The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-22

Letitia's Lecture.
(By Catherine Cooper.)
MY dear Letitia, you are NO more
suited to the lecture platform than I
am to open mothers' meetings Nor
mon Prince ga1ed fondly down ut his
sweetheart. There was. however. SUI
ftctent of masculine superiority in his
expression to Arritate Letftia-
Men always make such absurd
comparisons, she retorted quickly.
Just because you cannot preside at q
mothers meeting ic no reason to sup
pose 1 cannot lecture successfully on
better babies.''
The idea is absurd" Norman said.
more hOtly than lie realized. "A girl
Of your age can't know anything about
either better or worse babies. and ~
Tor lecturing ON the subject to women
who have brought up children as old
as you .are-well. your own common
sense should teach you the folly OF
such an idea"
And your own common senee
should tell you that would not con-
slider lecturtng on a subject I had not
mastered. Just because women have
Drougnt up children Ia no sign they
have brought them up properly
And you are going to teach these
mothers what their children might
have been had they heard your lecture
first" Norman laughed long and
heartily.
Letitia's eyes were fixed wrathfully
upon him. She was very serious over
her proposed series Of lectures before
the club and she did not like being
laughed at. She was sorry Norman
was SO fine specimen Of manhood.
1t was difficult t. give him up, but
perhaps when she had succeeded In
showing him and her world that she
was an efficient speaker he would
come back to her and bow in acknQwl-
e6gment Of her gift
Before she could speak the fiery
words that would terminate their en-
gaseE1ent Norman himself gave ex-
preston to his quickly matured resolu-
ton.
"Letitia. I am sorry to have hurt
you, but I think I understand you
better than you do yourself. t also
realize that you are Going to give me
back my ring and tell me never to
darken your door again. Isn't that
right?''
Yes!" retorted Letitia defiantly.
We'll, under the circumstances,
think you are right. But see no rea-
son why we should sever our friend
ship. I have always been your best
friend and always want to be-" He
looked earnestly into Letitia's sur
prised eyes. Cant you manage to
promise me that?"
Yves" agreed Letitia, trying not
to seem amazed at his readiness to
sever the closer tie. But I will be
very busy during the next week or
two preparing my lecture" she added
by way of introducing the new Lee
titia. She more or less reluctantly
pulled of the beautiful ring from her
plump little finger and gave it to
Norman.
"Oh, thanks he said, with q mer-
~ smile. I'VE almost forgot to end
things properly" He put the ring in
h of vxyif hA ,ly
II suppose it is up to me to find an
other girl before this solitaire burns
hole in my pocket"
Letitia's head went up into the
air, but she made no comment. She
was frightfully hurt. but defiant.
Il want to help you all can"
Norman told her, with his usual gem
tie manner toward her. III you just
study UP yotr lecture and practice It
on me 1t will help you wonderfully.
You've no idea how difficult it is to
speak the things out that you have
conceived in your mind. especially be-
fore a seething mass Of people, Your
voice sounds like a lost soul when you
first speak and you get positively
CHASTITY weak in the knees" He
laughed in recollection Of his own
first attempt. $50 il you just practice
upon me a bit you'll find 1t will help
a lot when it comes to the nerve
racking ordeal"
Letitia essayed a smile, but she
felt rather weak in anticipation Of
her first speech.
"You are certainly cheerful and
encouraging" she said finally. How
ever, think your suggestion Is a good
one. will be very glad to speak my
lines over before you. 1t is good of
you to think of it." In her gratitude
Letitia would have offered him the
habitual lovers kiss. but she remem-
bered just in time that they were no
longer lovers but only friends.
Norman smiled but made no COM
ment. He had seen her swiftly with
held caress and in his heart rejoiced.
He did not press the advantage, but
shook hands in most friendly fashion
and left her.
After that Letitia threw herself
heart and soul into the preparation of
her lecture to be delivered before the
club women of the town. She felt
very important and very much in ear
nest. Norman seemed to have sud-
denly realized that she was q woman
Of some purpose. and was helping her
in every way. He listened patiently to
her speech sometimes twice during an
evening. until Letitia felt that she
could stand before a thousand people
and say it without a tremor or mis-
take.
II don't know what 1 would have
done without you." she told him on
the night before the meeting. You
are going to stand in the wings and
prompt me IL 1 need it, aren't you ?"
'Sure-you can't lose me- laughed
Norman He had tried. and with re-
markable success, to stifle entirely any
loverlike feeling he had for Letitia.
If the girl missed the comfort of his
great, strong arms she did not say So
The following morning Letitia