The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-09
The Eoe,,ine Story
Tho Fa1nily Album.
(By Ella Randall Pearce.,

Tho Family Album.
(By Ella Randall Pearce.)
Mrs. Gilmer found it hard to under
stand her daughters mood this eve
ming. Cora had come homo after her
days work at the store. unusually
buoyant and sparkling; then she had
relapsed into thoughtful moodiness,
| and after she had helped clear away
the remnants OF the evening meal.
she seemed actually cross.
| What's the matter. daughter" the
elder woman felt constrained to ask.
NOTHING" replied Cora sharply: then
added in quick contrition. "Oh. ma, I'm
all upset! I've told Mr. Wheaton he
could call-Mr. Wheaton. our new stock
manager. you know-and now don't
want him coming here"
Mrs. Gilmer glanced around tho neat
apartment. I'm sure there's nothing
to be ashamed off, she remarked
sort he won't mind. IT'S you he is
coming to see, I suppose?"
"Oh, yes; but Mr.. Wheaton's very
stylish, ma You know how important
first Impressions are. When he knows
different then. Now. he'd just think
lived in the basement and pa was
janitor. And we'd all have to sit in
this little room"
pa and IN stay in the kitchen" in
terrupted Mrs. Gflmer. What II your
pa did get sick and lose his job. and
we had to come here and take charge
Of this building for q while? I'm sure
it's honest, and better than owing or
begging"
Just the same it's humiliating," said
Cora. Say. ma, I've been thinking.
There's apartment No. 3. The Fowlers
are away, and we've got the key. We're
free to go in. What harm If sit IN
their parlor while tomorrow night?
| Cora Gilmer-what an fdea!'
IT'S q good one," said Cora doggedly.
TITS a sweet little place, and I'll dust
around. and light the gas lamp. and
put on my best bib and tucker. and
have a lovely evening. I'll slip our
name in above the bell. Now. ma
please
It ended by Cora having her own
way as usual. When Mr.. Joseph Whea-
ton. smartly attired. appeared at Cor
ona Court and pressed the electric bell
Of apartment No. 5. he was cordially
received by Miss Gilmer, pink checked
The artistic room was softly lighted.
Arabian lace curtains fell over the
broad windows Easy, cushioned chairs
faced one another socially. There was
an air Of richness and good taste. which
| did not escape the young mans notice.
Cora was more than usually viva
| cious. The novelty of her position,
!ception, stimulated her into a high
pitch Of animation. To young Whea-
tom the time flew on rainbow wings.
He had admired Cora in the store, but
he found her infinitely more attractive
in these harmonious. homelike sur
lroundings.
"I'm going to like this town when
get acquainted" he said toward tho
end Of the evening. 1--WE got q cou-
sin married and settled here some
where. I've got her husbands busi-
ness address. Never met him. but
they say he's a fine fellow. They'll
introduce me about when get time
to look them up"
) "It doesn't take a man long to get
acquainted in q new place." remarked
Cora lightly.
Wheaton looked at her in a way that
was highly complimentary. But
when do take a notion. it's pretty
well fixed" He laughed and Cora
laughed. too. Then a swift embar-
rassment fell upon them both. Their
glances met.
'Well. IL here isn't q family al
bum! exclaimed the caller brislkly,
reaching toward the lower shelf Of the
center table. Lets see who's who in
the Gilmer family"
J Cora drew her chair beside him.
but her heart was beating in panic
} Of a sweet-faced matron. my moth
; err she said glfbly. driven on by a
sense Of threatened, danger. "And
here's my father, too. Yes. he is q
nice-1ooking man. And"
, wait. want to see these Her
} companion caught her hand lightly,
and the touch so confused Cora that
she could not look at him. If she had
looked she would have found food for
, thought.
"Your father and mother?" repeat
} ed Wheaton slowly. -
: Eyes. I suppose you're thinking I
: don't resemble them. WE'LL don't "
/ She fused with her hair and twisted
} the bracelets on her Wrists.
, Young Wheaton was turning the
/ pages Of the album. ''And what's
: this?" He pushed tho book toward
her again. She saw that he was point
> ing to a picture OF. . baby. q round
faced, nondescript little figure in white
furs.
) "That?'' Cora laughed nervously.
, ''Why. that's me! How did you guess
, It? Oh. all the rest are my cousins
and my aunts-and some uncles.
don't see why ma keeps that old al
bum around. It isn't interesting.
IT ind It very interesting" re-
turned her guest He looked round
, with q new air Of criticism. and then
at the girl IN pink. When Wheaton
went away he had invited her to 60 to
| the theater the next Saturday night.
! Cora felt that she had made q favor
able impression on her caller. but her
mind was troubled.
= "It's going to be harder than ever to
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