The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-26
The Euening Story
Patricia'S Influence.
(By June Gahan.)

| (By June Gahan.)
But, my dear Mrs. Chase, you
know 1 have never been an acknowl-
edged suffragist,' protested Patricia
Way.
Not acknowledged, perhaps, Pa
tricia, but a suffragist just the same,
Mrs. Chase insisted, tactfully. And
in this instance we positively need
your assistance Don't refuse-please."
I"Well-what is it? Shall 1 ride a
white horse in the parade? Do you
want me to shout a speech from some
housetop? Must 1 act as a sandwich
girl with yellow votes for women all
over me?" she asked, frivolously.
Wrong every time. This is Il much
more delicate and tactful piece of
work, Patricia, and 1 am sure you can
do it,
DE tell me what it is" begged Pa
tricia impatiently. Since she knew
she was in duty bound to do this
favor for her friend Mrs. Chase, to
whom she was under obligations, So
cially, that she could never repay,
she was anxious to know what it was
I'm consumed with curiosity.
Mrs. Chase began by asking O. ques-
ton. Such is the beginning OF many
"a woman's conversation. do you
know that next Sunday is Mothers
Day %
Patricia indicated that she did by a
series of affirmative mods.
ministers all over the country are
going to preach Mothers Day SER
mons, and most of them are going to
put in word for woman suffrage"
Patricia nodded again. compre-
hendingly.
t'I have seen every one of our min
listers but the Rev. Mr.. Hubert Stone.
1t happens that do not know him. 1t
also happens that he seems not to be
greatly IN favor of this movement
and, therefore, must be approached in
the most diplomatic manner by the
most taetful and attractive person
possible. ~ & - -
Patricia placed a hand over Mrs.
Chase's mouth playfully. Don't
you embarraSS me-
Never mind about that, Patricia,
will you do it? Will you go to him
personally and ask him to speak
good word for woman suffrage in his
Mothers day talk? If you feel that
you can't argue with him, just tell
him simply, that it is a religious
movement, inasmuch as it is arrayed
against all the vice of the country.
The evil forces are working against
it. Ask him to make some reference
to giving the mothers of the race
greater power to extend their pro-
tective care over the children of the
state. Now, that isn't difficult, is it?"
Patricia frowned. I'll try to do
the best 1 can. And do know him
slightly" she admitted.
What she did not admit was that
the young minister that occupied the
pulpit in her church really, had given
evidence OF MS dQnllrdClOn OF ner.
She had given him no encouragement
as yet for she feared if she did that
her days as free agent would
be numbered. If she read Hubert
Stone Alright, he would make short
work of wooing.
When she called 10 see him at the
attractive, vine-covered rectory she
had misgivings as to the successful
outcome of her errand.
AS she sat in the comfortable re-
ceptiOn room waiting for DR.. Stone
to come from his study, Patricia re-
hearsed what she was going to say
Miss Way, this is indeed a pleas
ure," her host began, as he entered
interrupting her self-rehearsal and
taking her hand in both his own
This was his friendly. manner-Pa-
tricia did not misunderstood it. She
had seen him do it before to other
parishioners, men and women.
wait and see if it is Patricia
managed to say as she withdrew her
hand and took her seat again.
DR.. Stone raised his eyebrows in
mock surprise "why? What is it?"
he asked. ''Going to be married.
Patricia shook her head. Indeed
something nice for-for-for mothers
in your Mothers day sermon" she
began.
The minister laughed. "And pray.
what else would 1 do, Miss Way?"
Whether he knew what she meant to
say or not she could not tell.
II mean that I want you to say a
good word for woman suffrage, the
biggest movement in the world today.
You will have such a wonderful OPP
portunity to help us-you with your
broad influence and on such an auspic-
1ouS occasion" He let her continue
without interrupting her. You know
that in practice woman suffrage makes
for righteousness; you know that the
woman workers of your parish-and
of every parish-need this instrument,
the ballot, to extend their power. Now,
don't your" she asked.
Il know one thing, anyway" he
said, looking at her kenly And that
is that you are pretty we'll up in your
lines''
Patricia looked crestfallen for
moment.
"Oh," the rector FASTENED to assure
her, Il don't mean that you seem not
in earnest. 1 simply mean that you
speak well, more convincingly and Sc
riously than I thought you could on
this subject
Then you have thought about it,
too?" Patricia asked, quickly bright
ening
1t was the minister's turn to nod
TT have he said, still not committing
himself
And will you speak favorably about
it on Sunday?''
Il have already written my sermon.
have planned just what to say he
said smiling automatically.
eAnd Won inst wait opfJ coo Mics