The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-27
TIE EVENING STORY
NIarcia's Penitcnce.
(By Jane Osborn.)

It's dream" Marcia Newbury
stood before the soft, clinging white
frock she had just taken from the
dressmaker'1 box. But my old slip
pers will never do. Let me see; it's
i thursday, and my next months allow
ance comes in five-no, in six-days.'
Marcia went to her desk opened
her purse, and did some figuring. i've
got slX-nlnety-seVe That will leave
almost two dollars for carfare. and
church, and odds and ends, if | pay
| i've dollars for pair of slippers I'll
DO it. There are some beauties at
J Jo="
She was interrupted by the knock
of the maid.
a gentleman, Miss Marcia, for your
father | said he was out of town, so
the gentleman said you'd do. His
names Brown
Marcia went downstairs picturing
herself floating about at Mrs. Bron-
son Jenks's dance that evening in a
filmy white gown and dainty white
slippers.
said good-loOking, middle aged man.
coming toward Marcia with out
stretched hand as she entered the
room. I'm Mr.. Brown, OF New York,
an old friend of your fathers
Good morning, Mr.. Brown" said
Marcia, shaking hands with the
stranger. I'm sure father will be very
sorry to miss you. I expect him home
TINS aIternoon-on the four-fifty-six
from New York.
Wen. we'll said Mr. Brown. Just
my luck. I've got to take the four
thIrty-six back to New York to keep
an appointment
My father will be sorry" repeated
Marcia
Wen. SO am l, said the man cas-
lily. But to get right down to the
bottom of the matter, Miss Marcia
I'm in fix. [ depended on your
n hoI
Marcia looked up with real concern.
Could lis it anything 1 could
dc? p she ventured.
I hardly like to ask you" said the
man. You see. 1 expected to find
money order awaiting me here. And
it hasn't come
oh. I'm so sorry"
And to be frank" admitted the
to lend me enough to get back to New
York
The vision of the new slippers
danced before Marcia's eyes. Follow
ing them two rather worn black slip
pers hurried along.
Would you let me-" suggested
Marcia impulsively. I haven't much
cash abOut-but if five dollars would
help
A few minutes later Mr.. Brown. of
New York, left Judge Newburys house
with Marcia's five dollars promising
to send it back the minute he reached
New York. A few minutes afterward
Marcia started downtown to buv a
package of shoe polish and ribbon
enough for new bows on the old Slip
pers. On her way home she met Mrs.
Benson jerks.
Marcia said Mrs. jerks. Il had
the funniest experience this morning.
You know Benson's away from home.
mana Mr.. Brown. of New York-
an old friend of Benson. he said
came to the house and I lent him five
do11- Il
hadn't enough to buy a ticket home
But, you know, Marcia, I think he
was cheat / don't know why. but
Marcia gasped. Mr. Brown-of
fraud came to our house, and I did
the same thingi'
When Marcia got home she found a
young man pacing back and forth.
Miss Newbury?" he queried- I'm
Mr.. Shipley-Peter ShipIey-of Bos-
ton, an old friend of Judge New
burys,'' he explained
Marcia eyed him icily- Oh, are you2"
she questioned, her back against the
door.
.''The maid saws the judge $ away"
said the man nervously.
WELL" said Marcia, looking at him
out of steely eyes
Well with difficulty, you see, I'm
in a hole. I'm strapped. I haven't any
money-and I was going to ask the
JOCSe---
Marcia laughed cynically. Really,
were you?" she said.
The young man redeemed. 1T is a
queer fix. The judge is the only per
son I know in this town I've been
away and thought I'd stop to see him
on my way home. So I telegraphed
my partner to forward a money order
to me here. 1t hasn't come I've got
to catch the 1908 for Boston to keep
an important business engagement; and
I have OnlV a O1lartQr''
By this time Marcia was in the
ball. holding tie door half shut. I'm
really sorry, Mr.. Brown, or Shipley, |
or whatever your name is. But 7 posi- !
lively don't see how you dare talk in !
this way" she said. and slammed the
door.
Father" said Marcia that evening
at dinner-she was wearing the new |
frock and the old slppers-"a Mr.. !
Brown, of New York, an old friend of /
yours-was here this morning and l |
let him have So
She watched her father. She knew |
the joke was or her.
Brown OF New York; I don't re- |
member any such man. Still. it's not |
an uncommon name
OF course you don't = laughed Mar |
ia She told the story in detail, ana /
told Of Mrs. jerks experience. The |
Judge laughed heartily. He always |
.aIled Marcia soft hearted
Never mind the S. dear" he con-