The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-05
THE EVENING STORY
In Dorn1itory Ten.
(By Temple Bailey.)

10y 4SAlplS 0d1ey.l
Betty Belle, coming in that morning
from English two found on the
table in her room in the dormitory a
| cocoanut cake. a plate of chicken
sandwiches and card. The card
read: Compliments of Prudence
Conway
Prudence was the colored maid on
| the third floor of dormitory 10 of the
| summer school. To be chosen as a
pet by Prudence meant many priv
leges- To the girl she liked sne
brought unlimited towels, while some
| less favored maiden might lansuish
with two week; and now in provo.
ing Betty Belle with materials Tor .
| midnight spread Prudence sno"eo
| evidence of high regard.
Betty Belle was from the south,
Hence her name. There hao Deei.
two aunts beloved by her mo.nsr, 60 en-.
them always. Betty Belle WohoeIesua
why the northern girls thought II
funny.
"Well, we don't string ours to,
Davis told her. land 1 don't believe
we place such value on names; but
you are a dear, Betty Belle, only you
are different"
How different? Betty Sne
tionad, and Drusilla laughed:
"Oh' YOU are so old-fashioned and
pretty and serious
Betty Belle blushed. your are
pretty. too, Drusilla. ..n,o. .,
Drusilla shook her head NOT IN
the Fascinating way that you are,
Betty Belle
ate at an adjoining boarding house.
and at the lunch table that day Betty
Belle told about the chicken sand
witches and the cocoanut cake
There were four men at the table
besides the girls. AS Betty Belle de-
scribed the deliciousness the men
groaned obviously
land we don't come In for any of
that?" asked Dick Chase. who had
dunked in his studies the winter be-
fore and was making up during the
summer term. His father was worth
a million, and it was hard for Dick to
understand why he needed to grind
over books.
"No." Betty Belle told him, mo
men are allowed above the first floor
of our dormitory."
"Well, we will serenade you while
you are eating it, Dick said.
"Please don't" Betty begged.
"Why not?" Dick asked in surprise.
His attentions had always been sought
that Betty Belle should appreciate the
high honor he was comforting.
tits against the rules" Betty Belle
said.
little thing like that"
II don't" said Betty Belle, but you
can't afford to lose any standing"
He flushed. You needn't hit fell
low when he's down. / don't care
whether I get through next year or
.'Well I do" said little Betty Belle:
"You told me about your mother, and
I don't think you ought to disappoint
Dicks eyes dropped before the clear
ones of the little southern girl
II shouldn't like to disappoint her"
he murmured.
But that night as six girls, in all the
comfort of dainty kimonos and dressing
sacks, ate cocoanut cake and chicken
sandwiches, with ginger ale accompani-
ment, there hoated up through the air
the strains of Dixie"
There said Drusilla Davis, "that is
in your honor, Betty Belle"
Betty, pink and white and charming
in her rosy kimono, tapped small foot
impatiently.
sFWell, I wish he wouldn't she said.
Margaret Mills looked at her with
raised eyebrows. Why, Betty Belle
Fairfax she exclaimed, che Is worth
million. Any girl would be glad to have
him pay her attention.
81 don't care if he is worth ten mil
lions" Betty Belle returned, quickly,
'he isn't a gentleman"
The girls looked at her startled why
Betty Belle" one gasped, what makes
YOU say such a thing?"
HE isn't affirmed Betty Belle, with
my home have consideration for the
wishes of ladies, and I told him not TO
sing And he has an invalid mother
who is just praying for his success, and
it isn't right and Betty Belle olappsd
both hands over her ears to shut out the
strains of Dixie"
"Some one will tell Dick Chase what
you said about him." Drusilla told the
small maiden after the other girls had
gone to their rooms.
ct don't care" said Betty Belle, hot
ly; but when Drusilla went away she
sat down at the window and looked
out for a long time upon the moon
lighted campus.
Then she rose and took the one
piece of cocoanut cake that was left
and wrapped it up in dainty parcel
and tied it with q ribbon, and IN the
morning she sent 1t by Prudence TO
Dick Chase, with a little note.
sI said things about you last night"
was the confession ha read in her
clear-cut writing SIS ~ SAID you a w ere
you, and I shouldn't like 20 have you
hear it that way. But I didn't think |
you were courteous TO disregard my
wishes, and I worried about your
mother I know you wont forgive |
me, but had to explain"
At noon, on the campus Dick Chase !
came up to Betty Belle.
''It was right-what you said" he |
told her soberly. I've been fear |,
ful cad. and I needed a good jolt"
Betty Belle sat down on a seat I'M
der the elms "You see I have lots |
of brothers" she conhded, land Z /
know how mothers feel about their
then I couldn't bear 60 see
you going to the bad"
There was a little tremble In her
voice and Dick looked up quickly do
you carer" he asked eagerly,
Eyes" Betty Beale told him with
81 think MA <aai,lA h