The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-17
EVENING STORY
Hats and Faces.

(By Earl Reed SilverS.)
| Estelle Williams played with an
ivory paperweight on the mahogany
desk of the writing room.
Harold Smythe is coming to spend
the Weekend in Glenwood." she in
formed Dorothy Hunt. We're going
to give big dance on Saturday
evening"
you are?"
| Dorothy showed little interest in
the person of Harold Smythe. She
had heard so much about him since
Estelles visit to Miami that she had
formed an unreasonable dislike for
him. But her opinions counted little
in the Williams household; she was
only the orphan daughter of the Sis
ter of Mrs. Williams. Two years be-
fore, her mother and father mad dled'
leaving practically nothing, and since
that time Dorothy had lived with the
Williamses.
1t had been hard for her. OF the
same age as Estelle. she was as dlffer-
ent from her cousin as black Is from
white. In the first place, she had big,
! blue eyes, which gave a hint of pathos,
/ and which made the men who looked
at them want to protect her from
some harm which they felt was I'M
pending. She had skin like the soft
est velvet, and cheeks the color OF a
pink rose petal. Her neck was of
snowy whiteness, and her arms would
| have made a sculptor long to model
them.
Estelle's eyes were colorless, altho
she considered them hazel. Her skin,
in spite of frequent applications of
the latest modern appliances. re-
fused to be anything but rough; and
flIIlN
| betrayed a sharpness that could not
be concealed. But her father was
millionaire, and her mother had So
cial aspirations.
There were callers aplenty at the
| williams homestead, and seldom a
big white house alight from top to
bottom, with young people dancing
merrily in the perfectly appointed
ballroom; But always Dorothy had
| been shifted to the background. The
one aim and ambition of Mr.. and Mrs.
| Williams was to find a suitable hus
| band for Estelle.
They had met Harold Smythe at
Miami, and Harold had casually men
toned the fact that he intended to
| come east in the summer. An invita-
ton and acceptance had followed, and
the time had finally arrived for the
much talked about visit.
| On Friday morning, Estelle. waiting
!
to the station to meet the guest, found
Dorothy sitting OF the front porch.
do you want to ride to town." she
asked graciously. I'm going to meet
Harold
Yes, I would like to co. Dorothy
arose and took the front seat of the
car. while Estelle sat in state in the
| tonneau. The former wore a sunbon-
net of light straw, which had cost Is
cents in the village store; the latter
was decked in a silver creation which
was purchased in New York for $50.
| They reached the station just the
train was pulling out. Estelle leaped
from the seat and greeted a good
! looking, well set up young man who
| was standing on the platform She
did not bother to introduce Dorothy,
and the auto started off for the ride
| to the Williams mansion. The girl in
the front seat could hear them chat
| ting noisily; recalling certain incidents
| that had happened at Miami. review
ing the events that had taken place
since that time. She liked Harold's
voice.
who is the other girl ?" she heard
him ask guardedly.
| "Oh, only my cousin" Estelle had
answered carelessly, "she lives with
u.s."
| Harold, viewing the cheap sunbon-
net, and not seeing the, face beneath
the hat, changed the subject. Dorothy
| flushed resentfully, but did not turn
around. She was accustomed to such
illusions.
When they had reached the house
and alighted from the car, however,
Estelle paused moment to Introduce
the other girl.
MY cousin, Miss Hunt" she said
light Mother will be here in a min
ute she added instantly.
| The visitor took Dorothy's hand and
gazed into her blue eyes Then he
! I.
thing connected with her.
II didn't know Estelle had a
for the weekend %
Yes" The one addressed smiled at
his evident confusion.
why weren't you down to Miami %
81 couldn't get down this winter"
she evaded. Il stayed hom4 to help
look after the house.
| Harold turned to Estelle, who was
| watching with anxious eyes.
II think that l shall have Won
derful time" he announced. Things
are just fine here" His eyes returned
to Dorothy.
Mrs. williams came forth and met
Harold. When, the guest had been
shown to his room, Estelle called her
mother to one side and talked earnest
ily in guarded tones. Dorothy saw Mrs.
Williams nod her head decisively, and
then Harold appeared again.
"If you would like to see the place"
Estelle suggested, II will show you
around
THAT will be fine He turned to
Dorothy you're coming, too, aren't
you?' he asked.
Tim afraid she'll be busy"
Estelle interposed. she's sort of a
housekeeper here" she added cruelty
Dorothy's eyes flashed angrily.
81 haven't anything to do" she said
rather defiantly. I'D love to CO."
| For the remainder of the morning
they explored the beautiful estate. But
| it proved to be a rather trying time
for Estelle. Try as she might, she
could not secure the visitors atten-
ton. When she reminded him of the