The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-11
Euening Story
Sour>Grapes.
RY MARTHA McC. WILL

real life. indeed" Miss Maitland
sighed unctuously to Professor Grant,
lifting her eyes, then instantly drop
] ping them as tho abashed by such ap-
proach to self-revelation. She was,
1 by estate, a spinster of uncertain age,
80 in her own rose-Hghted parlor.
something far beyond that in plain,
iuneQuivoca1 daylight. BY profession
Iic.-hunting was her speciality. Since
she was more than rich and in the
very forefront of clubdom, she had
| splendid chances for her favorite pas
\ time.
But like John Gilpin's wife, she had
a frugal mind. Other folk might ex-
/ trava gantlx dine and wine and make
| house-guests of visiting celebrities
| the town went in for culture up to It's
elbows-but she confined her efforts
| to afternoon receptionsS they were TOO
elaborate to be classed as teas.
Since she had her pick of the lions
| the receptions were not too many
three at most in a season, but they
gave her liberty to be among those
view or hearing in other houses. Her
guest list was highly catholic; being
highbI ow reformer to the BONE She
mace IL a point of ringing in now and
again some one of her tradespeople-
milliner, caterer. florist, whatnot-
and showed them a fine high courtesy
that made the new-rich stare.
She belonged, you see, to the hold
ers OF unearned increment-there
were three generations between her
and the ancestral blacksmith whose
shop had grown up into big pillow
factory. OF course, the folk who kow-
lowed to her saw in these casual
guests proof of her sincere democ-
racy, her excellent heart-no less. But
there were captious ones who sneered
that she had more substantial rea-
sons; that such invitations were paid
for in discounts and special privi-
leges. But they were nothing COM
pared to the unbelieving multitude
which was wont to say of her favorite
platitude, Love is the law of my be-
ing that it was gospel truth, since
Miss Maitland loved nobody but her
self. Her money, of course. being inn
personal, ranked above humanity.
Orphaned ten years at least, and
without brother or sister, she lived
alone in grand, rather gloomy house,
set in a wide yard at the top of the
aYenue-the towns finest street. FL
speth Cameron, her cousin companion,
of course did not count. A small,
mousey, faithful person, lacking other
shelter. with barely enough income to
clothe herself scantily. and neither
training nor opportunity for work, she
was Cousin Annals willing and CRATE
full slave, effacing herself joyously
at need in the other woman's service.
O4A0 SOI III ICluEl1 d IlOL lOA-
eranee, many half-worn garments and
a sort of moonlight social position.
Cousin Anna was glad to have Ell
speth included in invitations, but
adroit in so arranging things that they
could rarely be accepted. Elspeth,
you see, was like the paying guests
with a difference, that she paid as
sign manual of Miss Maitland's philan-
thropy. This, in addition to being
secretary, seamstress in extraordinary,
rf,-T vi of fl,ol
servants. was no bad return.
Elspeth's heart sank sometimes at
thought of her future if Cousin Anna
should marry. But she bravely
small jests as to wooers her benefac-
tress purred under. Miss Maitland
had truly had beaux a plenty-but for
the most part they had evidently been
captives to her rent roll and bank ac-
count rather than her charms.
Despite a hawkish nose and tight,
thin-lipped mouth, she was not ILL
looking in full regalia- Stately things
suited her almost oriental darkness
SO did the glow and flash of jewels.
and the softenings of rich fur Also
her background set off all these
things. So it is not strange she had
rather taken the visiting professor by
storm-he was tallish, lean and good
tempered, a widower of long standing,
and verging now upon forty-five-the
perilous years of indiscretion for the
male of the species, running thence to
the coffin lid.
Likewise he had impressed Miss
Maitland. She was aWeary of single
life. of queening it in her provincial
environment. The atmosphere of a
big college appealed strongly TO her
So she had given her in |
tending sutton glance for glance, sigh |
for sigh, and was fully persuaded to
accept him when next he came to |
town. matter still indefinite in date |
but sure to happen.
The two of them made a fine, stately |
furnished-dark carving, rare rugs. |
much FURNISHED silver and cleaning |
glass. to say nothing of a fine antique /
nantei and really creditable pictures /
hung sparely above the wainscot.
Just now 1t was at its best-candle- |
lit with a long table running cat-a-
cornered, and all too crowded with /
eats of the best. 1t was decorated |
with fruit-the center piece a mound
Of dollhouse grapes, cleaning, trans
lights
Somehow the grapes fascinated
Grant. He had eaten a hasty, very
greasy luncheon after the morning
lecture, washing it down with thirst
liquids, and punctuated the
drinking with olives. So when the
hostess excused herself at some urgent
reckoning he set down the heaping
plate which had been thrust into his
hands plucked q grape, ate it with
such satisfactory results he ate on arpl
IN, quite oblivious of staring eyes all
bout. Presently his thirst somewhat
Ilaked. he moved toward the farther
md of the long room, where, Slightly
by portieres. he stood ex-
tmining narrowly a picture Just above
lin. The portieres masked an open
loor that led to the buffers pantry.
where were all the reserve edib1es.
Toices came thru it, hushed but dis
met One was a groWly bass, the
'ther q piping treble almost a whine.
rhe bass voice said Mechanically:
You tell her she's got to pay; I'm
lean tired of all this shenanigan.