The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-30
The Eoening Story


icy LOurene Otis.
Il hate goody-goody people!" Luz
ellie turned up her pretty nose to en-
phasize her remark, and succeeded in
making Dick Werner feel about an in
significant as a shoe button.
But I think there's q difference
between goody-goodiness. as you call
1t, and common honorableness. It's
just case Of not wanting to disap-
point Dad
But you're disappointing met"
Don't say that. Lucille he
pleaded miserably. you know I'd
do anything in the world for you.
Don't be unreasonable, dear. It's just
this way. You know what Dad thinks
of the Grand Army. It's his religion
almost You see he's getting very
old, and old people get a great deal
OF pleasure in thinking over the past
He lives over the entire war every
day. He talks Of little else, and Mem
or1al day Is to him the most sacred
time OF the year. I know what he
will do that day. and it will be plenty
lieve he'll try to make one himself:
he'll be in the first rank Of the pa
rade: insists on being on the flower
committee at the cemetery and wants
to do everything in the world that
the doctor has forbidden on account
l
these things alone. Some one has to
be with him constantly at home even.
And who else is there but me to look
after him tomorrow? I'm his only
son.
You could get Sam Brody."
Sam won't be sober on a holiday.
No. can't trust him with any one
| else. Besides, II Dad thought would
go to q picnic on Memorial day,
don't know what he'd do: just can't
hurt him that way, Lucille"
Very well. I'm not going to tell
the others that my fiance refused to
take me to the picnic because he had
j to play nurse. This is what 1 shall
tell them. and 1t will be true: You
are not going with me, because 1 hate
you and have broken our engage
ment." In her fury she drew of her
ring and flung 1t to the ground at his
feet. Then she turned and walked
away.
Dick stood looking after her miser-
ably. All along he had been afraid
Lucille was proud, spoiled and high
spirited. He had never really under
stood how q plain. everyday and mat
lter-of-fact fellow like himself had
been able to win her.
He started toward home, forgetting
to pick up the ring on the pavement.
Later he thought Of it and went back,
| but it was gone.
Lucille went to the picnic with
Wendell Stuart
The crowd was to meet at the
courthouse, where they were to get
the car for Greenwater Park. Lucille
and Wendell were the i--st to arrive,
and the others were lined up at the
curbstone watching the procession
pass by. Few Of the old soldiers were
keeping step to the fife and drum, a
great many leaned on canes, and
l MI "a To I'D 1~a
Through the crowd, Lucille caught a
glimpse OF old Mr.. Werner In tho front
rank. as Dick had predicted. and Dick
was beside him. his head up. looking
neither to the right nor left his faith
er's hand on his arm.
The crowd began to cheer, and Luz
ellie felt a queer little catch in her
throat
Wendell was talking. Above the tu-
multi of the crowd, and the shrilling of
the flies she caught some Of the words
mot ALL But it was something about
people showing off-bad enough for the
old buffers. but the limit when 1t came
to the young ones-believe him!
His words seemed to sicken her and
she shut her eyes for en- instant. Sud-
denly her heart went out to the grand
old men marching out there so proudly
under tho flag they had saved She re-
membered the words of q veteran she
had heard cnce in school. Children,
he had said. you mustn't think Of SOL
diers Al old men. Old men don't 20 to
war. We went to war, little boys, six
teen, eighteen. twenty years old. II
wasn't men that got shot to pieces.
children. It was boys. And when you
think Of Memorial day, children. don't
think Of us old men. We don't want
you to. Just honor the memory Vol
those other young fellows that died
fighting
She realized now who would make the
bravest Il brave soldiers should there
be war, and which one would be the
coward. Without word she turned
ana lefs her companion, nor did she
once look back until she reached her
home.
An hour later old Mr.. Knox returning
stopped At the gate. Seeing Lucille on
the porch he went in.
Samuel Werner had one Of his bad
spells this morning. at the cemetery,
Miss Lucille. I thought you mightn't
know about 1t and would naturally be
interested. It's a mighty good thine
Dick was along. ! tell you. or the poor
Old boy would sure be gone now. You
see. Dick knows just what to do--has q
hypodermic or something always ready.
, He certainly II . fine lad. Miss LucilIs;
nne lad. You ought to be mighty
proud OF him. Yes. he's all rieast now
} guess. They've got him home. sine
| e.Ss va -! NO. thanks, III just move
along. It's Gettin' near dinner time
Good morning.
without an tnstant's hesitation Lu-
2 ellie put down her book There was
only one thing IN the world for her to
90 now. and she didn't even wait to GET
It was only four squares 70 the Vern-
IGs. but It seemed Hike % many lniIea.
Most Of the way she ran ehe new %
. the front steps and found hernelf a
the wide. cool hall. hung with guns and
sabers and other relics Of thu war.
; a door opened ana Dick came ont.
: He faced her. spoechIeae WITH annese-