The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-31
TIE EVENING STORY
Rushing Rebecca.
CBy A. Maria Crawford.

(By A. Maria Crawford.)
You've been awfully good to me, Mr.
Bob, since we launched that scheme to
make me popular" Rebecca touched
the fragile valley lilies on her gown
tenderly. You have thought of every
thing to make it appear that you. really
cared for me, and now-now that you
don't have to feel responsible for get
ting me to the opera, to dances and to
the hundred and one places where peo-
pie go for amusement, 1 know you feel
that great burden is off your Shout
ders."
You have been no burden on my
shoulders, Rebecca. but you have Just
put one on my heart by your state
ment that you have no further need
of me-
Rebecca flushed. You know how to
make such pretty speeches. am
afraid 1 shall compare other men with
you and find the comparison unfavor-
able to them. You are going to make
1T hard for me to get a suitable hus-
band after all.''
Il offer myself, if by some divine
providence. you find me. that is, Il
Bob Stanfield. for an easy man of the
world was stammering like an awk-
ward schoolboy.
Your rushing me has made every
thing very pleasant here, but 1 would
not allow you to make the supreme
sacrifice of your whole life laughed
Rebecca lightly. t suppose that my
fate will be settled tonight 1t will
doubtless be either the Honorable
Archibald Steger or. Percy Pemberton
and his Millions Rebecca looked
through the doorway at the wonder
fully decorated ballroom, then back to
Stanfield, where he stood watching her.
There was wistful smile on the girls
face that he had never seen before. AT
ter all that you have done for me,
wonder if you and Aunt Margaret
would be very disappointed if 1 didn't
marry either one of them. / realize
that I am practically penniless and
that these men are So-caled catches.
cut well, to be frank with you, I
have decided to go back home and
teach music and be Independent. 1 had
excellent training before my money
spread its wings and flew away, so I
know that / can earn my own living
that way"
''Rebecca, what do you mean?"
"A month ago, when I came here to
visit Aunt Margaret, we entered into
a scheme whereby the eligibles of this
town We're made to believe that if
were worth the notice of the distin-
guished woman hater, Robert Stan
field, was also worth their consider
alton. In that way, you and Aunt Mar
garet planned to marry me to some
rich man who could give me all the lux
uries for which sighed AS 1 said be-
to me- The scheme has worked like a
charm. the plain Rebecca has been
rushed to her hearts CONTENT
And now the charming Miss Rebecca
can have her choice of the men here
and will have none of u.s. interrupted
Stanfield.
"She expects to go tomorrow away
from the lights, the flowers and Won
derful parties back to a little town
where she will be transformed from
this giddy person in white lace to a
prim music teacher in a black skirt
and shirtwaist My visit here has been
like a beautiful fairy tale come true
only this Cinderella's slipper was not
found by a prince; at any rate, not by
the right prince. There are at least
three men looking for me. I have cut
that many dances. Will you take me
back to the ballroom, please?"
mo, 1 want to talk to YOU
Later then. please, Mr.. Bob. 1
mustn't be rude. Mrs. Burton is giving
this lovely party for me-"
Remember now, you are to have
supper with me. If you forget, WE'LL
if you dare forget, will search every
corner until I find you
1t was a gay and charming ReDecca
who laughed and danced until midnight
when Stanfield made his way through a
group of men and bore her off to a
quiet little alcove screened with palms.
A table had been set for two. Candles
under rosy shades threw a soft warm
light over the mound of pink roses on
the cloth From somewhere across the
fragrant ballroom, rich, mellow voice
began singing Tosti's 'Good-by." They
sat listening quietly while the sweet,
full soprano voice throbbed with. the
composers agony of parting.
..All the tomorroEs shall be as to-
day. sobbed the singer.
Stanfield saw tear fall from I'M