The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-01
The EVENING STORY
An Able Assistant.
(By Donald Allen.)

(By Donald Allen.)
. Major Kingston, retired, was being
spoken of as a candidate for mayor
of the suburban village of Rosedale
As became a soldier who had led the
grand charge at Stone river, the major
affected to make light of civic honor.
If the nomination was forced upon
him-mind you, absolutely forced -
he would accept and do his duty by
his country, as he always had; but if
they could possibly do without him,
he hoped they would.
Major Kingston had his share of
vanity. He wanted the office, and
he wanted to be forced. In pursuing
his holding-off policy, he dwelt on It
too long. His party offered the NOM
ination to another good man. When
was indignant. He couldn't say u
word in public, but at home he could
say to his daughter Madge:
Among the fellows that hang
around here, isn't there one by the
name of Clarence Gordon?"
why, father, what a question:" ex-
claimed the girl.
Son of old Gordon. the cooper.
isn't he?"
What can you mean? You know
that Clarence Gordon is one of my
callers. Only three evenings ago vol
talked with him for an hour about
the battle of Stone river. 1 never
heard of his father being called old
simply owns a big shop employing 200
men,
Hes a sly old hypocrite!" NUT
tered the major.
But what's he done?"
Hes taken the nomination for
mayor from. me, though pretending
right along that he didn't want it,
But haven't you also pretended: :"
''Daughteri"
Well. you kept the committee
waiting
Which was the dignified course.
A major of infantry. retired, has a
reputation to maintain. Old Gordon
fairly jumped at it when it was Of
fered."
well, you don't care for political
honors. You made a military record
to be proud off,
But I had made up my mind tc
accept the nomination if offered to
me again. said the major in tones of
bitterness. "OId Gordon had to have
a finger in the pie, and now he must
pay for his interference
Father, you are Inconsistent"
Il am not. No major of infantry,
retired, ever is or can afford to 5e
I didn't know that old Gordon had
bristles on his back. However, what I
started to say was that I don't want
young Gordon hanging around here
any more"
Miss Madge flushed and then lost
color.
"Of course, he's nothing to you?"
Miss Madge bit her lip and her
hand trembled.
Just send him to Coventry and
have done with it,
Il don't see what you can have
against the young man." said the gil
after a bit.
isn't he old Gordon's son "
''Well?''
And hasn't his father beaten me
out of the nomination for mayor ?"
NO! You beat YOURSELF And how
would the young man be to blame in
any case?"
Here was something like mutiny
in the ranks. Miss Madge Kingston
had never talked back to her father
before. He had even felicitated him
self that when the time came sAe
would hate or fall in love with the
man he selected. and here she was
with opinions of her own. The mutiny
must be put down at once.
Daughter, I have told you that
young Gordon must CO." he annouuc-
ed in tones that had made more than
one soldier SILVER.
(Silence on her part.)
Il will not be defied."
(More silence.)
You must tell him that I object
to his calls"
CONTINUED silence, but a defiant
toss of the head.)
And that what I object to is sus-
ter"
And the foolish papa of a twenty |
year-old girl rose up and left the room !
under the Impression that he had set
tied the matter by word or two.
Mr.. Clarence Gordon and Miss |
Madges Kingston had been in love Tor |
but had not trumpeted the |
fact from the housetops. They were /
more than in love-they were engaged. |
That very evening the lover was to |
ask the major for his daughters hand, |
and neither of the couple had any |
doubt as to the answer. In the short |
space of five minutes the whole world |
changed about. There would be no
interview with the major.
There was a letter to write to the
lover; there was an appointment 10 |
be made and kept; there was a min
ster to see; there was a horse and |
buggy to engage; there was license
10 secure; there was a major of in |
'antry to dodge; there were five miles
10 drive on a moonlight night; there
vere-but what's the use? Many
things have to be planned for in case
Of elopement. 1t was all done in this
case, and so demurely, by at least one
Of the conspirators, that certain
papa hadn't single suspicion that
ais name was to be changed to Mud.
He had given his orders, and of course
hey would be obeyed.
The night arrived. Miss Madge got
put of the house all right, but did not
firmly close the front door after her.
rhe wind blew it open a few minutes
after she had left, and a strange cat
the hall and mewed in a way
10 waken the major up and bring HIM
down stairs He investigated and the |
lat was in the fire at once A little
note had been left behind, asking him
10 forgive yours affectionately.'
Never! Never Neveri' he shouted
as he made for the stable, and his
horse and buggy to take up the chase.
The clippers had got away so neatly
hat they were merely jogging along
when a man with a mask stepped out