The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-11
THE EVENING STORY
The Patriotism of Penelope.
{ By Virginia Blair.)


vote ought to be made to VOTE" said
Penelope, dramatically.
"Of course. If you feel that way"
Oswald Deering said, stiffly.
Every woman should feel that
way PenelopeS scornful little nose
was in the air, 'and every man. The
welfare of the country depends on it,"
Pm not so sure"-Deering was fast
becoming aggressive. that woman
knowS-'
And then Penelope blazed. "Of
course" she retorted, you think that
a woman ought not to dabble in such
things. But the blood of my ancestors
is in me. All of my grandfathers were
in the revolution and in the war of
1912. My father served with honor in
the civil war and my brothers in the
war. How can 1 help feeling
that the men who wouldn't fight
WERE she stopped.
Oswald was very pale. "I know
what you were going to say. That be-
cause didn't fight was a coward"
Something in the stiffness of his an
ger frightened Penelope.
Eyes, you did," he told her, ''you
meant that I was a coward because
didn't go to the war when your
brothers did. But there were reas-
ons."
There are always reasons" she
flashed out. You may now say
there are reasons why you are not go
ing to vote tomorrow
We'll. 1 don't think you could I'M
derstand If I told you, Penelope
She stood up and faced him. "Oh,"
she said, and her little figure in the
clinging mauve gown was drawn up to
it's full height. "Oh, always thought
that you put women on low plane,
Oswald, and now I know it.
sit isn't that" he said, doggedly,
but I think I ought not to be made
to explain my reason for not voting
inv oil 7 -11, e-k.a
away from the polls tomorrow as
matter of conscience, Penelope"
Her little nose was buried in the
bunch OF violets he had brought her.
81 don't think 1T is worth arguing
about" she said at last, YEARLY, as she
lifted her head from the flowers. But
really think we couldn't be happy if
we feel so differently
you mean ?''-he had risen and
was standing beside her.
Il mean-that-that I think we
have made a mistake"
'@Then you won't marry me, Pene-
lopez"
'I have never said that I would, o.
valid"
NO but you gave me hope, you
knew that I thought
Before his accusing eyes, her own
But 1 never really said yes" she
whispered.
perhaps not. But understand that
It was because you wanted to be sure"
his voice broke, and then all at once he
gathered himself together and with his
head held high, said sternly, Don't
talk of mans allegiance to his coun-
try. Penelope, when you have failed in
your allegiance to your love-
Il don't love you" she began, but he
interrupted her. You do. You know
you love me, Penelope. But deep down
in your heart you don't trust me. And
don't want that kind of love. I want
- @Q I,.A1sA -,
me-"
She was staring at him in a dazed
way. "TheHn-then-goodby," she quiv-
cred.
hands in his. ooh. little Penelope" he
said, "why can't you trust me?''
Her lips quivered. ''Why can't you
tell me-" she demanded. tearfully, why
you won't vote, Oswald2"
He hesitated, and then shook his head.
mo, it's matter best left undiscussed.
Perhaps some day you'll see things diff
ferently."
Her chin was raised mutinously. II
shall always love my country, Oswald"
And I shall always love YOU
with that he was gone
Left alone, she wondered if it was
true. Surely in little while Oswald
would be back begging her to forgive
him.
But the next day came and the men
gathered at the polls, and PeneIope's
father and his sons went out to vote as
the men of their family had done before
them, for conscience and for country,
and at dinner they toasted their favorIte
candidate in water from their own clear
spring, and their father made a little
speech. I'VE have all been fighters"
he said, land hope I shall never have.
a son or a grandson to break our rec
ord
And Penelope. thinking of Oswald,
WINGED. What place had he among
49, -
But when the feasting was over,
her youngest brother, Bruce, said,
1--WE always felt that there was no
force like the force of arms, but 1 tell
you I heard something about Oswald
Deering today that made me believe
in a new kind of courage"
"What was 2" they demanded.
''Wel1 the nurse who takes care of
waiting in Oswalds Office today. 1t
seems that his father was killed in
the civil war and that since then his
mother has been very delicate.
when the first news OF hghtlng IN
Cuba came. Oswald was wild to go,
but she opposed it strongly. and at
last when She found that his mind
was made up she had a heart at
tack that nearly killed her. So Os-
valid stayed at home and studied
medicine, but he has never really got
ten over his disappointment
Penelope's father brought his hand
down on the table with bang But
he should have gone at his country's
call" and Penelope's eyes flashed.
"And have killed his mother?"
Bruce asked, quietly. For a moment
the older man was silent. and then he
said. "It was a test of patriotism, but
the boy did the right thing"
Penelope leaned, across the table |
and asked an eager question, but only |
her mother knew of her real interest. |
and why her cheeks were pale and |
hr eyes Swallowed.
ssBut-but do you know the reason |
why Oswald didn't voter" she de- |
manded.