Evening star., 1928-01-28
THE EVENING STORY '

With them in their cars. Their names
suited him, too. she supposed.
| He was a great man. they thought
Mebbe he was. She loved him. but she
didn't know what a great man was
like. He knew all about scenery. but
she was plum tired of scenery. She
| liked the cities and the big buildings
+ he brought home TO her on postcards
| She couldn't expect to know much il,
this little mountain town, She ought
! 10 be able to talk to SiaS as the folks
he took sightSeein' talked
Back i'll town they heard the big
clock on the post Office strike 4. SilaS
put the last trout in the basket and
wound up his reel He was thinking
Of the home which he enjoyed TO the
fullest extent of his nature: the
Screcncd-in porch with pots of red ec-
raniUmS scattered about; the kitchen
floor all covered in blue and white oil
cloth; pretty room where Belinda
loved to cook. All the townsfolk said
She was the best cook in Trentyille.
We'll. he'd second that motion.
Belinda put on her bonnet As she
saw him coming. She would lean on
SilaS' arm going home Then tomorrow
or the next day or mcbbe the next some
one would come for him and he would
be gone again: not long trips. but he'd
be gone. She'd put on extra flNlngs
,0night--thc sliced beetS round the edge
of the blue platter that had belon9ed
10 her mother. the tahlecloth with GRO
Cheting on the edge.
= was two days later that an oil
magnate came. Did SilaS know OF a
good cook. n woman of good appearance
and worth? They were TO start that
very night for California Belinda
ClaSped her hands California! SilaS had
never been i'll California! A good COOKE
That request sent her into the house
10 her c~gn quiet room. Would l be
woman of good appearance if ! had on
them beads" She thought. Would
Silas let me go?" Seating herself in her
rocker. she rocked back and forth. The
men had gone FOR more gasoline. She
was safe: no other cook III town could
please Mr.. Cover. Shed cooked trou.
for him time and again. "Mebbe he
was hintin' TO SIlaS that he wants me
10 go. she mused as she rose and took
down her bonnet from the shelf. 'Meb-
he he didn't like 10 ask right out loud.
Now. Indy Petcrkin. YOU go this min
ute. and buy one OF them blue floatin'
sails 10 cover this bonnet and to match
your blue beads They're yours. now.
cause you've got the money you earned
yourself 10 pay for EN-. and don't you
come back empty-handeo again.
1t was the third day out that Be-
linda really dared 10 talk when Silas
came 10 the back seat again 10 keep
her company Mr.. Cover had been
kinder in his praise of her cooking than
usual when she had fried the potatoes
and trout along the way: he had sent
his man back 10 make her more COM
Portable with cushions. He had given
her the first box Of New York candy"
she had ever owned and when they
stopped at the cities and towns she was
10 eat in the Dig hotels: but the cause
Of the silenc, which had possessed her,
which filed her heart with unspeakable
JOY. brought forth such an outburst OF
gratitude that Silas was amazed. IF
you wasn't G great man. SilaS Peterkin.
Mr. Cover wouldn't ever have asked
you to manage his big place in Cali
fornia, and We live right there"
And if didn't have a good pal TO
help me keep up the appearances,
Indy" he answered, I'd never have
accepted the honor my employer be-
slowed"