laugh. Memory of all this
made her flush a lovely scarlet at the
Dean insinuatiOn. She hated herself
fos blushing until she caught an ex-
ultant CLEAN in the Dean eyes.
1t reused her protective instinct.
She said lightly: "Oh, no romance at
all; just the basis for a nice business
arrangement I adopted him as
grandfather some time back. We will
y
That won't be like the other way
round. If he adopted me 1 might in
herit a tidy fight for his fortune. In
default of blood heirs it goes to COL
leges and things. He won't have a
chance of ever coming into Windmead.
I shall make a new will as soon as we
settle things. Besides, you know, real
estate meyer goes back"
4 wonder what standinG a wife
would have?' Miss Dean said pensive-
hall Of
the equator" Sarah said recklessly.
But why speculate idly? I won't
marry the captain. and he surely won't
marry anybody else"
About that we shall see," Miss Dean
said, but inaudibly to her inner con-
away wrapped in silent meditation.
Then tricksy Fate took to raw
double-dealing all round. She laid the
captain by the heels with lumbago
honor at a wedding a hundred miles
away.
Sarah meant faithfully to write ev=
cry day at least to her old dear She
hated writing, but did really keep
faith the first day. After that she
was so held and hindered anything
but postals was impossible. Long dis
lance was small help. Captain could
not get to the phone; besides, getting
connection was a work of so much
Tune anu pOlAl6E II SSSlLG0 IOL MOIll
while Thus fate unfairly cleared the
way for Miss Dean, gifted letter
writer as ever put words on paper.
She went daily with Molly to ask after
the captain, but could by no means
be persuaded to set foot in his house.
Instead she sent in letters-her very
best brand. Fairly written. full of
but not maudlin, touched
lightly with humor and breathing
thruout subtly her desire to help in
making the world and the race better.
This not at first-not until the cap
tain, who found diversion in answer
ing courteously her sendings. himself
invited light upon her plan. After
that the deluge. She was far too
adroit for outright solicitation, but
her suggestions were double shotted
and went home straight. The cantain