The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-25
EVENING STORY
Four Birds With One Stone.
BY KITTY PARSONS.

proval, Betty Van Ness became en-
gagged to a very nice, but very poor
young man. He was only a sergeant
in the army, which was a bitter blow
to Mrs Van Ness, whose other daugh-
ter was about to marry no less a per-
son than a colonel rich middle
aged man, old enough to be Althea's
father. This match was the joy of
her mothers heart, but Betty was in
different to her sisters advantages
and chose to follow her own taste in
a husband.
I'm more sappointed in you than
1 can say" exclaimed Mrs. Van Ness
few days before A1thea's wedding.
Here You are, rich, well dressed and
quite as good looking as your twin
sister, and you have neglected your
advantages shamelessly. 1 refuse to
consider your marriage at all, unless
you choose another man. You haven't
an atom of your sisters common
sense"
Il don't care bit for worldly ad-
vantages." famed the girl. Ned has
| made his own way, L know, and I'm
proud of him for it, And what's
| more, 1 respect and love him more
than anyone in this world and 1
wouldn't give him up for all the
| money and power there is, either. If
+, you refuse to give your consent, 1
shall have to marry him just the same,
so please forgive me, mother. If you
knew him better you'd understand
how 1T is-you couldn't help it!''
m afraid I should not snapped
her mother. 1--WE will not discuss the
matter further now. You had better
see if Altheas wedding gown has re-
turned from "a L n, a,z
not too much time
| Betty went Immediately, glad to
have the interview ended.
When she entered Althea's room,
! zine. A large unopened box lay on
| her bed.
"Althea Van Ness! Do you mean to
say you haven't looked at your dress?
What a girl!''
| Althea laughed well, you see. the
story was Interesting so I didn't
bother. 1 wish you'd slip it on, dear,
and see if it fits. We're exactly the
| same size and I'm so tired of trying
| things on
was a vision of snowy white and
silver. She looked at herself admir-
ingly in the glass.
"Oh, DEAR" she sighed, 'Th never
look like this if mother has anything
to say about it, for I simply won't
marry anyone else!"
Never mind, Bets cheered A1thea,
| you'll get him yeti I just know
something will happen soon, so don't
be discouraged. Mother'll be salts
| fled when I'm Mrs. Gould. Just you
| waltz
Betty smiled thru her tears and
after one last look at herself, she took
off her borrowed finery in a more con-
tented frame of mind.
! = The wedding was to be at eight
D 0aclOCk nd txyQ iOl,t in,
the morning of the great day. the
! house began to show signs of pre-
| paration. While they were at the
lunch table, Colonel Gould came in.
| greatly excited.
| Something very unforeseen has oc-
Cured" he began hurriedly. 81 have
| the most urgent orders to leave this
| afternoon and We will have to be mar
| ried at once! L cannot explain very
much, but it is unavoidable and there
must be no delay. The minister is in
the drawing room and Sergeant Moore
| will act as best man. 1 met him down
at headquarters as 1 was leaving, and
brought him along. You'll forgive
me: please, Mrs Van Ness. but he's
fine young man. and it was i'm
possible to find anyone else at this
| hour. There's absolutely not a min
| ute to waste, So 1 think we'd better
| join Doctor Farwell in the drawing
room.'
|
ALL Mrs. Van Ness exclaimed indig-
nantly. They must have known it
would be terrible inconvenience for
| us shall be mortified to death try
ing to explain to people! Imagine it
| hundreds of guests and no wedding!
It's the most impossible thing I've
| ever known
: Mrs Van Ness was fairly purple
with anger: The idea of making her
self ridiculous was terrible to her
4 M inn Would I>or
The ceremony was performed, how
ever, with Betty and Ned Moore as
the only attendants and the entire
party in morning dress. Then, with
eve-ybody's help, Althea and the colo
mel n7Xde the o'clock train for
Washington and Mrs. Van Ness in
blind fury of rage and disappointment,
gave way to helpless tears.
"Only think of the guests" she
stormed. And no bride and groom.
| I4'e hopeless@perfectly hopelessi"
Betty and Ned came back from the
train, flushed with excitement. Even
| Mrs. Van Ness had to admit that he
was a very good looking young man.
please, mother dear, let us take
their places and be married tonight!
| Please, please, please, mother" Betty
/ knelt beside her mothers chair and
| looked up al her inploringly. "Althea' s
dress just fits me. and everyone will
be so surprised and SO pleased and
| Iney IL lnlnk YOU were SO cleVer TO
plan it all! Please, mother dear!'
| This was the final straw and Mrs
| Van Ness had to give in. She could
not bear to have all her plans upset.
SO she made the concession.
| i've just had a commission for Sec
! ond lieutenant. too, it will sound
| better" added Ned, and Mrs. Van Ness
actually held out her hand and con-
graduated him.
what a beautiful wedding!" ex-
claimed one of the guests that even
ing. "And how charming the groom
is-Quite an addition to the family,'
said some one else.
Mrs Van Ness always had good
taste!" added another. This was so
clever of herr"