The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-20
The Eue,1i1,g Story
The Wrong Chaperon.
(By Jean Dfckergon.)

The Wrong Chaperon.
(By Jean Dickerson.)
| Now, Eve. you win keep q watch
fui eye m Patty?'' urged Mrs. We'll
iington's sister with . swift glance to-
ward the tennis courts where Patricia
Lees was playing q vigorous game with
Hampton Shepard.
suppose by that. Susan. you
and leave a clear field for the elig-
ibies." laughed Eve wellington.
Mrs. Lees flushed. ''Well, Eve, Jim
my and Patty were made for each 9TH
er. you may say. but I wish Jimmy
were better off-oh. you needn't smile
in that superior way, Eve. II you
had ever possessed q child of your own
you would understand my feelings.
don't know why it is-but 1t seems to
| be fact that widows. especially young
er the practical side Of matrimony.'
| Experience should have taught
them better, Susan
Il should say so!"
they have learned that marriage with
out love il a cold and hopeless fail
ure."
| Mrs. Lees sighed. "Of course we all
know that Billy wellington was a
pushed you into It. Still. who could
have suspected that he would drink
himself to death within two years of
his marriage and"
Billy wellington is dead and the
past died with him, Susan" reminded
Billy's widow gently. Now. about
Patty and Jim; they are in love with
each other. Jim has enough to sup
port Patty. Why. oh. why. Susan
eron. blight their young happiness in
the interests of some other man. even
If he has few more dollars?"
Because I am a practical woman
and know that money outlasts love in
q cottage"
Eve laughed. How can you know
anything about it. you ridiculous wo-
man. when you and Robert Lees have
been as poor as church mice all your
lives and happier than most people ?"
That is different" said Susan dog
gedly. Il want to spare Patty all the
sordid cares Of poverty-well. genteel
poverty! have worked hard and
I've been happy. Bve. but don't want
/ my daughter to drudge in the same
way. she marries Hampton Shep-
| A red rose dropped from Ewes fin
gers, and when she arose from stoop-
ing to reclaim it. all the color had
drained from her lovely face.
! II would dismiss any fears for her
future happiness. He il clever, dis
! tinguished, of fine character, and 20
far as worldly goods are concerned,
he can take care Of Patty"
HE is older" murmured Eve. look
ing across the tennis courts where
Shepard was darting about with all
the agility Of youth. But-HamptOn
! Shepard was AZ and Patty Lees was
! twenty.
"Not too DID," defended Mrs. Lees.
with q sharp look at her sister. Then
| she was silent for awhile, reviewing in
her rather dull. plodding way, Incl
| dents that had happened fifteen years
TO Billy wellington; it had been q ST.
lent understanding in the family that
| If Hampton Shepard had not been IN
Russia at the time, Eve would never
have married Billy. AS 1t was susan
Lees, remembered with q little thrill
OF interest Just how Hampton had
Hooked when they broke the news OF
Ewes wedding to him.
1 And now, he was stopping at the
same summer resort, and Susan Lees
was hoping that he might fall IN love
with Patty and marry her!
At this moment the hotel bus came
ihonking up the drive and Patty came
running like deer across the lawn TO
kiss her mother goodby.
"I won't forget, Susan" said Eve.
Mrs. Lees leaned from the omnibus.
everything else forgotten In her ma
lternal anxiety.
Remember, Eve: leave Patty In
your care! Keep her In signt, gear
and remember. I want her TO De nap
py!"
gravely.
moved away. Patty waved her nano
until her mother was no longer VS.
! ihia Then she turned troubled gray
ewes ON her youthful aunt.
"Aunt Eve" she said. abruptly.
have you seen Jimmy Merton to-
day."
Eve thought intently.
81 saw him putting of in his motor
boat"
Patty's hands few to her heart.
"Aunt Eve" she gasped painfully.
i"Jimmy asked me to marry him ana
mother made me refuse; he was very
angry and went or saying he didn't
care a hang what became OF him.
/ s.ae will come back" soothed Eve.
1 'sHe was hurt. I suppose he thought
lyou loved him. and finding out the
truth hurts, Patty, dear"
AUNT Eve, 1 do love him!" sobbed
1.-THE girl against her shoulder. only
mother is SO forbidding, and 1
lthouRht. I was sure, he would come
back again and that some day 1t
would be all right What shall do
lie / never see him 2"
You will see him and be very
HAPPY" said Eve quietly.
At that moment Hampton shepard
came up to them
my adversary has fled" he said.
Iruefully.
i .NrH Lees has just gone to town
for a few days. Oh, MI. Shepard. 1
q spin in your boat? Patty and I are
dying for a breath Of salt air." Ewes
manner was warm and friendly a. It
ALWAYS had been.