The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-09
EVENING STORY
With Mother Away.
(By Louise Oliver. }

Sophia Kingsley, motherly and COM
petent, at the other. In between were
Mary and the twins on one side and on
the other were Philip, Margery and
Bob. This story is about Margery.
Papa kingsley carved the steak.
Said he, putting a large helping of
gravy into Bob's mashed potatoes,
Mamma, how would you like to take
a vacation?"
This unique suggestion produced
varying effects upon the family. There
were even protests.
"a vacation. John! Are you in
earnest %
Certainly I am You haven't had
real one in ten years nor have I.
Grenoline has declared a fifty per cent
dividend-got my check today-and it
just happens I've got things at the
office in pretty good shape to leave
for three or four weeks. What say?"
Can we go?" piped the twins.
But, John, we need began
"Oh, ratsi' John was going to say,
but stopped in time to modify it into,
"Oh, cricky! We need a new this and
new that and million things, but
if you keep on killing yourself through
hot weather with no rest I'll need q
new wife. What say, mammal"
But" here interposed Margery in
CONSERVATION, how can we get along?
We can't manage without mother!'
Cant? How old are you. Mar
gery?"
Twenty"
Then 1 just guess you can manage
without mother. When you get mar
ried you'll have to manage without
! her."
"But-but that's different" And she
| added Indignantly to herself: And If
| ms mill
get married, for so much depends now
| on her being here. If I have to pitch
in now and work, David Winter will
| never look at me again"
Mamma. you get ready. I'm going
to run off with you day after tomor-
row for four weeks. Margery can take
! your place.
And as usual, when father uttered
an ultimatum. the family had to abide
by it. And mother vent
| To go back a little, David Winter
was recently from Cambridge, a Har-
ward graduate and already holding a
responsible position with an eastern
firm Of engineering. contractors He
was very different from the native
product of Harwich and, needless to
say he had achieved an amazing de-
gree of popularity.
i As for the girls, there had been a
regular bombardment of invitations
/ from them to all kinds of things, and
| a mad social whfrl that had kept
| seamstresses and the town caterer de-
J pendent on black coffee in lieu of
/ sleep for weeks past.
David had been attentive to Margery
from the first-also to Priscilla Hart,
who lived just over the way and was
pretty and agreeable.
Margery looked after the taxica b
that was bearing her parents to the
station with dismay. BE sure to help
Ellen out with the ironing on Tues
day. was ringing in her ears Don't
let Ellen bake the cake on Saturday.
She can't get the icing right" and
You'll have to make the beds and
get luncheon Monday while Ellen is
| helping Mrs. Doyle in the laundry
THE darning mustn't get behind.
dear" and See that the twins keep
feet wet" and SO on.
How was she to look her best now
at any hour of the day that David
might take it into his head to stop his
i roadster at the curb and run in for a
chat? He had come twice in the
morning and found her both times
in cool, fresh linen, once writing let
tiers in the library, another time snip
ping roses in the garden. Afternoon
always found her dainty and sweet,
shady veranda or to fling on a motor
coat and go with him for a spin
along the river road. Evening had
found her rested and eager for any
diversion. She had. in fact. never
failed to be at her very best when
David had wanted her.
But now! Ironing, baking, cooking.
darning! She looked across the street
. at Priscilla Hart embroidering placidly
on the front veranda and, as luck
would have it, that very moment David
| stopped his car on the other side and
| nd RI a "a
"Oh, mother, why did you go ::
Margery half sobbed. as she stepped
back hastily from view"
Then suddenly the house seemed
empty, desolate and barren without
the one on whom they all depended.
and ashamed. I'll do the best can.
mother You did look tired today"
she insisted bravely.
And so the next morning found
Margery in her working regalia-
David rang the bell at 20 and Mar
gerry, seeing him from a window, an
swered his ring in person. without
even removing the unbecoming dust
cap she wore. IT may as well get 1t
over" she thought. Hes sure to
be now"
David was too well bred to show
his establishment. But she had known
that. She also OWNED that he would
take an early leave. He did
you're busy" he said. rising. land
must not take your time Besides,
was just on my way to the viad,ict-
more trouble with the cement work
SO must get along
That afternoon, Margery, weary and
DaIe over a basketful of darning, saw
: him take Priscilla for a drive.
Then she pitched in with a ven-
eeance and worked to forget. She re-
1 solved to have the house spotless when