The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-03
Eoenirg Story
Signed and Witnessed.
By MARTHA WILLIAMS

]
"A fine way to talk-after all that's
been done for you" her stepmother an
swered harshly. You seem to think
nobody ever lost a father before. He
was a good man-Fm not denying that
but I do think, after sIavin' and
savin' for him a matter of ten years,
he mighta-seen to it I shouldn't be
left with no dower-nothin' but my
years provision, horse, COW, sow and
pigs and a passed. of house plumber.
He knew didn't-the land went to
| you when he died"
| please don't. You didn't love him, .
| Marcia said YEARLY. You know what
| 1 promised-that you should have a
home here as long as you needed or
wanted it. He felt that was the last
of his debts. I am glad it was the
only one-because it is one I can pay"
''Humphl That isn't worth a
| thanky," Mrs. Lane said sourly.
know-and want the place all to
yourself. I can't blame ye-farmin'
with no man person about is hard
work and losin' business. Lonesome
besides. Buff you mean what you
said I'll make this bargain: Give me
the money I could raise on a DOVER
claim and maybe a speck more-In
set up boarding house in town, take
you along to help-and both of US can
see something besides chickens and
cows and Sech Hke-and be everlast-
ingly done with hired men,"
You know I have not the money"
Marcia answered DULY.
Mrs. Lane shifted audibly. you've
got land, clean and clear-you can
raise money if you will, even tho
you're year under age. Squire Bemis
says so. talked to him about it
waikin' from the graveyard. Fact is,
he offered to lend me $3,000-if you'n
agree to stand for it-said he know'd
your fathers child would keep her
passed word"
Marcia, visibly dropping. sat sud
denly erect, saying energetically: Il
am sorry you spoke to him would
not touch a cent of his money, not if
he made a free gift, and I was start
ing to the other side-of the world
''Hoity toity! So this is how you
live up to what you promised Mrs.
Lane exploded. Marcia faced her
Notwithstanding within had burn
ed away the plant softness of crush
ing grief. That is not true, and you
know it," she said. 81 promised a
home-but not to beggar myself max
ing it to your liking. You know that
would be the end. Father knew; he
would never touch Bemis' money, be-
cause he knew that greedy old spider
wanted the land"
'And now his crazy wife's dead I
reckon he wants you, too Mrs. Lane
retorted. He'll get you, too, If you
don't mind your eye"
n HllSldhS oil UAdACAd SelAN
icily, with a deep flush. Now let's
settle things" she went on. IT shall
stay here at home, head of all things.
You can stay, too-as my guest-so
long as you choose"
WHAT Me take orders from a chit
like you?" Mrs. Lane shrieked-
Marcia smiled grinly. IF I give
them" she said. Il hope never to
give one. My hope and wish is that
we may live pleasantly together. Even
IL not fafharfS widow /
know what is due to a. guest"
SPECIFICS with wrath, Mrs. Lane
fIounced away. disappearing in the
bloSsomy intricacies of the orchard. 1t
high and aloof of manner, went to the
guest room as of right, stiffly refus-
ing offers of light and food. But
morning light showed her rumpled
breakfast table, she ate in her finest
company manner, crooking her little
finger delicately over the handle of
her coffee cup, and scrupulously using
the butter-spreader upon her hot bis
cult. After a hearty meal she said
affably: You were just right, Marshy
no need in the world of our cross
Questionin' and jowerin'-better live
in peace. So here's thanky for the
room and keep you offered. I've sold
all my hvestock-shant even keep |
chickens.
'.And I hope you don't mind my |
keepin' my old downstairs room-it's |
a bit bigger'n the company room, so |
will hold all I'm entitled to take. What |
things don't want Specially I'll sell |
as chance comes, giving you the re
fusal Of anything you may want. The
old secretary, for instance-that |
comes down from yer great grand |
papa real an-teek, and worth /
Squire Bemis says he'll give
two hundred for it any day"
You went to him ?" Marcia inter
rupted, holding her temper hard.
Mrs. Lane laughed foolishly. 81
amt got nothin' against his money"
she said. Hell send for the COW
and stuff this mornin'- I put him Off
about the omehoW IL
keeps me so in mind of yer pappy.
in him settin' in front of it, hSgerin,
figgerin'. frownin' all the time
You know what for-to pay debts
for which he was not even bound In
honor" Marcia interrupted.
Her stepmother sighed, murmurfng
yes" then briskened to add:
After I get things all fixed I'm
goin' to take in sewin'-you won't
mind, know want ter be inde-
pendent. tho I do believe you'd clothe
as well as feed me if you had to-
at would rather do it than have you
turn seamstress,' Marcia answered,
swallowing a lump in her throat
Taking in sewing meant making her
home the center and fountainhead of
gossip, the more unsavory the better
She wanted to forbid it, outright, but
felt that it would be unwise. Better
Mrs. Lane than strange woman
she could not possibly live alone-even
setting the Bemis complication out of
account. So she gave in about every
hing but the secretary-that, she said
n a voice of steel, she must and would
have for herself.
Not only because she loved it-a
all, fine piece of cabinetry, wrought
rom native walnut and ebon with
age She had somehow an imperative
sense of being hidden to keep It Sit
ing before it the old days came back
dear days. when she had been her
'ather's comrade and consolation for