The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-02
TIE EVENING STORY
Rosalie,s Parents.

terra. Their only child, the pretty
Rosalie, had fallen in love with an
unknown young man who had, few
months ago. moved into their neigh
borhood.
There were a number of eligible
youths in Beverly, any one of whom
would have considered himself only
too fortunate could he have become
the son-in-laW of the Breretons-
youths that one knew all about, and
whose incomes could be calculated
with great nicely.
Jack Chandler was an artist, and
Rosalie's parents believed artists to be
a poor, indispensable lot. Then, too,
not much more was known of Miss
Graham, the aunt with whom Chan
dler lived. The best people in Bever-
ly had called, and their civility ha'
met with a prompt and proper return,
and there things had ended. Miss
Graham, it was rumored was a wo-
man of literary tastes, and inded was
supposed to be writing a novel
1t was dreadful to think dear Rosa
lie should be associated with such a
bohemian class-but what were they
to do? Chandler and their daughter
were both of age, and unfortunately
Resale had a little money in her own
right. All that was left for them was
to try the effect of a direct appeal to
Miss Graham to see If by any possibility
she could do anything. 1t was possible
that after they had automatically
made her see how Chambers career
might be interfered with, and had inti-
mated how very slim was Resale 8
fortune, she might order the weak
ling of an artist to withdraw his suit.
Rosalie could then be. taken to New
York for a couple Of weeks and all
would be well.
The plan offered many objections,
and gave but little promise of success,
but neither Mr.. and Mrs Brereton
could think of anything else and they
were not the kind in such an emer-
gency to sit and fold their hands.
On this special afternoon they
dressed with elaborate care for their
call on Miss Graham Just as they
were ready to start the bell rang and
Miss Graham herself was announced.
Miss Grahams coming was due to
an occurrence OF the afternoon before
when Rosalie had come to her in
tears relative to the hardhearted atti-
tude of her parents.
II can stand most anything. Miss
Graham" she had sobbed, but being
told that I am throwing myself away
on a worthless painter; and you've no
idea what dreadful names besides they
called dear Jack. They even went so
far as to say they didn't believe he
loved me at al1-that he was just af-
ter my money! I hate to talk about
! father and mother in this way, but
they've no right to say such things of
Jack
| AS Jacks aunt listened to this recital
| so unGattering to her cherished idol
/ her face grew grim; then her eyes
twinkled as she turned TO Resale and
Don't worry, little girl. things Will
come out all right"
| This was why Miss Graham hap
pened to call the next afternoon at the
As Mr.. and Mrs. Brereton entered
their parlor arm III arm, Miss Graham
rose with solemn dignity;
81 have come" she said. con a very
uncomfortable mission. one that must
be dealt with in spirit of the utmost
frankness May have your permits
sion to express myself quite freely ??
Mr.. and Mrs. Brereton looked at
each other: neither felt quite sure of
| just what Miss Graham meant. but as
| it might be safely inferred, she intend
| ed pleading her nephew's cause, they
at least would have the satisfaction,
while she was at such close quarters,
of speaking their OWL minds. In uni
son they nodded for her to go on.
sI understand Miss Graham con-
tinued, 'smy nephew has been seeing
quite good deal Of your daughter"
The Breretons glared wrathfully. so,
at the beginning, 1 want you both to
understand I have nothing whatever
against Miss Rosalie that believe her
to be in fact a very sweet and lovely
girl-but I have quite different am
billions for this extremely talented
nephew of mine, ambitions in which
matrfrnony does not enter. unless it
Il
wealth and position to further them.
Mr.. and Mrs. Brereton were too
dazed to speak. Miss Graham contin-
ued fIuently:
"John is very young. and at pres
ent might be foolish enough to risk
brilliant career. To avoid this I would
| Immediately take him away from Bev-
erly were he not under contract to
finish a series of sketches of the sur
rounding country for the mani for
get his name-who lives in that fne
house on the top of the hill. And so.
for I know how unhappy 1t would
make you all should Miss Resale be
united to a man whose family would
distinctly regard the match in the
light of a mesalliance, I have come
to ask that you may find it convenient,
should YOU have some relatives in an
other town, to let your daughter visit
them for a few weeks, or until those
pictures are finished I feel that IN
| der the circumstances am really not
asking too much
Miss Graham paused as IL for an
approving reply None came, though
| the mouths of her two listeners had
/ opened vide
at know" she said, when you think
# over you will come to my opinion,
and that in this matter which is such
| a vital one to me and his poor grand
mother. who does not yet know the
/ risk John has been running, may
count on your support.
overwhelmingly Miss Graham held
| out her hand, first to Mrs. BreretOn
and then to her husband. Mechanical
/ ". dazedIy. each took it in turn and
accompanied her 70 the door
When Miss Graham was well out
OF sight she burst into ripple OF