The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-18
THE EVENING STORY
Her Rank Account.


Elizabeth woke up that morning
with a determination to save her
money. She reviewed the excuses of
her past with a contrite heart.
STILL" she apologized to herself, 81
had to do things right while Nan was
here"
Nan had left the day before. She
had almost left on six previous Oc-
casions. That is, she and Elizabeth
mad got to the point of two farewell
luncheOnS, three farewell drives and a
farewell matinee with an automobile
ride afterward. Life had begun to
look like a continuous series Of ex-
pensive last occasions.
But the unexpected is always hap
pening. Nan left.
Elizabeth she said at the station,
we have been extravaganza. From now
on we must save
Il shall save every penny" replied
Elizabeth. with energy. 81 am posi-
lively going to hoard
Then they paid the cabman, bought
several magazines, bunch of roses,
enough fruit to suggest the necessity
of Mans going by freight and babe
each other fearful farewell.
1.-The only way to do it, Elizabeth
told herself the following morning, is
to keep a bank account. Then my
money will be where l can't get at it,
She Immediately rose and began to
work out the time and amount of her
first deposit. She found she had $1.20
and pleasant surprise. She also dis
covered that she owed SIT to various
members of her family.
"Now," she said. eff 1 am careful I
can get my debts paid up and can put
SIS in the bank two weeks from today.
That is quite a start"
She felt as thrifty as if the deposit
were already made. She even hoped
n Oh fT1o m
ious.
At breakfast the thought suddenly
occurred to her that day after tomor-
row was her mothers birthday, and
she had planned to give her mother
vase that was rather expensive. But
1 can have it charged she decided,
land the bill won't come in for
month" AS a financier she considered
that she was coming on.
While Nan was at her house Eliza
beth had been so busy entertaining her
that other friends had been neglected.
Reparation could not begin too soon
"I'll go up to Josie's first" she said,
and began to lay out a campaign of ex-
cuses for her long absence. She felt
that the excuses would be needed. In
general Josie had theories of friend
ship for her friends to practice, and in
particular she did not look with favor
upon Nan. To be neglected for that
chit!
Now even a man knows the balm of
chocolates to woman's outraged feel
| ings. On her way to Josie's Elizabeth
paused before Josie's favorite candy
shop. She was walking to save car
| fare. ut would be nice to take a box
of chocolates" she murmured hesitat-
ingly, but I simply can't afford it. Still.
Ted gave that box to Nan to eat on the
train, and I didn't have to buy one, as
had expected; 50 there is that money
really ought not to count on Fifty
cents won't help me much anyhow"
| Five minutes later she continued on
her way, with telling auxiliary to the
campaign and 20 cents in cash on hand.
Josie proved obdurate. She received
! the excuses stonily. Even the choco-
lates failed to hit the right spot. Il
should have thought said she-be-
tween bites-"that you could have
spared one afternoon in three weeks.
But, josie
"Oh, there is no excuse that fits the
case, Elizabeth. You were too much
occupied with your friend, that's all.
OF course, now that she has left and
there isn't any one else"
| Elizabeth watched the consumption
of a nut cream dejectedly. Then she
had an inspiration. Josie" she said
humbly. won't you come downtown
! tomorrow and lunch with me?'
| Josie haughtily consented.
ct can't stay another minute now,
said Elizabeth, delighted, land there
are a lot more things I want to say,
but we can talk them all over tomor-
row. And tomorrow is matinee day,
too. if there is anything you would like
| to see"
1t was worthy of a seasoned diplo-
mat. And in her excitement Elizabeth
had forgotten her precious bank ac-
count.
When she got home caller had
been waiting for some time
''Why. Floi'' exclaimed Elizabeth
I'm awfully glad to see you 1t is
months and months since the last
time. Do tell me all about yourself -
It'll do it," laughed Flo. land I
won't lose any time. I am going to
be married next Monday"
"Oh!" cried Elizabeth. "A big
wedding. FLOP"
mo, I'm going to have the tiniest
kind of wedding, but I am asking a
few of my oldest friends. and, of
course, 1 want you. Elizabeth
81 wonder" thought Elizabeth. after
her visitor had gone, whether she
wouldn't like one of those Japanese
lamps for wedding gift"
That evening Elizabeth met her
morning resolutions face to face.
perhaps the bank I was going to
put my money in might break any
how she said. trying to find consola-
ton.
Then. because things looked so
hopeless, she treated her family to
soda On her remaining 70 cents.-Chi-
cago News.
POINTED PARAGRAPHS