The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-10
The EVENING STORY
Mrs. Richard Belden, Proxy.
(By EHie Stevens. ]

Mrs. Richard Belden, Proxy.
(By Fife Stevens.)
There, Jessica couldn't have done
that bit better herself. if she is a
housekeeper with nearly a years ex-
per1ence to her credit" Enid MAYNARD
declared, as she surveyed the daintily
appointed luncheon table, set for two,
with self-satisfied eyes. He'll never
for moment guess that I'm not Mrs.
Richard Belden." She laughed mer-
rily.
While at breakfast that morning
her hostess, young Mrs. Belden, had
received telegram from her husband,
who was eff on business trip, saying
that he had CHANGED to meet his for
mer college chum, Sprague, and learn
ing that he would be passing through
Mayville on the goth had exacted from
him promise to stop off an make the
acquaintance of Mrs. Beldon.
It's the goth today Mrs. Belden
had exclaimed in tone of dismay.
having read the message aloud for
Enid's benefit. Hell be here at noon,
and will naturally expect me to ask
him to lunch with us. Whatever shall
do? With my appointment at the
dentists on hand. too.
81 can't possibly get back from the
city in time" she added after pause,
''and I don't dare let my tooth go an
other day. oh, dear, 1 don't see why
Dick had to be so incons1derate as to
send strange man whom I've never
seen and never expect to see again, on
the one day it's going to put me out
dreadfully to have him."
Il think you're unjust to blame
poor Dick, when he knows absolutely
nothing about your appointment"
Enid had remarked warmly. I'm sure
if 1 had a husband I wouldn't blame
him for what he couldn't know any
thing about"
Z ooh, no. you'd be a model of wifely
devotion, of course" her friend had
interrupted scathingly. at suppose
the sake of entertaining a young man
who happened to be at Harvard when
your husband was"
1t was then that an imp of mischief,
posing under the name of friendly
helpfuIness, had taken possession of
Enid.
81 was going to come to your aid
if you'd waited to give me a chance"
Enid had retorted. why can't 1 be
Mrs. Richard Belden for the occasion?
You say this Mr.. Sprague has never
seen you. We are enough alike in
form and general coloring t. make the
same description fit us both-unless
Dick has displayed your photograph"
ITO my knowledge the only photo
graphs of me in Dicks possession are
the one had taken in college cap and
gown and the one in my wedding
ffnery,f Mrs. Belden had declared in a
relieved tone; land 1 defy any one to
recognize me as the original of either.
You know I've always taken such
poor picture that 1 haven't cared to sit
for many. l suppose 1 oughtn't to ac
cept your offer, but as you generally
manage to get your own way, there's
no use expostulating. Mrs. O'Brien is
to be here all day ironing, and I'm sure
she'll be only too glad to help you.
She's a respectable, middle-aged Irish
and nnQht m ha q C11f7i0ianf
chaperon."
please don't forget that I'm Mrs
Richard Belden.'' Enid had reminded
her with laugh. But your Mrs.
O'Brien may wait on table. if it will
ease your conscience"
In getting her friend safely off, and
in coaching the valuable and voluble
Mrs. O'Brien, Enid had found little OPP
portunity for caImer second thought
Now, however. as she left the dining
room and sought the shady, front
piazza for a short period of rest be-
fore the arrival of the guest. she be-
gan to regret that she had placed her.
self in a position which she now saw
must be embarrassing, even though
she were never found out-that was
too dreadful possibility even to con-
template.
"Jessica ought not to have accepted
my Offer" she thought accusingly, as
she settled herself in a comfortable
piazza chair, and took from her work
basket the piece of table-linen she was
hemming for her friend. and which
she had decided would be a most ap-
propriate task for a young housekeeper
| to be found engaged upon The real
Jessica would far more likely have
been caught reading the latest "best
seller
Enid, however. was not woman to
waiver for long.
I'm ashamed of you. Mrs. Richard
Belden, Proxy" she scolded herself
| inwardly, as she bent over her work.
you've put your hand to the pillow,
and you've got to keep on row, what
ever happens"
At that moment she heard brisk,
masculine footsteps hurry ing up the
front walk.
Laying down her work. she arose
and stepped forward, with outward
calmness, to greet the stranger.
Mr.. Sprague, I suppose" she be-
gan. Then-she stopped short sud
denly as she got good look at the
handsome young man who was stand
| ing, hat in hand, before her.
The hot blood mounted to Enid S
cheeks. This was no stranger. oh,
why. when she had heard the name OF
Sprague, had she so easily taken it for
granted that Dicks friend could not by
any possibility be the Tom Sprague
with whom she had become acquainted
while visiting at her aunt's three years
before?
all, was it not better to meet him let
ting him think her another mans wife
than to have met him simply as Enid
would have beel