The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-05
THE EVENING STORY
The Affairs of Nudge.
(By Flora Gapen.)

lorWdro again, followed by her COM
panions, she found neither conductor
nor brakeman until several miles had
flown by. Then she gasped:
| Well. 1 don't know why I'm going,
| but I'm on my way. And I'm game
to go the rest of the way"
1t was just what Amy and Lucille
had been begging her to do, but Nudge
had a history topic to get in the next
week, and felt that she had better not
get far away from the university
| library.
1t was absolutely useless for Nudge
| to try to control fate.
Amy and Lucille We're on their way to
be bridesmaids at the wedding of a
sorority sister. Nudge had been in
V1ted to the wedding, but having been
the most youthful member of the soror-
1ty when Ruth Hubbard, the girl to be
married, was there, Ruth had not Sc
lected Nudge as a bridesmaid.
In fact, for number of reasons,
one would rather fear to ask Nudge
to fill such a responsible position. She
was exceedingly tall hence the name of
Nudge, and it would be hard to find an
equal sized side partner" Moreover,
she was utterly irresponsible, and in
Whatever she took part seriousness was
forced to flee. Even a solemn affair
might be turned by Nudge into one of
maudlin mirth,
Ruth Hubbard herself met the girls
at the train that evening, and when
she saw Nudge, fell on her neck.
You've saved my hfe," she ex-
claimed joyfully. Edna just sprained
her ankle few minutes ago, and the
man for her is coming from quite a
distance, and is one of Arthur's best
friends
Good enough! I just felt was 60
Ing to be needed and am perfectly
willing to wear Edna's dress if you're
willing to have me. Wouldn't it be a
scream?" And Nudge continued, as. If
quoting from the paper, "One Of Miss
Hubbard's bridesmaids was attired for
the most part in four yards of arms
and legs
But by dint of remarkably clever
manipulation on the part of the dress
maker, Edna's dress was transformed
for the event into a charming dress
for Nudge.
John Fisher, tall enough for Nudge.
was the last of the wedding party to
arrive. and had barely time to dress,
De introduced and proceed with the
others to the church.
The bridegroom and best man. who
were to come in from a door near the
altar, had arranged for a signal from
the party, which was to make its ap-
pearance from the vestibule. The sig
nal was the flourish of a handkerchief.
Unlucky John Fisher was selected
to give the flourish-unluckiIy it was
because of Nudge.
As the bridal party awaited the
bride, late even on her wedding day.
Midge. standing near the door with
Mr.. F1sher took that unhappy moment
to say:
Il remember you perfectly. Mr..
Fisher. You once said that you would
give me the ring, which you are wear
ing under the glove on your left hand
a big ring of several colors of gold
Inside of the ring, there are some
words engraved. Goes something like.
And this too will pass
what are your was the startled re-
Spouse from Mr.. Fisher as he reached
for his handkerchief. feeling that drops
OF perspfration threatened to ooze out
upon his brow. Are you a medium?
For fact, are you? I don't remember
having met you before-don't even re-
call your name
He did not have an opportunity to
finish Around them they heard a
buzz of excitement. The bridegroom.
best man and minister were solemnlv
marching forth and the bride was not
there.
What shall we do? Where is Ruth ?"
We must do something"
Mr.. Fisher, you shouldn't have waved
your handkerchief theni'
DID wave my handkerchief? Indeed
l. did not mean to. What a calamity
But Ruth fortunately came inst then
and relieved the tense situation and the
anxiety of the bridegroom and best man,
who had turned alternately pale and fIorid
The wedding went without any other
untoward events Nudge caught Mr.
Fishers eye fixed upon her number of
times during the ceremony One of the
other bridesmaids noticed 1t also
You seem to have made an impression"
she whispered later. He is an old peach
look So fetchingly."
He is a dandy Nudge thought ct like
the way his hair has turned gray over his
ears, and what a splendid face he has SO
fool"
During the reception Mr. Fisher. after
Nudge to one side of the lawn.
May I pursue a subject which you
started? How could you describe my ring
so perfectly"
I've seen it more than once and 1t made
an impression upon me-
And I haven't the faintest recollection
Very f1attering to be so completely for
gotten Strange, too. when you have
fond1y held my hand
Nudge had again been enticed away from
him after that revelation
Well, she is a charming girl and
mischievous one" he figured Held her
handi 1 declare, can't recall
He had no chance for further converse
ton alone with Nudge during the remain |
der of the afternoon and evening. but the
next morning they met before breakfast
for a short stroll. After some additional
tantalizing, Nudge remarked:
I've concluded that Sallie Endicott was
a fool though 1 did all I could to spoil
things in those days. Now do you re-
member me2
far back in my past to include any one
so young as you. Sallie came way back
in youthful past But can't seem able
to see where you came in Oh-were you
the-why it can't be"
.yes, I was the niece who hid under the