The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-11
TIE EVENING STORY
Mr.. simpson, Extinct.
(By Jane Osborn.)

most influential and exclusive society
in college. and they usually do things
In the most conventional and approved
manner. But even Zeta Beta's can't
always control their husbands. So
when Grace Curtis, the only married
girl in the party. got word from Mr..
Curtis Thursday morning that he had
engaged passage for Europe for them
on the following Saturday, she had to
pack up and leave
She must have spent a weeks pin
money befoe she left, on long distance
messages, trying to get one of the
married graduates to take her place.
But they had all made their plans for
the weekend. and, of course. they
couldn't break them-their husbands
wouldn't let them.
WELL" said Grace after she had ar
gued In vain with the last married girl
on the list. there's nothing more to
be done. We can't have anyone who
isn't a Zeta Beta for a chaperon;
that's against the bylaws. You girls
certainly can't stay down here over
Sunday without one. If only those
boys weren't coming down Friday
night! Don't you suppose you could
exist without them just this once?"
No one approved of the plan.
i've a fine idea" suggested Edna
Newman, sophomore. Nathalie Tur-
ner is coming down this morning; she
is a little older than we are. We can
fix her up and call her Mrs. Brown
or Mrs. Simpson, or something, and
she can take your place. I'm sure she
won't object, for she hasn't asked
man down, and she certainly looks
old enough to be married"
80, we never could do that" said
Grace decidedly. "Supposing it leaked
out?"
How could it?'' protested an eager
senior. None of the men know Ma
thalie, and we certainly won't tell.
Here comes Nathalie! Let her de-
cide!" And the girls hurried out to
meet the newcomer.
Before Nathalie was fairly off the
carriage steps she had been seized IN
collective embrace and escorted,
breathless and laughing. to the YER
anda.
'Well," she said, after the plan had
been explained by a dozen girls at
once, "I'll do my best. if you girls
promise to make it easy for me-. All
I need is q wedding ring and another
name. Here.'' she drew seal ring
from her finger, some of you girls go
down and get wedding ring at the
jewelry shop in the village"
Edna Newman, as originator of the
plan, volunteered her services. and
with the enthusiastic senior who had
upneld nef, she StdIleu uoWu ~" IA uS
the village.
I'm perfectly crazy to meet your
brother" said the enthusiastic senior.
1--WE heard SO much about him.
81 wish I hadn't asked him. said
Edna regretfully. HE used to be
fairly entertaining, but now he's as
unresponsive as stone wall"
"Oh, 1 like unresponsive men!' said
the senior.
Don't get up your expectations
about Peter. Ever since he met that
girl last summer he hasn't even looked
at any of my friends. He didn't want
to come down here at ALL"
What girl?" urged the senior.
"Why he met a girl on train going
to the mountains. And then after
ward he happened to see her at one
of the hotels in New York"
as he really in lover" suggested
the senior.
''To be sure he is; hopelessly so, too,
because he doesn't know her name and
he hasn't any idea of where she lives
or anything"
During the first few minutes of in
PRODUCTIONS and greetings that night
the girls were fortunately too much
interested in themselves to notice Ma
thalie's rather unchaperonely be-
havior
Edna was trying to introduce her
brother, whe nshe saw him making for
Nathalie as fast as he could. Grace
followed and saw him speak. Then
she looked at Nathalie and saw her
blush and turn her head away.
oh Peter" said Edna, have YOU
met Mrs. Simpson? She's our chaper-
on"
"Oh!" gasped Peter, unable to con-
ceal his surprise.
81 am so glad to know you, Mr..
Newman" Nathalie said in quite q
matronly manner. at was delightful
Of you to come"
Then Edna led the dazed Peter off
to meet the other girls and she forgot
all about his embarrassment until af-
ter dinner.
Just before the dancing began he
came up to her and asked her how
long Mrs. Simpson had been married.
"Oh, some time" said Edna with
out looking at him. She was afraid
her look would betray the secret.
TITS a queer thing her husband
didnt come with her." he said, with
ill-concealed disapproval.
After he had danced three or four
dances he came to his sister again.
You know I have to catch a train
to town tonight he said.
Edna was completely surprised.
manage that" she said "But. any
way. you must apologize to our chap
eron. 1t looks a little rude to leave so
soon"
Peter tried to object, but Edna led
him to the piano, where Nathalie sat
playing dance music
"Oh!' exclaimed Nathalie, looking
up at Peter, you surely can't have
grown tired of us so soon. I'm afraid
it will rather spoil the girls fun to-
morrow. I know you will enjoy it, %
1t would be quite impossible for
me to enjoy it-now," said Peter, with
a keen glance at Nathalie that made
her drop her eyes and tumble with
the piano keys.
Nathalie sought Edna the next
morning. How long am 1 to keep
up this masquerade" she asked.
How long?" exclaimed Edna.
why, we aren't ever going to tell"
"Oh, Is it to be such a secret as
that? Aren't you ever going to tell
any one, not even-your brother? 90
"Oh, my no!' Then remembering
Peters embarrassment when he met