The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-31
TIE EVENING STORY
Breaking q Compact.
(By Belle Mania ties. }

He was man whose well made Shout
ders alone marked him as man of ac-
ton. This new role of his was not con-
sistent with his principles and habits
He consulted his watch frequently and
said things under his breath, but the
instant he caught sight Of the faiT
young form in the doorway he forgot
his impatience.
When Dorothy's ingenious, dazzling
eyes looked into his, he drew quick
breath and told himself she was well
worth the waiting, however prolonged
Time was made for slaves. not Tor
Dorothy. It did not even occur to her
to ask him If she were late, or If he had
been waiting long. She was the only
daughter and had been subjected to no
rules or regulations.
Her father, Willism Lloyd, Iad been
perceptibly troubled when approached
by Tom on the subject of his love and
desire for Dorothy.
IT don't know of fellow anywhere
I think as much of as do Of you, Tom,
and there is no one else to NAom
would like to have for a son-in-law, but
you haven't said anything to her yet:
mo; still, of course. she must know
I love herr /.
Lloyd smiled
Very likely. But don't want you TO
say anything to her until you have
known her longer; until you are entirely
sure you care enough"
Tom stared.
DO you think any one could know
her at all and not love her?"
Il must admit" replied Lloyd that
we have done all we could to spoil Dor
othy, and yet she is not spoiled-to me-
She has always had her own way, but
it has been such a witching. sweet way
we were glad to give it to her. 1t is our
dearest wish and hope that she may
always continue in her princess role
'sShe has many little characters
tics that we can laugh at, but to a con-
ventional, practical, systematic nature
like yours fear will prove dlstractlng.
Her oblivion to the flight OF time, her
responsibility and utter disregard Of
anything approaching system will
be wearisome to you, I fear after the
glamor of courtship and honeymoon IS
over. You must take her SIS she IS
with no thought of alteration"
Tom protested that he loved Dorothy
as she was, and that in naught would
he have her changed, but Lloyd had
seen his looks of Impotence and their
sudden vanishing this morning
"ThereH come time when his i'm
patience will linger after Dorothy's ar
rival on the scene" he reflected with q.
sigh.
ing to Dorothy that he feared they
would be late for the starting of the
regatta. Dorothy gayly rejoined that
she had never seen the starting Of any
thing.
Il am dreadfully unpunctual," she
added with a little sigh IT'S incon-
venient for my friends, but 1 can't help
it. I get up late in the morning and
everything has begun. I've never seen
the first act of a matinee YETI
Don't you breakfast with your
father and mother?" he asked grave
".
breakfast" she echoed with lit
tie shrek i've never seen a break
was a delicate child and they never
awoke me, and now, oh, there's some
thing deadly in the early morning sun
shine! It seems so lonesome at the
starting of day. Do you think it such
q crime as your face indicates p
Il really think you ought to break
fast with your parents Dorothy was
the seriously spoken rejoinder.
DO you, Tom? she asked de-
jectedly.
He doesn't know=he can't imagine
what a difficult thing it would be for
mel" she thought. TT would be as
strange to me as it would to him
An inspiration came to her.
Tom she asked, eff turn over a
new leaf and get up to breakfast. will
you do something for me2'
His face glowed with enthusiasm,
and something else
There's nothing in the world I
wouldn't do for YOU Dorothy"
well, I'll get up to breakfast and
make an effort to be on time If you
will-part Jour hair in the middle!''
yes, it's the only flaw I've discov-
cred in you. Tom I can't bear hair
parted on the side. It's so old fash
ionedl"
But I'd look perfectly idiotic with
my hair parted in the middle!' he pro-
tested, appalled, at the prospect.
Nov you can see," she cried in
triumph. with dancing eyes, thow
strange 1t would seem to me to get up
in the morning..
Tom saw that this was his hour and
he met it unfiinchingly.
It's a compact, Dorothy! I'll part
my hair in the middle or anywhere if
you will get up in the morning and oc-
casionally consult a timepiece."
That same evening Dorothy re-
ceived the first piece of advice ever be-
slowed upon her by her adoring
father.
You are quite grown up, Dorothy"
he suggested gently, "and don't you
think you should be a little more sys-
tematic or punctual in your mode of
life7
ing aloud Say no more, papa! I
have promised Tom to ger up TO break
fast every morning and that I would
try and be on time generally"
You have!" he exclaimed IN sur
prise and with the thought that she
surely must love Tom.
"Yes-for a consideration. He is to
part his hair in the middle"
Tom Dalton part his hair in the
middle! I'd as soon think OF Abraham
Lincoln dressed as Little Lord
Fauntleroy."
This comparison amused Dorothy
and she began TO wonder how Tom
would look.
i've invited him to breakfast with US
tomorrow, so we will have an oppor-
tunity to see how his hair becomes
him.
Dorothy did not face the next morn
Ing in a spirit Of buoyancy. She came
into the dining room nstIessly and with
a feeling that life was a desolate waste
Her father and mother We're already
at the table and Tom soon entered look
ing sheepish and conscious An IN
willing smile of amusement was forced
h. h. Ii /. La.