The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-01-23
The Evening Story
Dolly-Debutante.

4
Dolly-Debutante.
(By A. Maria Crawford.)
Life was bewilderingly gay for Dolly.
She had finished 1T select school In
June and had Immediately sailed with
her parents for the tour of Europe that
Is indispensable nowadays In the edu-
cation Of the daughters Of the rich. In
planning formally to present her to
society. her relatives urged her to pick
and choose a husband as high up So
cially and financially al possible. She
could certainly get anybody she want
ed, for she possessed all the feminine
requisites for the bargain.
Dolly was wonderfully pretty. She
was slender and graceful. at ease in q
ballroom, ON q golf course, ON horse
back. or in a boat. Her hair was
brown Her eyes were bright and the
color Of deep purple pansy. They re-
minded Bob McClung Of the amethyst
mist that hung at twilight over the
mountains around his ranch at home.
He had met Dolly when she visited
her aunt on the coast during the last
weeks Of the summer. He had fallen in
love with her. His attack had lasted.
even when the chill in the air caused
the fair summer visitors to have their
maids quietly fold their suit cases and
pack their trunks and return to town.
Dolly's mother had asked him to be
present at her daughters debut party.
knowing at the time that his case was
hopeless. for Dolly had been told not
to limit her hirtations, but when It
came to falling in love, or, at least, to
choosing a husband, she must conflne
herself to two suitors she had quickly
acquired. One Of them was Jim Lurton,
rwvt~<> To- II
country houses. and his millions. The
other prospective son-in-1aw was a
duke. who had trailed Dolly all over
continent. and then across the sea-
Dolly was bordering all these things
tn her heart while she sat resting In her
pretty Httfet sitting room. The after
noon was over. She had met the satin.
chiffon. and charmeuse clad dowagers
and their old maid daughters, who re-
manned unattached because they had
gaxed too long at the pictures of counts
and earl6 across the ocean. Dolly had
met them graciously and cordially an
swered their mumured pleasantries
that they could hope nothing better for
her and for themselves than that she
should follow in her beautiful mothers
footsteps and marry q man in their
midst SO that they would not be de-
prived of her charm and loneliness.
She was thinking over all these
things while she waited for tho time
when she must put on the wonderful
lace gown that was spread out on her
bed and go downstairs again to stand
beside her mother and go through the
same hypocritfcal proceeding she had
endured in the afternoon; but this
time she would be greeting the young
element of the city's elite. Her maid
tapped at the door. More flowers had
arrived. She would carry the gifts
up one by one to show mademoiseiie.
No, Marie. You're tired. Just
write on each card what kind of flow
ers came with it and put the cards on
my desk with the others. If you
should-should-" Dolly hesitated.
If there should be anything from
Mr.. Bob McC1ung. bring it up here,
but don't mention it to anybody,
please"
The little French maid smiled. she.
too. had been young and in Already.
II will. mademoiselle. Anything
else %
Nothing, thank you.''
Then arms over her head. Dolly sat
dreaming until Marie came running in
bfeathlessly.
Wonderful! Exquisite! See, made
moiselle!" She held out great box Of
violets. In the center rested q bunch
of lilies Of the valley and orchids
From Monsieur McC1ung.''
81 will carry them tonight, Marie.
Put them in my dressing room. Then
come and put my hair into shape. I'm
afraid I've ruffled 1t horribly
Dolly's mother swept into the room.
Remember. dear, to carry Jim Lur-
toms American Beautiea / explained
/ to the duke that you carried his flow
ers this afternoon. He was quite
touched"
II don't doubt that. mother" laugh
ed Dolly. THE jeweled flower holder
must have cost him a small fortune -
II didn't mean any slang. Dolly. Do
be serious.''
81 want to carry lilies and orchids.
Look at the lovely cluster in my dress
ing ROOM
who sent them?"
'I'H tell you in the morning. There.
Aunt Elizabeth IL calling you. Be q
dear and let me do what pleases me
about the f1owerA"
tally about them, Dolly. but carry
them II you want to do it. They really
are lovely"
Marie dropped white envelope
mademoise1le, under the fowerH I
will get your pearls while you read
Dolly opened the note with eager
Dear. dear DOLLY cannot hope
party. mere win b 70 very. very
many others and perhaps you have al
most forgotten the rAnchmAn from
Montana who dared and continues to
sa ag. e e l Sssp yGn You oa1 ny y'o =
bob HCLUNo..
Dolly wondered at the sudden tnE1liing q
Sc eel IN nuI md e Wind. esEsr. aiivs 1seh the
love Of lie, seemed to smile mp At her
from ne p.ss in her hand. She foldsd
y Il II L & love madsmoiaslls." came ~