The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-16
THE EVENING Sz0pY
Tine Double Conspiracy.
(By Katherine Amorvl

samuel Morton had been friends for
years They belonged to the same
cnurch and the same party, lived
wltnln sight of each other. and away
PACK when Walter Morton was in
knlckerbockers, and Edith Sherman
wore her hair in a single braid down
her back, the fathers limited to each
otner ABOUT possible marriage. Their
friendship had often been tested. but
had stood the strain.
II was only natural sequence that
When Walter was twenty and Edith
eighteen Cupid should begin to play
ms FRANKS. There was to be no mar
rage yet for two or three years, but
the fathers looked on and winked at
each other Things were coming out
as they had hoped for.
They didn't see the shadow sitting
between them, but it was there. Meth
it1clan. If such had been the case the
shadow would have come long before.
Graft and politics mix, but friendship
stands aside.
But suddenly one day the trouble
came. Without notice a committee
waited on the ex-judge and asked him
to take the nomination for repre-
sentative in congress. On the same day
a second committee waited on the
Honorable and asked him to 10 the
same thing.
Neither of the gentlemen had ever
expressed a wish to go to congress.
Why should political ambition sud-
denly flame up now. Probably because
of the spirit of rivalry inherent IN ev-
cry human breast Each heard of the
honor rendered the other. Yet it was
in the most brotherly spirit that they
met again. During the first five min
utes each offered to stand aside for
the other; during the next ten each
decided that he ought to accept.
At the end of half an hour there
was acrimony
Then came the break The men
parted in wrath. The party managers
were cute enough to realize that with
the two opposed to each other the
Battle would be lost, and finally the
nomination went to another. But the
harm had been done. The ex-judge
and the Honorable, were out and say
ing hard things of each other.
OF course, the break reacted on the
lovers. They refused to be bound by
it, but the outlook was gloomy.
The ex-judge said to his daughter
when the matter was brought up:
ct always liked Walter, but I think
you had best call this matter off and
marry a son of my enemy and take
any comfort. Who is the Hon. Samuel
Morton. I'd like to know. to think
himself the only man in this district
to represent it in the House? Think
of the impudence of it!'
And when Walter came home from
college and spoke of his marriage as
If the break had nothing to do with
the lovers, the Honorable, his father,
was prompt to say:
Edith is a nice girl and a sweet
girl, but she must have inherited more
or less of her fathers disposition. He
was insolent to me, my boy-insolent
to your father! After due thought I
believe you will give Edith up"
After due thought Walter decided
not to do any such thing. He was not
prohibited from calling. though all the
family except Edith kept out of his
way. Just how or when things would
mend was worrying the brains of the
solved in most unexpected way. The
Hon.. Morton invited his son into the
library to say to him: sfs---.,
walter. you do not seem to have
given Edith up yet?"
mo, SIR" was the firm reply.
'I'm sure you can never get the
consent of the judge
eve shall wait and hope"
"Um! I don't know but what have
a better plan. have nothing against
the girl, but would like to get square
with her father. I'm sure that he's
waiting to refuse you her hand. It
was just such a case when I married
your mother, and what did I do? Got
her to elope with me-"
But. father, you don't mean mean.
l.
you to marry the daughter; therefore,
marry her."
And it might have been on the
same evening and at the same hour
that the judge said to his daughter
after scolding her for going about with
tears in her eyes and her face giving
warning of an early decline:
Edith, the Hon. Samuel Morton
thinks that son of his too good for
you, and if he knows you are wor-
"a xx..1I h.
s.I don't think he feels that way,
papa" was the humble reply
''But I know the old man, you see.
He's good at heart but he's obstin-
ate beyond belief. and politics have
spoiled him sadly. I think, however,
Walter takes after his mother. You
are engaged to him. are you?"
"Then I wouldn't let his father spoil
your life. I'D marry Walter in spite
Of him."
girl. as she sprang off her chair and
took a sudden interest in life.
.what did your mother and I do
when my father s ob5sct to,d me ahout
| it a dozen timesi Oh papa. If Walter
only would elope!"
Walter was willing, as he informed
her on the next night. In fact, he had
decided that was the only thing to do.
1 All ne 1edIeQ was tiictt Siic
consent. and it filled his soul with
low to learn that she would.
For very good reasons neither OF
the lovers mentioned the fact that
their respective fathers had counseled
elopement as the panacea. They de-
cided to go at it and lay their plans
SO carefully that failure need not be
| feared.
few days later the Hon. Samuel
| Morton said to his son:
.sWalter, in regard to that little aft
| fair. you might extend the honey
moon trip to Europe and give that
| over it, Better take this check for
$4,000 now There will be no fare
wells when you elope."
/ s'Then you don't think the Judge
would give her to me?"
Never! He wants to get even with
me you see. Run along now, and