The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-15
The EDening Story
Happiness First.

married and shoulder your share of
responsibility? Mrs. Estes put this
question to her sons chum, who was
also her attorney.
My dear Mrs. Estes, as a bachelor
I can be nice to all the ladies, but once
I'm married must limit my attentions
to the woman who condescends to take
me-" Tom smiled at Mrs. Estes as he
pushed aside the papers they had been
discussing.
You're just beating about the bush
with that silly argument" Mrs. Estes
was kind, but firm, as she continued
her attack. First thing you know
you'll be an old bachelor instead of
you it will be for your money Tom.
you're too fine a man to dwindle into
a Sinking old bachelor whom all the
girls smile upon in the open and frown
upon in private
You're merciless, Mrs. Estes. Be-
sides. I'm only "a, and not quite
nuisance even to the girls of 20"
There was spirit in Toms retort.
I'm being purposely direct, Tom,
for you're just at the point where
man begins to take up each younger
set of girls as they come on, and. once
settled in that habit. his doom is
sealed 1 want you to have happier
fate, and want some nice girl to have
the happy fate of becoming your wife
while you're still the charming Tom
Wayne who is welcome everywhere"
Her voice was full of feeling.
81 make my humble obeisance for
the compliment, my lady and may I
ask whether you have a particular
girl picked out fer me?'
mo- shaking her head, 'for the
girls nowadays are as bent upon put
ting off marriage as the men are 1
know any number Of nice girls who
would make good wives for men like
you if both of you would only throw
aside those foolish notions about not
giving up your so-called freedom"
Bring 'em on in numbers as many
as you like" laughed Tom. There's
safety in numbers, you know, but
don't set me adrift with some par
ticular one"
rs that bargain. Tom" demanded
Mrs. Estes.
Yes, but what are you up to now?"
I'm going to have seven girls at
my country house for g. girls party to-
morrow afternoon and evening 1 dare
you to drop in Unexpectedly for din
ner."
Dare me? I'll be there, and Ina
no. bit scared, for seven is my
lucky number" Both laughed as they
babe each other good afternoon.
The next evening, as Tom Wayne
steered his gray roadster into the
road way that wound under the big
trees up to the country home of Mrs
laughter coming from the big front
veranda, he said to himself that he
was fool to have allowed himself to
be drawn into a company of seven
frivolous girls. He could imagine to
what heights their frivolity had
reached after whole afternoon to-
gether, but he determined to let Mrs
Estes see no sign of his weakening
ANY chance for a hungry tramp to
get dinner here?" he called out. as
he brought his car to a stop
why, Tom Waynei" exclaimed
Mrs. Estes, in effusively feigned sur
prise, where did you spring from?
OF course, you can have your dinner,
but you'll have to earn it by being gal
liant to all these girls
Nothing could give me greater
pleasure" said Tom, stepping from
the car.
I've are seven,'" sang out Dolly
Peters, and general giggle followed,
as she added: "And you are only one!
It's going to be strenuous gallantry
for YOU
'At your service, even if you were
seven times seven, though increasing
the number couldn't possibly increase
my pleasure" And Tom went up the
veranda steps smiling and bowling to
each girl in turn. Discovering that
Two OF the girls were strangers to him
brought little reserve into his man
ner, especially as one of the strange
girls-a high-headed blonde, with
creamy white skin and hazel eyes,
greeted him with their introduction
with dignity that had in 1t a hint of
hauteur. She wore one of those soft
white gowns loosely belted and hang
ing in profuse folds and plaits which
failed to conceal the beauty of the fig
ure it covered.
Tom rightly supposed that her lack
OF cordially was partly due to dis
pleasure at having man thrust him
SER into what was to her an Adamless
Eden.
Mrs. Estes saw the situation and
fastened to cover it.
Miss Enderby is from Boston, Tom.
rand I'm sure she'll be glad to know
you're a Harvard man. The astute
hostess then went into the house to
arrange some things about the din
ner, and Madge Enderby and Tom be-
gan to speak of Boston.
Now, Madge,' called out Dolly
Peters, you needn't think you're go
ing to monopolize our only mani
We've held a council of war and de-
cided to call him to the front to lead
an exploring party into the ravire
where the wild columbine grows
But, mind, Dolly" said Mrs. Estes,
coming to the door, you must be back
in half an hour, for dinner is due
| then"
Trust me n to miss one of old
4<dHcy ) ulIHeTS, especially aIter the
| glimpse I've had of your garden and
poultry yard called Dolly, as she
rounded up the other girls and started
down the broad steps.
Whats the matter, Madge? Don't
you like Tom % whispered Dolly
II neither like nor dislike him.
replied Madge, but l don't see why
we should coddle him so. We could
have done all this and more If he
hadn't come, SO why let him think he
IS the only source of happiness for
us?"
Dolly laughed and ran ahead to be
first in line as they reached a path
leading down from the orchard into
the ravine. Madge was the last in
line, and, instead of following the
others, turned into a path leading to
the left Uhere she could see a finv