The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-28
THE EVENING STORY
A Three.Cornered Thanksgiving.
(By Temple Bailey.)

/ There were Just three houses in Bud
dinzton square. At the north end lived
Rosamond Drew, who was young ana
beautiful, at the south end lived Bruce
Hewlett, who was good looking and
poor, and betwixt and between them
| lived Horace Dodd, who was fifty ana
rich.
! In the usual story, such a trio would
have formed the combination OF an OLD
man and young man, both IN ioVe
with Rosamond. and the trite problem
of love against lucre would have helped
along the plot.
AS a matter of fact, however, a
month previous to Thanksgiving none
of the three knew each other. Rosa
/ mond and Bruce were newcomers,
| Horace had lived all his life in Bud
dington square. Every day he walked
with his dogs to the park and back
One morning Rosamond walked with
her French bull, and Bruce strolled IN
the same direction with his two terriers.
Horace's dog was q great Dane,
! dignified fellow, who took no notice OF
Rosamond's pug-nosed pet Thereupon
the smaller dog became pugnacious and
barked rudely.
Rosamond smiled at Horace. She
could no more help smiling than the
sun can help shining. please call on
your dog" she said.
Horace gave a peremptory order to
his great brute, and the stately fellow
moved on. But just then Bruce's ter
riers arrived and a fight followed.
1t was Rosamond's pet who got the
worst of it. and when he staggered
out of the group of snarling CANNES,
she turned pale at the sight of him.
Poor little Peter" she whispered. A
tear rolled down the beauty of her
cheeks, and the two men stood and
looked at her. and made up their minds
that she was very charming.
The next day Bruce's mother and
Horace's sister called upon Rosamond's
aunt. They came, they said, to inquire
after the little dog. They had been told
he was hurt.
Rosamond, who poured tea for them,
said that he was all right. 81 really
think it was his feelings which were
hurt most of all.'' she said. IT couldn't
find a scratch on him.
Rosamond's aunt, who was very
plump and pretty, agreed that Peter
was the victim of his feelings. He
had to have a ham bone and three
dog biscuits she said, ito console him,
but he slept like a top all night"
The facts being duly reported to
Horace and Bruce. they each sug
gested that Rosamond and her aunt
be invited to dine. So the next week
there were two dinners in Buddington
square. The following week Rosa
mond's aunt gave dinner, and Horace
and his sister and Bruce and his mother
Horace fell in love with Rosa
mond's aunt, and Rosamond fell in love
with Bruce and Bruce went heart
whole and fancy free, although he
thought Rosamond very charming.
And one day they found each other
conf1ded to Rosamond; your aunt is
the most wonderful woman in the whole
world. but she won't look at me-"
I'm not happy, either said little
Rosamond, and present Horace asked.
softly, us it Bruce?' and Rosamond
nodded, and whispered Yes
Thanksgiving day was a week off.
Rosamond's aunt had given orders for
her turkey, and Bruce and Horace had
given orders for flowers.
I'VE should like so much to have you
with u.s." said Rosamond's aunt when
the two men called one afternoon. 'to
dine on Thanksgiving day. But, of
course, your homes have first claim"
Horace smiled wistfully. "If you'll
ask me-" he said, It'll encourage my
sister to visit an old friend who has
invited her.
Bruce's regrets were not so effusive.
"Of course, I'll have to stay with
mother he said, land there are a lot
of cousins coming"
Rosamond wondered If any of the
cousins were pretty. And her heart felt
like lead. But she turned Immediately
to Horace, "Come and make ours
three-cornered Thanksgiving. You can
have all the turkey you want and Wen
give the bones to Peter"
Bruce had distinct feeling of being
overlooked. "Oh, I say" he began, ''I'd
like to make 1t a quartet"
But Rosamond shook her head
wickedly. Think how disappointed the
cousins would be-
lovely aunt was out of the way, she |
spoke TO Horace. Lets make them |
jealous she said. ''They deserve it,"
TT might wake them up" said |
Horace thoughtfu1ly.
So it happened that on THANKSGIVING |
a box Of roses came to Rosa
mond from Horace, but none came 70 |
auntie- Auntie looked pensive. IT'S
strange he didn't include me-" she said |
"since I'm really his hostess, Rosa |
mond.''
Rosamond blushed beautifully Per
haps he thought" she fa1tered.
Thought what?' demanded the beau
tiful aunt sharply.
That I might be-jealous," said
do you mean to say?'' the older
lady's eyes sparkled.
Horace thinks an awful lot OF me-"
said Rosamond.
A little later box of viclets came
from Bruce. He dropped In after
church to give the days greetings. |
Rosamond wore roses against the soft.
Wilderness of her satin dinner gown.
Where are my violets2'' he de-
manded {.
Rosamond blushed softly. But
Horace sent me these. Surely on a
holiday I should wear his roses"
Bruce gazed at her in amazement I
Horace he stammered. why III
thought 1t was your aunt he"
Horace thinks awful lot of me-"
prattled Rosamond.
Bruce stood up. ct wish you Joy of
7our three-cornered THANKSGIVING dinner"
he said stif1ly- Il suppose It is to be a
sort of love feast"
Rosamond lowered her 1ashes. "Oh,
please she fa1tered.
E3r11Ce aSSRd Horace he nI1f l