The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-12
EVENING STORY
Enlightenment.
(By Edna Sawyer.


Barbara Wharton knew from the
first that there was. not the slightest
excuse for it. The second time she
met him she had known of his mar
riage, yet to the strangely reserved.
cautious little girl there was some
thing dangerously attractive in Jerome
Towne's keen eyes and grazing tenn
pies. She yielded to his requests for
her time whenever he could make an
opportunity to visit the town, and
treasured the notes, penned in tiny,
almost feminine hand, that reached
her frequently, carefully guarding this,
her first affair."" from parents and
neighbors.
Time and again she pondered upon
the emotion that would follow Liscov-
cry of the intimacy. AS one wholly
unconcerned she pictured the resentful
anger of the town. She, the pride of
all the neighborhood, had stopped to a
silly filtration with a man old enough
to be her father-she, whose family
flourished upon years of self-satisfied
esteem. She heard daddy's skeptical
snort and mothers indignant denial
when news of the friendship should
Because her mother was a mother
there was no need to tell her. She
knew of several moonlight strol1s in
which the city man had Joined her
pretty daughter. She recalled the
dancing eyes and rapidly crimsoning
cheeks when, feigning need of in
formation as to his rose bushes Mr.
Towne had on several occasions sought
their home. Barbara had at first been
nearly in her avowed admiration of
the striking, well-groomed man. With
secret annoyance her mother had
noted the gradual discontinuance of
the frank comments. And, because
she had been girl herself in days
not far off, she knew the dangerous
attraction of Jerome Towne's subtle
flattery and his well-trained, even
voice, and her heart misgave her as
days went on and Barbara grew lax
In her disbursement of the mans
lover-like attentions
A note written the day before. fallen
from its envelope, caught Mrs Whar-
tons eye as she rummaged in her sew
ing table, and she picked it up, dis
closlng the city mans handwriting.
She read the delicate lines twice thru.
dearest OF Girls--I'm sorry; 1 can't
see you today. But Tony will bring
you this, and tomorrow / shall meet
you at the station and take you up
TO see matinee and have dinner at
:
Hopefully, ' NC MA r."
Mrs. Wharton dropped her sewing.
crumpled the little note in her fin
gers and stared out, down the winding
road. Somehow, Barbara seemed
very old, very capable, all at once
was there nothing to be done? One
couldn't order a twenty
daughter to stay at home The we'll
regulated little household offered NO
frT-
presence. And then Mr. Wharton
tall, square frame came into view as
he moved about his rose bushes. and
mother caught her breath with a little
gasp. She formed a plan. After ali,
was for Barbara! And afterward-
You don't mind if I go up to the
city on the noon train. mother?"
Barbara was wiping glasses after
breakfast the next morning and she
| I'D like to match the ribbon for nv
dress, and-and-I want to go
mother
IF you think best, dear" Mrs
wharton tried to catch Barbara s
eyes, and failed. Barbara went thru
in to the dining room and returned
slowly. And her mother put up a
quick hand and brushed somethine
from her cheek.
Mother! Why. there's something
| NAC ihdAlcA GU re SICK. Two
strong arms whirled the little gray
haired woman to the light Mother
what is it?"
Nothing that 1 can't tell you some
other time, dear" Mother sighed
softy. There's no need worry-about
me-"
You'll tell me this minute"
men you come back, dear
Her mother hesitated an instant to
gather courage. II can't spoil your
trip. Go and have a good time
No. sir" Barbara seated hersel1
on the broad window ledge ant
braced her shoes with a determines
stamp, and mother rejoiced inwardIy
Not one inch do L stir unless YOU tel
me. You're not worried about-me p
You. oh, no. dearie"
Then tell me this minute"
Her mother stif1ed a nervous sol
| with small success and stammereC
with the words. ITS daddy sh,
whispered finally. with a backward
glance of terror lest the walls SHOULD
hear.
Daddy Barbara's bewildermen
TRANSPORTED her face
'He's-dearie, how can make you