The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-14
The EVENING STORY
The catastrophe.
(By Mabel c. England.)


and came forth from the little school
house into the radiant May sunshine.
What a glorious day and what pity
one had to go back and be cooped up
for the whole afternooni Her lips
curved in a delicious pout and in her
most passed young DR.. Deming with
out seeing him when he stepped de-
terminedly in front of her.
She looked up, surprised.
Miss Randall" he said, 81 have to
drive several miles out into the coun-
try this afternoon. I start about 4.
was wondering If you would go with
me-"
Dorothy smiled graciously.
I'D love to-" she told him impul-
sively. 1.-The day is so perfect"
He beamed with delight. VERY well
then, I'll be at the house by
o'clock
Dorothy walked on, outwardly COM
posed, but inwardly in a tumult of
happiness. All the girls she knew
were wild about this clever young doc
tor, recently established there, and
lost no opportunity to intercept and
perhaps, Dorothy had always been re-
served and even coldly Indifferent in
her manner toward him, fearful lest
he should think her as eager as the
rest. This was the first time ne had
ever invited her out with him, though
she had met him often enough at the
little social affairs of the village.
HE has driven with lots of other
girls" she reminded herself, so you
needn't feel especially flattered-"
AS she was finishing lunch a dress
was delivered at the door, the new
spring dress that she had not expected
till Saturday. Full of excitement she
seized the parcel and rushed up with
it to her room. A new dress was al
ways a Joyous event in her life.
Slipping it hastily on she stood be-
fore the mirror, regarding it. How
pretty it was-howS the dainty violet
brought out the gold of her hair, the
deep sparkling blue of her eyes, the
soft glowing rose of her cheeks!
At that moment the school bell rang
out
4 believe I'll wear it, thought
Dorothy recklessly, land then I'll be
all ready for the drive
She pinned on her new spring hat,
noting even in her haste how charm
ingly its color blended with that of her
gown, and Selling her gloves sped
down the stairs and out into the
fragrant spring sunshine.
All afternoon, as she taught, her
eyes kept straying to the clock, then
out to the green and gold beauty OF
the afternoon It seemed as If the
very minutes dragged.
Toward the close of the school hour
she noticed an unusual amount of
whispering and giggling among four
or five boys in one corner of the room.
Twice she spoke, calling them to or
der but the third time she noticed
that something was being passed
from hand to hand and examined I'M
der cover of the desks. with a series
of pronounced giggles and almost os-
tentatious glances in her direction. She
rose from her seat.
sHTom Corby," she commanded. in
her low, clear voice, bring that thing
to me instantly. whatever it is
Tom rose with suspicious alacrity
and walking up the aisle held out
small cone made of strong, thick pa
per. carefully folded over at the top.
Dorothy took it and opened it with
decision. In an instant stream of
ink had oozed out covering her hands
and dripping all down the front of her
pretty new dress.
She dropped the paper and stood
perfectly still a moment aghast at the
ruin that had been wrought. Her
face grew pale, her lips trembled.
Controlling herself with difficulty she
turned toward the class.
''School is dismissed she an
nounced clearly, without a glance at
chief. Their punishment must wait.
'sRise!' She struck the bell once,
twice, and stood without tremor
while the scholars filed out. Tom Cor
by and his co-conspirators shutting
by with crimson cheeks and shame
faced looks.
When the door had closed behind
/ the last one Dorothy sank into her
chair, dropped her head on the desk
and sobbed unrestrainedly. Now it
was over. Her dress was ruined and
she couldn't get another. DR.. Deming
would never know how pretty she had
! looked. In the abandonment of her
grief she did not hear a low knock on
the door nor the footsteps that came
softly up the aisle
Miss Randall-Dorothy- is
is? What is troubling you? was
I driving by when I saw the children
come out and I came in to ask you if
we couldn't start earlier"
Her sobs ceased with difficulty and
a warm flush stole up even to the tips
of her ears. To think that he should
see her like this. crying like a child
over a ruined dress. She kept her
face hidden while she indicated he
black, disfiguring stains on the dainty
gown.
IT know it's silly" she acknowI-
/ edged, half sobbing again. "but-but-
it was so pretty and can't get anoth-
| er. and
She felt one of her little ink-stained
! hands taken firmly into his.
''Dear'-there was all the tender
ness in the world In his Toice-'I viii
get you another. ten Of them. just ike
It, or all different, If you will only try
to care for me a little Sweetheart I