The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-12
THE EVENING STORY
shirley,s surprise.
(By Martha Cobb Sanford. }

nual charity bazoor, and putting her
whole incautious, magnanimous soul
into the task-but that was Shirley
every time.
And she had what she termed a
perfectly, splendid1y unique idea for
this particular bazaar! As soon as
she thought of it, she called up each
of the other girls on the committee
by telephone to tell them about it.
Perfectly impossible" one said.
''Too much work." complained an
other.
"Fine," agreed a third, land just
like you, Shirley. But youM have to
put it through yourself. All the rest
of US have more than we can do now"
And so, a bit chagrined, but quite
undaunted, Shirley proceeded ito put
it through"
She had just executed her. first4vic-
torious stroke wheen she came face
to face with Philip Evans-that is,
their machines met before a smart
sporting goods establishment.
you look as fresh as a morning
glory Shirley, was Philips greeting
as he sprang from his car and helped
Shirley from hers. "How do you do
it-with a whole charity bazaar on
your hands?"
Gust come in here with me min
ute, Philip, and I'll show you" Shir-
ley answered laughing.
Once inside the shop Shirley asked
for the proprietor. No one else would.
do, she said. When that pompous gem
t1eman saw who it was demanding
his, exclusive personal attention, his
expression of annoyance underwent an
instantaneous metamorphosis, ~
To Philips intense amusement he
fairly beamed upon Shirley. But then
every one beamed upon Shirley, for
that matter, and Shirley beamed upon
every one in return-or possibly it
was just the other. way round.
you see, Mr.. Brown, were going
to have a charity bazaar" she began,
smiling so captivatingly as she did so
that her victim quite overlooked the
fatality of the announcement. And
you have such perfectly charming and
unusual things here that knew you
would be delighted to give us just one
or two small articles to help us out"
Mr.. Brown managed to tuck an &C.
quiescent smile in edgewise, as Shir-
ley, seating herself in a reclining. bam-
boo porch chair, announced, eyes,
fully comfortable. And, oh, that love-
ly tan Gloucester hammock We
must have that. Come over here and
try it with me, Philip
Philip obeyed without a moments
hesitation, although conscious that tie
eyes of several spruce young clerks
were watching himself and Shirley as
they sat like two children. swinging
side by side.
"And that will be all Mr. Brown
Shirley announced munificently, jump
ing out on the fly, as it weree. Just
see, I've let you off very easy.
can't tell you exactly what we want
them for. That's a secret, but it will
be a splendid advertisement, and if
they aren't sold, why Wen send them
back to YOU
Mr. Brown, with many smiles and
sweeping bow, acknowledged himself
pleased and honored to be of service
And I haven't asked you to buy a
single ticket, Mr.. Brown" Shirley re-
minded him generously.
Mr.. Brown Immediately put his
hand into his pocket.
mo, thank you just as much" de-
clined Shirley prettily, "but you see,
Mrs. Brown bought half dozen yes
terday." sTss- -..
shirley, . Philip, sober
ly when they were on the sidewalk,
haven't you any conscience what
ever 2" But at Shirley,s expression of
absolute ncomprehension. Philip
burst out laughing. What are you
going to do with the things, anyway"
he asked, helping her into her auto
mobile. -5t
THAT'S my surprise Shirley an
swered. you'll see, when you come
to the bazaar By the way, how many
tickets do you want?"
Philip opened his bill-fold and
slowly drew out six.
won't these be sufficient to let
me in % he asked teasingly.
where did you get them, Philip"
flashed Shirley.
"Oh, from two or three irresistible
he answered. indifferently. |
well, here are six more" Shirley
defiantly. "I saved them |
on purpose for you, Philip, so you'll
have to take them. Now you mustn't
detain me a minute longer. I've got
loads of other places to go to. See
you at the bazaar"
"But can't call before began
Philip, abruptly tearing in two sew
eral small pieces of blue cardboard.
mo, you can't interrupted Shirley, !
I'm too busy. If you need |
any more tickets, Philip, let me know. J
The bazaar opened with a blaze |
of social glory and continued it's tri-
umphant career for one entire week. |
The center of attraction was "Shir- |
ley Burnett's little portable house." as |
it came to be called before the ba-
zaar was half over. There it stood |
at one end of the long hall, immacu-
and yellow, defying any one to find |
fault with it and inviting every one !
to come in-for the small price of five |
cents.
main to exclaim over its coziness. Not /
4 corner of it was left unexplored, |
from the little living room with it's
artistic wicker furnishings to the
Kitchen with its miniature
cook stove and shining rows of brand
new pans and kettles.
And nearly every one fingered long
enough to have tea, which Shirley
served out on the porch with just as
gracious hospitality as if she weren't
charging the exorbitant sum of 15
tents a cup for it. The little portable
house record proved a most paying
And when, the very last night of
~ Mt Nr1I
here was spirited bidding and much
excitement
-Four hundred and ninety dollars
our hundred and ninety dollars"