The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-17

short skirts. patted his arm Familiarity
and-wel, Frank said she would have
been the very best sort, if she had not
smoked cigarettes on the quiet. But
at any rate, she did not read novels,
and she said she hated spoOny men.
When Clarice heard the gossip she
/ shut herself UP with a new paper back
! ed novel entitled, Through Loves
/ Purifying Flames" and emerged in the
firm belief that the heroine Of the tale
had never suffered tenth as much as
her abused self
So things moved, or rather dragged,
their tiresome way until the Judsons,
social magnates OF Hillboro, gave their
fancy dress ball. Frank had about de-
cided to send his regrets. Nella Webb
was not on the Judson calling list and
of course, he argued, it would not be
exactly loyal for him to go where Nella
was not invited. That morning Ted
4 Rector dropped into the store to have
his skates oiled and tightened. Teddy
/ had not permitted the little family un-
! pleasantness to interfere with his
! friendship for man who was an au-
/ thority on sports
I could have this done at home"
he confded to Frank, only nobody has
time to notice me. Every bOdy's work
ing on Clarice's dress for Judson's par
4 ty. She's going to be Queen Elizabeth
\ Gee, you ought to see the ruffle she's
going to wear round her neck And
jaw Hughes is going to be Sir Walter
1 Raleigh, the chap that lays down his
cloak for her to walk on. I heard him
| tell her there wasn't a coat in all Chris
tendon good enough for her to walk
on"
Fool" muttered Frank. giving
webbing screw vicious twist.
That's just what 7 think" rejoined
Ted. Hes the mushiest ever. Don't
see why you let him cut you out with
T Clarice ] don't want him for
brother"
Frank scowled over his work all
morning, jumbled his orders to the ut
ter distraction of the delivery force, and
finally knocked off work early in the
afternoon and went into executive ses-
sion with Mrs. Deems. the seamstress,
whose geraniums had been one source
of discord between him and the girl Of
his heart.
The night of the Judson masquerade
4 the entire Rector family gathered in
solemn conclave to watch the fair
Clarice receive the finishing touches of
her regal costume. There was sharp
twang of the doorbell and Clarice ex-
claimed nervOusly.
oh, dear, he is too early. Teddy you
run down and tell Mr.. Hughes III be
ready in a few moments. Mother. where
is my fan? And, oh, father. you're
sitting on my mask"
Teddy accomplished his errand with
amazing haste and returned with an
He says to read it at once" was
the mysterious message of the excited
boy.
Clarice reached for the note. then
handed it with a nervous laugh to her
mother
4 can't read it above this dreadful
ruff"
pear Lady" it ran. May I crave
the favor of few words with you, ere
we start? The time is short. Come to
me quickly oh, Queen. Yours,
Just like a real play said easy
: going Mrs. Rector. as she gathered up
her daughters train and started her
safely down the stairs.
But Clarice was not so eomplacent
by half Oddly enough she was say
ing to herself s'I hope it is Just part
of the play. jay has been getting very
silly of late.
As she went into the parIor and
! glanced at the mirror to make sure
that her abominable ruff was not slip
ping off, a gallant looking figure, clad
all in purple and violet, from silken
hose to mask. bowed low before her.
Queen of my heart. before a score
/ Of knights WOO your favor"
Clarice felt very hot and uncomforta-
bic. She drew back her hand he had
clasped, and looked nervously about
! her. as the counterfeit Raleigh knelt at
, her feet.
! I'll thought you were going to wear
crimson" she murmured inconsequent-
~.
Every true knight wears his lady's
= colors," murmured the man before her,
1 as he clutched desperately for the hand
{ which she was now holding behind her.
2 ''Clarice my queen, I love you
Clarice was backing toward the door.
Please. Jay, don't be silly. You'll
4 spoil all the fun If you act like this. Be
, sides, I really don't care about you
The knight in violet struggled to his
, feet
Yes, you do. Clarice. dear. and il
4 you'll forget that I was a boor-"
r The mask fell off. and Clarice gave q
startled little cry
! Frank. how could you2"
i because I love you-and I want &c
1 tell you so-every day and all the time
I ought to have told you so over and
over again, only I thought you under
stood
Il did understand. but I wanted t.
2 hear you say it. Oh, Frank. I've missed
Z you dreadfully.'
A moment later the bell pealed again
6, and Ted's voice was waited in from the
Il dark entry:
{. SAY, Mrs Queen, you'd better smooth
g that ruffie round your neck before tbs
next knight comes in, or-or-''
g And that is how it happened thai