The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-20
TIE EVENING STORY
Playing Fair
(By Joanna Single, }

SirI admltS 1t or not, even to herself
Getting the right man or the wrong
one depends on how she plays her
cards Mrs. Haley paused impress
SlNely with knowing glance at her
daughter Josephine who bent over her
embroidery. The girl was apparently
/ obvious to the talk of the two older
women at their tea on the vine-shaded
porch. Mrs. Cor1ey, young and ultra
fashionable, with a pretty unhappy
race, murmured her assent.
"A girls cards are her youth and
beauty, her attractiveness, and if she
hides them instead of using them to
ner best advantage, she is Simply-a
fool That's what 1 say. No man that
amounts to anything, and has made
good in the world, is going about
hunting in a dark corner for a wife
He wants the girl that will do him
and his money credit
Mrs Corley took her cue, and still
Josephine seemed not to hear what
was entirely aimed at her ear.
Well, GenevieVe Thornton isn't
nldlng her light under a bushel, at
least. Did you see her openly play
for John Norman's attention last
more audacious?''
We'll, she succeeded. She went
pit too far, but a man seems to like
that sort of thing-it flatters him,
and before he knows it he is in love
with such a girl. And still there were
half dozen prettier girls present
girls that he hardly saw-girls thai
need his money and position more
than Genev1eve does, and who could
really shine better in his sphere. This
modest violet business is a lovely
theory, but as a WORKING
MRS. Haley suddenly ceased as her
friend hushed her and began speaking
Of the really lovely weather. A very
fine looking man about thirty was
coming up the steps. For the first
time 10 seemed quite awake. She
gave one frightened glance, saw that
she could not escape without being
seen, and relapsed into a polite little
statue.
why. Mr. Norman. How lovely of
you to come. Will you have some
tea ?? Her mother, then Mrs. Corley
shook hands with him. She herself
did not rise, but with timid reserve
hand. She inwardly thanked him for
paying her no more attention than
bare courtesy demanded, but somehow
she knew that his whole thought was
of her.
After a moment Freddy Palmer
breezed about the corner, Whitehead,
his wild, fair hair wind blown, his
tennis racket over his shoulder. He
bowed to everybody good humoredly
and straddled the railing near Jose
phine.
you're a good oner' he observed
severely. You promised me game.
and here you are all dolled up in
laces, and pecking away at some
trumpery sewing. You know you hate
it! Come on and play-you're as glum
as a fish, and these brilliant folks will
be gayer without YOU
He spoke with a schoolmate's dis
respectful truthfulness. Josephine
blessed him silently as she rose.
Il didn't promise you any game to-
day, but l will play one with you if
you like. Will you please excuse me?"
She looked straight at John Norman,
1isregarding her mothers displeasure
IT Will only take me a moment to |
get ready She prettily gave her
nand to the older man as she passed |
nim on her way into the house That |
gentleman watched her disappear. |
Then he gave full attention to the slim |
BOY perched on the railing. Yes, he |!
decided, youth always calls to youth, |
He sighed.
The moment the two were out of |
tight Mrs. Haley, with a cleverness
worthy of better cause, implied that |
was SO sweet of Josie to take mercy |
IN a child like Freddie, who was real |
y quite nice, but who had nothing but |
| good disposition. Did Mrs. Corley !
Know he was supposed to marry his
econd cousin, Alicia Browne? No?
His mother had told her. Wasn't it |
pretty party last night? She did hope
Ir. Norman had as pleasant a time |
IS he seemed to have. Did he find |
he midwestern girls as fascinating as
astern girls, on the whole? More so?
4ovely of him to think so. However,
he nicer western girls were, he must
NOW, quite as reserved as New Eng
and girls. She presumed that the
reedom and audacity of some western
iris were very aptivating-tempo-
arily, at least.
Mr.. John Norman was vastly
unused, and perfectly aware of what
vas being done to him. Since Jo-
ephine had literally fled from him,
e studied her mother thoroughly.
lie accepted an impromptu invitation
o dinner, quite Informally, with the
amily, you know" and hung about
josephine did not return. Again her
nother's veXation knew no bounds,
hough she was careful not to show it
90 much.
Along in the July evening the girl
anne sauntering home with Freddie
nd three other young folks. Cues
oned, she was found b1ameless. She
admit thought they would miss her
Mrs. Emory had without notice
AIKEN them all to the country club.
he curled up, feet under her, on a
ushion near the other girls and
Tould under no pretext be dislodged. |
John Norman began to see that she
lust indeed dislike him. For about
ne first time in his life he found
imself at a loss with woman-no,
18th slip of a sweet girl. Deter
lination arose in his heart.
Meantime Mrs. Haley was keeping
he social ball rolling. and saying in
-ardly that she should be obliged to
Xix plainly to Josephine about their
cry insecure financial situation. The
irl did not vet know how little her |
ather had left them, nor her moth
RS worried straining to keep her So ,
ial head above water until the =,
aughter should marry really well. ,
he would not mention John Norman,
course-JOsephine was so queer, so
Ike her father about matters of senti-
tent.
At the evenings end John Norman |
ffered to take home the entirely will
g and enchanted Gertrude Morri-
IN, who Immediately stiffened at his s