The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-22
A PHILOPENA.

Phyllis was introduced to him at a
dinner dance and straightaway forgot
his existence. Later he recalled him
self TO her notice by dancing with her
one of the absurd figures of a coullion
i'm which they had to eat a philopena.
TT carries me back to my school
days" she laughed
Not so very 1ar back" he insinuated.
oh yes. this is my third season.
Then 1 am right, he persisted. II
should dislike to tell the number OF
seasons that 4 have been INDUCING II
cotlnioas.
Thou hast all seasons for thine own.''
she quoted
Here the figure ended and Phyllis re-
turned to her partner
Who is that man just danced
with2~
Gle is a cousin of our hostess. re-
piled her partner His name is Steph-
EN- jerome, and he has recently come
here from Philadelphia. He is dis
unguished for succeeding in everything
he undertakes"
How fortunater' she exclaimed. 4
just ate a philopena with him. 1 had
taken no interest ia the fact but I shall
now III win be an incentive to bring
failure TO so successful man"
How unklndw
NO; it does person good to be
thWarted occasionally"
don't question your cleverness
-H+AT|a A-1s-t A-AtEf DEl warn you LflL YOU
nave brilliant antagonist; he is a dip
lomat-"
The subject of their conversation ap-
preached with favor. which he offered
TO Miss Courtney
II regret to decline" she said look
lng no at him with shining eyes, bat
you know our phiiopena was give OF
some one claimed her partner and
Jerome appropriated the vacant chair.
We might dispense with the favor -
he suggested and yet have the dance
but . YOU give me the dance / should
De IT, NO. / shall have to await my
opnof lunity 90 take a mean to give
you unawares"
You VIII wait ia vain" she replied.
ITS challenge is it2"
fes' she laughed
II was tempted" he said ~to ALLOW,
nyseit 10 be philopenaed in orde- not to
ego the pleasure OF dance but I
shau fight it out to the sure end.
You are so confident them"
Why should { not be- You saw this
is your third season. [ have hem
counting mine and find it nv thir-
teenth. Should not ten years majority
be to my advantage2"
But 10 is the unlucky number. and
TINS IS the year you win meet your
Waterloo. I see I must leave Won
again.
Toward the end of the evening Phyl-
lis came TO him with q favor which ne
~rNti NrNAA1Af AHAA1E4 20 take.
II didn't expect you to forget So
soon she observed. i simply wanted
me one"
his partner having been favored.
PHYLLIS occupied her chair
want to ask your permission to
caii' he said. You see, in order to test
TINS case thoroughly we must have fire.
quent opportunities TO meet"
cannot give you permission she
call
without it,"
II certainly shall" he replied.
ana ne certainly did. His calls be-
came frequent and informal They met
az lne opera. at dinners and receptions
fnyhs enjoyed the novelty of devotee
VINO could not present her with books
flowers. music. confectionery and invf-
tatons to the theater There was a zes-
20 constantly being on guard and In trf-
uHIpnlhs over ms adroit subterfuges to
induce her 10 take"
She tried various devices to trap him.
but was always met by that slighuv
cynical, irritating smile
MeanWhile, their intimacy grew
amazingly. In spite Of the ever-pres
ent little feeling of mutual strife there
was an irresistible charm in their COM
panionship.
Spring came. and stin they were both
bahled in their quest Their common
acquaintances were aware of their mo-
tive and made the subject an amusing
feature of conversations
One night Stephen Jerome pulled
himself together and acknowledged
that he must be up and doing and bring
matters TO climax He had allowed
himself to drift pleasantly along. easily
rolling her attempts to give hoping to
find her mapping. But he realized that
she was ever on guard and was not
likely 10 forget, so he must resort to
stratagem and force her hand He had
been content with the equal match
through the early acquaintance. but it
was different now. He wanted the
phllopena question settled before he
asked her to give him something Of in
finite more value than a trihine philo-
pena- He gave himself a thorough
mental shaking and worked his wits
out of their sluggish state of inactivity
He pondered until a late hour over the
ways and means. but was compelled
to go to bed with no solution of the
problem
The next morning was Sunday At
breakfast the husband of his cousin
and hostess announced that he was in
disposed, and facetiously rendered to
jerome his office of passing the plate
at morning service.
Jerome began lauehingly to decline.
with thanks, then an idea struck him.
Certainly" he said seriously. II
viii ait once assume my entire com