The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-26
The Euening Story
Her Mothers Choice.
(By Louise Atlee.)

and not much substance to sustain
them. The deceased carried to his
grave the respect of all, and the wild
ow was equally well regarded. AS for
the daughter, Lucy, she was a general
favorite. She had reached the age of
eighteen and was a remarkably at
tractive girl.
Ralph Fenton, who had small
wooden factory and was twenty-three
years of age, was regarded as an I'M
usually promising young man, quite
good enough for any girl in Warren
county. Why shouldn't he be esteem
ed highly? He came from respect
choir; he had twice read the Declara-
ton of Independence In public the
Fourth of July, and, moreover, Mr.
Ralph Fenton was the only man,
young or old, in the village of Grant
will who raised his hat in the presence
of womankind. This latter was a dis
| tinction which at once set him apart
from the other less punctilious youths
of the vicinity.
In view of all this, Lucy Reming-
toms mother was not at all perturbed
when, one evening in early summer,
Ralph Fenton brought her daughter
home from prayer meeting on his
arm. He supplemented this, day or
two later, with a call, and was smil-
ingly received. Soon thereafter Grant
vile folk began to talk in whispers.
A conspiracy also was hatCh6u.
Several months earlier, in paying a
visit to town a few miles distant,
Lucy Remington had met the young
man with whom her immediates flu
ture was not concerned. He was in
every way as desirable as FentOn,
whom she was afterward to meet, but
when he drove over to Granville to
make a call and meet her mother, his
reception by the latte.- had been polite
to the verge of frigidity.
''Ynn don't IN like John Hnd-
son. ventured the daughter, when
the young man had departed.
II can't say that 1 do" was the
rather constrained reply.
But why not, mamma ?"
''It seems to me that his eyes are
too close together
What a funny criticism!' laughed
her daughter.
and he has high cheek bones"
How absurd!'
And his speech is rather affected,
it seems to me-"
Mother. you must have one of your
decidedly.
''WeI. I hope we shall see very lit
tie of Mr.. Hudson"
AS a matter of fact Mrs. Remington
| had been taking a long look ahead.
She had no intention to marry again,
and the end of her finances could not
be delayed beyond a couple of years.
What then? From her viewpoint there
state of affairs-if Lucy married the
right sort of man her mother would
be invited to make her home with
tractable son-in-law. She had made
up her mind that Fenton would fill
the bill admirably.
Mrs. Remington had not given the
shadow of hint of her real purpose
to her daughter, and, on the other
hand, Lucy had let no word escape
her lips that would indicate that she
thought well of Mr.. Hudson and was
everyday thinking better. He had
realized fully that Mrs Remington did
not like him, and he went to the house
no more. But that had not cut off
correspondence or prevented occasion
al meetings. The young folk were
practically engaged when Fenton
came into the field.
Fenton made frequent visits to the
Remington home ard was welcomed
cordially both by the widow and her
daughter. The latter seemed to find
the young man agreeable company,
and the mother congratulated herself
that her efforts for the family welfare
were likely to have successful out
come Could she have overheard a
conversation which took place one
evening as the precious young disem-
blers were returning from a local feS-
tival she would have been shocked be-
| yond expression at the discovery that
her hopes were certain to miscarry.
Mr.. Fenton," laughed the girl,
you certainly are one of the incest
| fellows L ever met.
Thanks, awfully," he returned
| promptly.
But 1 really don't think 1 could
ever learn TO love you.''
] Thanks some more!'
/ "A1So-I am engaged"
! Permit me to congratulate YOU
| you see, 1 want to be frank with
YOU
have been engaged to a girl over
| in Blissfield for the last three
months
II am so glad"
''And now how can 1 help your he
asked with a chuckle.
DO you know why mother should
| be so opposed to Mr.. Hudson?"
People become preiudiced without
yet how 1 could help you.''
"By-by not dropping me-yet,"
she stammered You see, mother
! has hopes that-that-"
| Il See!" ne came to the rescue.
| yves"
+.And if we keep up our appearance
of interest it will act as a cover for
your courtship with Mr.. Hudson?'
It's shameful to ask you to do
this
| "WelI, from all 1 hear of Hudson,
| he's mighty nice fellow, and I'm
glad to help him get such a jolly good
| girl for wife My marriage will not
take place for three months yet
We expect to be married about
| that time
In this interesting little matrimonial
game there were three against one,
but Mrs Remington was not an easy
GUTTER. When she discovered that
Lucy was meeting Hudson at the
postoffice, the library, and other
places she made it her strenuous
duty to intercept them whenever it
was possible. She persuaded two or
| three women friends to warn Lucy of
the risk girl ran in marrying a man
with high cheek bones and narrow be-
| fuoan owes She even nr0nnfed