The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-25
TIE EVENING STORY
Forgetting.


: young. 1t was the course prescribed fo
| Drusilla by her father, and for Tom by
his mother when the two youngsters pre-
scented themselves, declared themselves IL
love, and demanded family recognition D
a brief engagement to be followed by
June wedding of great pomp and circum
stance. This was how the young folk:
had it figured out.
Followed CONSERVATION, a family counse
of war succeeded by a joint counsel be
| tween both families-and a complete veto
| Tom needed a years travel before set
Ting into his fathers ancient business
Drusilla needed more musical training
| and a trip, say to Japan, with Cousin
Cornelia dTagon-in-chief of the mother
| less girl. And both of them were toe
young, anyhow, and didn't know what
they wanted
The youngsters were called in at the
end of the more or less polite parrying
| and thrusting. The decision was an
nounced and Papa Thornston prepared to
| hold the weeping but yielding Drusilla to
his breast. He had the surprise of his
| life She laughed, scandalizing Cousin
Cornelia and Mamma Blackmore. Dru-
| silla laughed.
In short she remarked, while Tom
| held her hand, the Blackmores ana
| Thorntons never have liked each other
and decline closer relationship. Our peo-
pie are not gay enough for the Black
mores, and they are too gay for mine
| Both families have more money than they
need Tom and have done the fair thing
and -: asked start. 40 You refuse US 90
You won't announce our engagement
or give a wedding or money to live on?"
1T would not be wise,' stammered MI
Thornton solemnly.
Briefly, there's nothing doing re
marked Tom. You expect us to forget
each other simply because
''F7or no real reason flashed Drusilla
1T would be different if Daddy had any
real objection to Toms morals or man
ners-or anything. And-Mrs. Blackmore
has always known me. She knows no
harm of me" The old lady tried eagerly
to explain, but the girl was impatient
| ssNT- 1rn1II
me for Tom that he can't have me! Well,
we have nothing more to say.
The two went out together, leaving their
elders to wonder what they would be up
to- They took things in an astonishing
way. Cousin Cornelia was uneasy.
Things happened aftgr that nat ,I Melomer
Toms mamma and Drusilla's papa, at
their respective and luxurious breakfast
tables had the shock of their lives. The
Morning Journals society column giee-
fully mentioned the engagement of Miss
DrusilIe Blake Thornton to Mr. Thomas
Preston Blackmore the wedding date to
be announced later. There was no men
ton of parents other sponsors.
Mrs. Blackmore was at the telephone
and called up the Journal office before
she remembered that surprise at hearing
her sons engagement would be sweet
morsel of gossip for society. She hung up
of this came Mr.. Thornton and Aunt
Cornelia in electric and deep concern
The children were taking things in their
own hands-what was to be done? Thomas
was not to be found and Drusillas maid
said her mistress had gone for a walk.
walled Mrs Thornton Everybody will
be calling me up to ask about it! L dare
not let them see feel as 1 do! What shall
we do?'
Aunt Cornelia was sure she didn't know.
She said that in her time girls were not SO
forward, and that boys knew their duty
better, a fact that seemed of small as
sistance in the predicament on hand
While they were still talking Tom came
eaten breakfast at a cafe. He was deluged
with Teproachers and question.
We put in . the encouragement mSe9 our our
time and argument Everybody knows Il
now, you see. Nothing can be done. OF
course. L can't marry Drusilla on nothing;
you are bound to make us wait, we will
have to-till you come to your sense,
mater. 1 don't want to be disrespectful,
but I am the person concerned not you
And, Mr.. Blackmore, will tell you frank
ly what We are up to-
Everybody held his breath, but what
came was too much for them.
'Drusilla has been to DR.. Trumbull and
laid the case before him. She is going to
for Nurses next Monday. She wants
something to do, and she won't be depend
ent on her father until 1 can make my
own way and hers"
Mr. Thornton's face was black, and
Mrs. Blackmore saw in Mortified vision
the morning papers with accounts of the
butterfly life to care for the sick and suf-
fering. Her dignity was touched to the
quick.
May I ask, young man. said the boys
father, what you propose to do with
yourself? The business is waiting for you
to take hold of, since you refuse further
education. Well?"
rive been thinking he said. you
haven't offered me any salary to speak OF,
and the work would be only nominal. I've
been to see Rich & Lathrop." He looked
his father straight in the eye. You see
1 know motors pretty we'll And know
fellows with money-and influence. They
are, 1 may say with all modesty, wild to
get me for salesman In fact, they Of
fered me $500 month to begin on if give
them all my time and make good. That
would keep US if worst comes to worst |
wedding. Girls always like up myself
would just as soon be tied up by a justice
of the peace, judge, mayor or police |
man-anything SO the knots tight But
I'd hate it for her.
DAYS of trouble and turmoil passed for |
the elders of Tom and Drusilla, but the |
Young things kept a firm front. 1t must
be confessed that the girl wept moro |
than once on her lovers shoulder and was |
eomforted- She brought home great |
TrumbuIFs office, had some stripped |
nurses uniforms made and Mortified |
Aunt Cornelia by talking about diseases |
Her father began to see that she was in |
earnest.
Sunday afternoon, before the Monday |
on which Drusilla was to enter the hos |
pital things came to a head. Drusillas |
faIner called her into the library and had |
a talk with her. She was sweet and re- /
spectfrl but she didn't yield an inch. He |
that Young man appeared at the house, |
found him also obdurate Then Mr. |
Thornton did the handsome thing. 1t was |
like him to let go of one bone for an |
other The children might have their |
way. but he could trouble his ancient |
enemies. the BIacknlores. The conference |
rNwrxc 1of t7ITerc tho hi and