The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-30
The Euer,ine Story

(By Joanna Single.)


It was late In January, one of those
first days Of thaw when the sun II
hot for few days. and the world
things freeze again, but real spring IL
not far away.
On such a day Doris Carson walked
up. 1t was q simple but strange little
circumstance that walked her. She
overheard what was not intended for
her. Her own mother was talking to
her father. and Doris. snoozing on tho
sofa after her hsSd days work. caught
every word when they thought her
safely upstairs. -
Doris Is neafiy thirty" said her
father. III she.C ever going to marry
Pier wants her he'd better marry her.
He's kept other men off for five years
now. I've notion to refuse him the
house., John Carson growled and rat
tied his paper.
Hes never really made love to
her. I guess" said the mother. Il
don't know why, but you can't ques-
ton Dorrie. She keeps to herself. And
he's an old friend-perhaps he's never
meant any more than friendship. Any
how, wish't she'd wake up. She's
always pretty and sweet. That Peter
Jeffr1en would give his ears to get her,
but don't want her to be a second
wife-with two children to begin on.
But do wish she'd see that Jerry 10
taking all her time and giving her
nothing. He's always around here. I
should think she'd begin to see that
she's under his thumb"
shes bound. and he's free-it
amounts to that. I'll bring him to his
senses If this goe: on much longer
get to bed"
The anxious pair turned out the
lights ana went upstairs. but Doris.
her heart in her mouth, lay silent,
glad they did not discover her. So
that's what probably the whole world
thought because Jerry did not ask her
to marry him! She had been very
unhappy about this, not knowing
whether he loved her or was simply q
most devoted friend.
! Her parents talk stung and hurt
both her heart and pride. Was she
letting her fondness for Jerry Pier
destroy all womanly dignity in her
self? Then and there she resolved to
take action-and her mothers hint
bluff, hearty. manly young widower
Several times he had called on her but
Jerry had always been on the spot
and outstayed him. She stole noise
lessly to bed. but not to sleep. It was
dawn before she lost consciousness
but she had decided upon a course oi
actton-Jerry should not think that
she was wax in his hands.
The next morning Doris arranged
her pretty hair in q new and less prin
fashion. touched UP her dark blue Of
flee dress with q fetching crimson tie
and wore her best cloak and hat. Shs
bought bunch Of violets for hel
lapel and hummed song Al shs
walked instead OF riding, and the fresf
wind whipped glow into her smootl
4 Jerry, and he turned and walked bacl
with her q few blocks But this tims
something new happened. She had
not gone halfway to the office before
i Peter Jeffries came gayly along be
hind her. overtaking her,
well, Miss Doris Carson, you lool
good to me this fine morning! Ma,
; walk with you? For I'm going to
anyhow: only I'll have to mind m,
feet, for my neck'n be twisted will
looking at you. wonder II you know
how pretty you are"
her. She coQuetted with him delicate
~. and It had been long since she hat
played with any man but Jerry Nov
I Jeffries marked her flowers
d ''Vio1ets." he said. well, II Pie
can give you violets. I can add q pinl
, rose. Let's stop here They stoppe,
; at q florists. ana just a. they cam
| out across the street Doris saw Jerr.
! himself. He lifted his hat and sh
: bowed and walked on with the othe
} man. Something made Jeffrtes know
that his chance had come.
Wont you go with me to ee
sSpringtide' at the Met tonight? It
q pretty play, TIM told. and I'd enjo
with you Please!" his laughin
| voice coAxed her.
ready. Here's my office"
II well, goodby TILL this evening" L
j | Z moment he was gone
Doris IN spite of = sleeDto9D na8hl