The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-13


tered the breakfast room fifteen min
utes late, but you look as if you had
never been out before. And-why.
Duncan!" she exclaimed, as her eye
took in his person; you're wearing a
colored tie!"
He murmured something about be-
ing tired of black and appeared reti-
cent as to his previous evenings eX
perience, vouchsafing the information
that he would again visit the dance
hall that evening.
But Duncan" Mrs. Parminter re-
monstrated, I've invited Celia Doane
for dinner and you know l did want
you to meet her. The investigation
can wait. Won't you please be home?''
Quickly the professor tried to ana
lyze his thoughts. There was no rea-
son why he should not be home ex-
cept that the girl had promised to be
there and he would not disappoint her.
But his spoken reason centered about
prompt submittal of the report. To
complete it, he must 60 And go he
did.
He walked the block thrice to avoid
again being the first in the hall and
paid his entrance fee with an air al
most of bravado. Seeking his corner
he watched the dancers to find the
particular girl. but she was nowhere
with every other couple-but no girl.
Why should he be disappointed? Sure
ly she meant nothing to him-he was
only watching her as a specimen to
include in his report. So he entered
in his notebook, Dance halls create
dfsappointments early in life" Nor did
the investigation seem to require at
| tendance the following evening, but
as soon as he entered the hall he knew
| she was there. for he could sense it
| in his whole body. By an analytical
| survey he considered the question:
| Why was he SO glad to see her? Just
| to complete his report. He made his
way to her side and she answered the
| question in his eyes.
| IAN engagement kept me away last
| night. / am sorry.
The professor was for overlooking
| everything; he was glad to see her
| looking so well this evening. And al
| tho the syncopated melodies tempted
all feet on the floor, the two sat in
| the secluded corner and talked what
| were considered original topics when
Adam first saw Eve She dropped her
| handkerchief and as both stopped to
I pick the tiny square of white linen
| from the floor their heads touched;
and somehow-the professor was not
| thinking of analyses then-their lips
met.
| The professor was dizzy as he
| gripped her hands with wild fear
| she would escape. He had to confess
| it. He, Prof. Duncan Parminter, in
structoI of social and political econ
omy at the Belle Vue Seminary. and
recently appointed operative of the
morals investigation committee, was
| in love with a public dance hall girl
/ one who came here unescorted to be
picked up-a girl whom he had seen
| but once before-whose very name he
did not know. He took keen delight
in torturing himself with the reflee-
| ton. All, but she was worth it aSl;
one did not catch so rare a specimen
every day Together they would brave
the wrath of the world. Tomorrow
night she should meet his mother.
And Mrs. Parminter. in exceptional
spirits, was quite agreeable to her
sons earnest suggestion that one of
I the subjects of his Investigation be
permitted to visit them that evening.
And Celia Doane can meet her" she
continued. 'She will be with us this
levening-just the person to under
stand. What is the girls name?"
The professor was confused The
fact was Mrs. Parminter was in
formed her son could not remember
names. But to himself he whispered
| Lady Bug"
Evening found him uncomfortably
/, nervous in a dress suit with its bother
some coat-tails: and eagerly he watch
ed the maid as she answered each bell
ring There, 1T last! That was sure
| that. A tiny. gentle. hesitan- ring.
| But his mother was saying, $50 glad
to see you, Miss Doane. You can meet
my son at last and he has asked one
! of his specimens to be with us to-
night. Come right this way"
Disappointed, the professor walked
over to the window and dejectedly
looked down into the dark street. Why
hadn't the girl come first? He wanted
his mother to meet her alone-so
10
| sion He heard them in the room.
Thru courtesy he must advance. He
1 turned around. and made a rush for
| the vision before him, Was she Celia
| Doane? Mrs. Parminter stared in in
| credulous amazement as her dream
hopes were being realized before her
very eyes
But. Miss Doane. didn't think you
/ even knew nv soni"
Il didn't The night inspected the