The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-22
The Euening Story

DIV Hone Ainslee. }


| (By Hope Ainslee.)
You'll look too pretty for words
with your hair powdered and with Q
fetching patch beneath your eye,
dear" said Mrs. Melledge. affection
ately.
Corinne Long laughed. ''Flatterer!"
mot at all. Corfnne. 1t Is true and
1t will solve the difficulty Of the grand
march for us wonderfully MRS Ram-
sey is to get q man and / was to ask
If you would lead it. Every one Is to
wear colonial costume and you and
your partner are to be exact repllcas
Of George and Martha Washington.
1T sounds attractive, but why ask
a poor little unknown dancing teach
er to lead your march when you have
home club?''
one couple to lead it without mourning
displeasure, and so we decided that
was to ask some g1rl-preferaoiy
dancing teacher who would know now
to lead q march effectively; and Mrs.
Ramsey, the Woe president. was TO ask
a man friend. to be George Washing
ton. Strategy, call it,"
Anything you like and, ct course.
I'll do it for you. You've neipeo me
my present success to you." said Cor
inne heartily.
Don't forget. then, that YOU come
to me for the entire weekend. the
ut viii be a pleasure to look for
ward to. My studio in town ts all
very well. but your delightful subur-
ban home Is more than home to me
many thanks"
Mrs. Melledge, president of the Vii
lage Civic league. felt very much sat
isfied with her selection OF Cor1nne
Long as Martha Washington to lead
the march in the dance to be given
by the organization on the approach
ing patriotic holiday. She had always
been fond Of Corinne, and when the
girl had been forced through war time
conditions to earn her own living she
had been glad to help her to get
dancing class in the city.
"IH have the sweetest little Martha
Washington you ever saw. sne toio
Mrs. Ramsey at committee meeting
on the following day.
And wait till you see my George
| Washington!'' Mrs. Ramsey counter
enthused. "And he dances perfectly.
I'm fortunate in being able to secure
him. for-be it known-he's a most
popular dancing man In q fashionable
| circle in town."
The members Of the committee
were naturally curious as to the tden-
tity of their leaders-to-be. All the
town girls We'd with each other IN
planning their costumes and the men
of the town sought city cOstumers Tor
colonial suits for themselves. Much
/ interest was manifested In the ap-
preaching ball.
When Corinne arrived at the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Melledge and was
placed before a cheerful hickory fire
in the great dining room. she sighed
more contentedly than she had sighed
on any evening since she had become
was her first real holiday, and she
felt, once more, like the old Corinne
who used to be a member of house
parties in fashionable suburbs. with
dancing and gayety in prospect. How
little she had appreciated her care
free existence Of those days. How
little!
She wondered If the merry group
she once made a vivacious member of
ever thought of her. She had never
i once gone back to visit at home; she
/ had been too busy with her dancing
lessons, and she had hesitated to re-
turn for fear of the inconsistencies the
visit would produce.
You haven't showed the slightest
interest in your gown, Corinne." said
Mrs. Melledge, as she approached the
fire and sat on the arm of the girls
chair. Don't you want to see 1t ?"
Corinne slipped her hand into that
of her friend and sighed. "Oh, I've
just been SO happy and comfortable
right here in the big wing chair that
didn't give a mere. dress q neeting
thought" she admitted. where Is
it?'
I'm your room, hung up with law
ender bags and all its accessories. If
you aren't the success OF the evening
I'm not a good f0recaster," Mrs. Mel
ledge said. squeezing the girls hand.
, asked Corinne.
..He's to be here tonight-Marden
Drew. no less, my dear!''
Corinne shrank into the corner Of
Melledge-I-oh, why did you select
him ?r ~
Mrs. Melledge stood up and looked
searchingly at the girl. why
what's the matter. dear? Do you
know him?"
Corinne covered her face with her
hands. KNOW him? should say
Ibid know him."
There was silence for . moment be-
/ tween tho two women.
At last Corinne looked up. isn't
, there some one else who could lead
this march, dear Mrs. Melledge?
just can't do It with-Marden." she
said.
ledge tried to laugh Off what threat
ened to be Q tragic ending Of her
} plans.
.He-we were engaged" Corinne
|. began. when 1 had to leave home
J and find employment told him
/ well, you know how q girl feels who
has always had all I had She-she
sometimes acts foolishly. He told me
: had no faith in his love-thAt was
, merely finding an excuse to get out
} Of marrying him and-we-we had .
; dreadful quarrel. Then he left home.
? too. and we have never seen each 9TH
5 err since. That's al"
Mr.. Melledge put her arms about
the girl. Don't you suppose this II
fate-this chance coming together,
dear?'' she asked
Il oh don't know. sobbed Co