The Topeka state journal., 1919-07-05
EVENING STORY
The Fisher Caught.
BY LINCOLN ROTHBLUM

In the parlance of matchmaking
mothers, Victor Lawton was catch"
worth angling for-all the more de-
sirable since he exhibited no inclina-
tion to be caught. Divers were the
schemes mothers of daughters, ready
to consider career" invented to en-
tice the wary fish into the matri-
monial net.
For indeed Victor Lawton was
most desirable specimen of prospec-
tive husband. He was tall. but not
too tall to seem towering when with
a short companion.
He was stocky, but by no means
fleshy. He was of good family, but
from neither bluea blood nor yellow
He was a lawyer of sound reputation
and good business acumen, while the
definiteness of his income from few
select clients compensated for their
lack of number.
And that he had personality is at
tested when the fellows dubbed him
"a bully chap" and the girls-well,
the girls thought him too handsome
for anything"
And so.' Mrs. Van Dusen, leader
of the towns upper set, complimented
herself, II have done well to squeeze
from his good-looking lips promise
to be present at youT debut tonight.
The rest, my darling daughter, is up
to you" And she extended her hand
toward a pretty and sophisticated
MY name isn't Cecelie Van Dusen,"
came the reply with a rolling of big.
hazeI-colored eyes in the prescribed
fashion commonly known as ''vamp-
ing" for nothing" She tripped
H. fykA frr1-
parted a slight smack on her mothers
cheek, making pretty sputter as her
tongue tasted the too liberal applica-
tion of powder.
IT hope So" answered the elder
woman in a tone that did not reflect
her daughters confident assertion.
But we must keep Madge out Of the
way as much as we can"
Your fault again." chided Cecile,
who, modern-like. never lost an OPP
portunity to censure her mother.
when we thought she was going to
shouldn't have refused-though we
didn't know who it was
Hush, Cecile," chided Mrs. Van
Dusen, gazing quickly at the door to
see if they had been overheard. Il
promised your father when he died to
care for the child of his first wife.
And shall do my duty"
however pdlIlul II may Oc, I'M
ished Cecile. "only as relieved by the
of her Inheritance"
Mrs. Van Dusen cast ali appeal for
silence as Ce>ile laughed out loud.
Bad thing to have a conscience,
mother" she stated. wagging her head
emphatically, but II I catch Victor
Lawton on my line" she added. ma
terializing the hope by the execution
of a dizzy pirouette, "1'll-why, I'll
let you come and visit us sometimes"
Mrs. Van Dusen took the seat be-
fore low dressing table and gazed
at herself from the triple-rehecting
mirror. a new wrinkle near her lips
brought another to her forehead.
I'm afraid we may have to take
Lawton into our confidence. AS he
was a warm friend OF Mr.. Van Dusen
he might be willing to quietly straight
en- out our financial tangle. 1 have
not managed as well as"
And further condolences were
drowned in the buzz of preparation.
Such a hustle and hurry as the-Van
Dusen household saw! Such a scrr-
rying around and multiplicity of or
ders! The telephone never ceased
with instructions to caterer, florist
and musicians. The doorbeu souLd-
ed one continual alarm as delivery
after delivery was made of mysteri-
GUS bags and boxes of endless size and
shape, whisked away to various
rooms as rapidly as they came.
The great grandfather clock in the
hall had scarcely chimed as Mrs.
Van Dusen, resplendent in an evening
gown of black satin. brocaded with
giant figures of black jet, descended
the stairway to take her stand near
the entrance. Cecile followed, her
daring costume of garnet tinted wolfe,
hooped with bands of similar toned
velvet, setting off strikingly white