The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-12
EVENING STORY
"AtmOSphere."
BY DORA NOLAN.

AS MIS- hOnL CiOScO tAC II OiAl oOOi
after leisurely survey of the village
street, she remarked to her sister
Annie that Tom was in sight, so they
could put the supper on the table; also
that the atmosphere felt quite spring
like.
When Tom had eaten the supper
prepared for him by his adoring
women folk and had changed into
his other suit, he stopped in the sit
ting room on his way out. Here his
mother and aunt sat sewing.
IF you're going to see Mary''-Mrs.
Kent laid her work on the table and
started to arise-"you can return that
cake recipe she lent me-
"Sit down, mother. Why should you
jump to the conclusion that I'm going
to see Mary Freeman? There are
other girls in town."
But none nicer. Tom.' put in pre-
else little Aunt Annie.
"Mary's all right" agreed Tom. 'but
I stopped to tell you that m going
to see Deyette Sinclair while"
Isn't three times a week rather
often to call on a girl you've known
such a short while ?" asked Mrs. Kent
Small town etiquette, mother Dey-
cite is city girl. The Sinclairs make
a fellow feel at home. There's some
thing about their house-soft lights
and ali that sort of thing-a certain
atmosphere-oh, 1 can't explain II,
finished Tom impatiently.
"You don't need to explain to US,
Tom, what constitutes the atmosphere
Of ant true Anre we eniet any ese[po the
whole family doesn't sit around and
entertain you, as they do at the Free
mans!" snapped Tom, and departed
As the front door closed behind
him Mrs. Kent picked up her sewing.
II hope this is merely passing fancy,
Annie That girl is a new type in the
village and she fascinates Tom. But
don't like his neglecting Mary. Shes
such a genuine girl!
'Yes, her complexion will stand the
sunlight" added the sister.
In the Sinclair home that evening
the atmosphere was saturated with the
germs of jealousy and malicious tri-
umph, but to Tom it only smelled OF
cigaret smoke and he wondered what
caller hal preceded him. How could
he know that Mrs. Sinclair had been
smoking furiously for the last half
hour, while she rallied at her daugh-
ter for her extravaganza and because
she was deliberately trying to "cut
out" herNmother with the elderly and
wealthy Mr.. Slater-and at the same
time fooling around with an ''impe-
cunious fellow" like Tom?
When he arrived the shaded lights
shone softly. Deyette was charming
in a gown that was quite different
from. the village sort. Tom listened
enthralled to her tales of their gay
life in the city and eagerly accepted
an invitation to visit them the follow
ing winter.
1t was the result of that strenuous
society life, of course, that had forced
them to come to this charming" little
village for a rest. Now wouldn't Tom
tell more about. his work-and what
he hoped to become? Deyette was
clever, SO she listened with much ap-
parent interest while Tom talked, and
sent him away very much pleased.
You could not call Mary Freeman
clever. She was just sweet and good
and true. Nor would Tom. in describ-
ing her home, say that it had a Ger
tain atmosphere" 1t was in fact,
much like his own-neat and orderly
and comfortable and pervaded by a
spirit of unselfish love.
1t was this spirit which kept Mrs.
Freeman from commenting on Toms
absence in the hearing of her daugh-
ter, but it could not keep her from
feeling bitterly toward Tom for caus-
ing the silent suffering which Mary
was striving to conceal.
The Sinclairs had been in town a
month, and Tom Kent had formed the
habit of dropping in to see Devette
every evening after supper. He had
even discontinued stopping in the sit
ting room to tell his mother where
he was bound and to say good night.
Mrs. Kent did not demonstrate with
Tom again for negleeting Mary
She knew that her son could not be
managed that way. Aunt Armies lips
were compressed in a straight line
most of the time now, and she spoke
seldom of Tom. The atmosphere of
the Kent home had changed in some
subtle manner. Systematically Tom
felt it but his infatuation for Deyette
filled his mind those days to the ex-
clusion of everything else except bust
ness. He knew he must succeed in
that il he were to stand any chance
with Deyette.
So affairs stood when Tom stopped
| in the grocery store on his way home
from business one night to do an err
rand for his mother. Mr.. Bates. the
proprietor, waited on him.
AS he tied up the package he leaned
across the counter and spoke in a tone
too low to be heard by any one else
in the store. Kent, you seem to be
on pretty good terms with the SIN
clairs. Do you think they are all right
Financially, 1 mean? They owe me
a pretty big bill now. and I can't af-
ford to trust them for much more"
''Why, sure" replied Tom. '"They
just happen to be short of ready cash
just now. Mrs. Sinclair was telling
me about 1t the other evening. She
said the man who managed their es-
tate was seriously i'll and if he didn't
improve soon she would have to go to
New York herself and look after
things"
Mr.. Bates seemed treasured and
Tom thought no more about the Incl
dent until two nights later. Then Mrs.
Sinclair brought up the matter of their
circumstances again, concluding. but
1 don't see how I can go. Really. 1
haven't even money enough in hand
to pay my fare"
why, Mrs. Sinclair exclaime
Tom in an injured tone. "why didn't
you ask me to help you out? 1 have
only about a hundred dollars with me