The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-18
Eoening Story
She Kept 1t.
: By CORONA REMINGTON.


'Tm-rm afraid hts dead" Nshe
whispered tremblingly as She touched
the limp paw of a little dog lying at
her feet.
Never mind Flossy; there are
plenty more little dogs in the world,
and poor old .Spry justshad to die some
time, you know. Just think how long
you've had him..
That's what made me love him
so.'' she wept as she started in off the
porch, followed by Carter.
Reaching the library, he dropped
down on the dfvan beside her and
tried his best to console her, but Flossy
was inconsolable.
There never will be another one
like Spry," she kept saying as she
dabbed/a wet handkerchief to her
eyes.
HE was just a plain water spaniel.
like hundreds of others. And do for
my sake, stop crying. L can't bear to
see you looking SO misera BILE; it's
breaking my heart" He pressed the
hand nearest his, but the girl gently
withdrew it, -
You mustn't do that. Jack, it isn't
polite she said with dash of her
old spirit as she gave a quick glance
at the fine, clear-cut profile beside
her.
"Ah but you know how feel,
Flossy. When will you ever give in?
I'm afraid you're interested in that
Collins fellow, or is it Forcythe?'
/ Here, let's talk about your work.
| she interrupted, Tell Ame something
Of the cases vow had today. Did you
y must be going" returned Carter
stiffly, ignoring her remark as he
! rose from his seat
A few days later he rang the Draper
doorbell, which was Immediately an
swefed by the expressionless servant
| whose duty it was to tend the front
door.
AS Carter handed him his hat and
coat he slipped generous tip into his
+ James" he said, Pm going to ask
you to do something for me-
| Yes, sir. ThanlS-you, sir" the man
replied and waited.
Next Wednesdays Miss Florence's
birthday. That'lI be day after tomor-
| row. I want to give her a water span-
lei like Spry. If send the dog around
here after dark tomorrow evening. will
you keep him out of sight and then
| chain him to her chair before she
comes down to breakfast Wednesday
| morning? But don't tell a. soul"
Yes, sir" James answered hest
tatingly.
What's the natter" demanded
Carter; Why can't you do it? It's
perfectly SlmpFe.
I'll try to manage it. sir
Very well, that's settled Now I
would like to see Mrs. Draper alone
a minute before you announce me to
Miss Florence"
Yes, sir
wandered restiessfy around the big
drawing room looking at the famous
| paintings on the walls
m glad to see you. jack
He turned at the soft voice behind
him to look down into the smiling face
| of Mrs. Draper. Carter impulsively
took her hand in both of his
'Yoa grow more and more like
Fiossy every day" he told her, his
dark eyes glowing.
! "Or does F1ossy grow more like
| me?" laughed the mother.
| Il guess that's it. but what 1 wanted
! to ask you is rather peculiar. I want
! ed to beg an invitation to breakfast
| Wednesday morning. It's her birth
.day, you know"
why, of course, well be so happy
to have YOU" his hostess replied
warmly.
A minute. later Florence herself ap-
peared, radiant and sparkling with
life, all traces OF the recent grief hav-
| ing entirely disappeared.
The evening sped swiftly away, and
when Carter flrally took his leave he
promised to see her soon again and
I
! found him Once more restlessly pacing
I the drawing room as he waited for
! Florence to come down.
| None of the family had as yet ap-
| peared, and Carter was hoping against
hope that Flossy would be the first
one to arrive. His wish came trtfe.
and he was soon being greeted by a
joyous, bubbling girl.
Aren't birthdays the most wonder
| full things on earth!" she enthused.
"F always feel thrilled all over. and
| this is the most eventful one of my
life. Twenty-one years old today"
she ended breathlessly.
by the way" she continued,
mamma begged us not to wait break
fast for her, as she has g. headache
and Will be late coming down, so Wen
go as soon as
Breakfast, miss" announced q
voice at the door.
The two went gayly into the dining
room. then stopped petrifted. Standing
BY the sideboard was the maid hold
ing a growing, wriggling water span
iel AT Fforence's chair the butler was
ciinging to another pup of the same
l breed. and chained to a leg OF the
table was a third held firmly in pro-
testing submission by the chauffeur.
The dogs glared at each other in open
hostility, while Carter turned white
with rage.
THAT ones from Mr.. Collins" said
the butler, pointing to the table leg,
land that one by the sideboard is
from Mr.. Forcythe. This here ones
from Mr.. Carter
How perfectly lovely of them ALI"
exclaimed the girl, trying to suppress
the laughter in her voice.
Take 'em all out of here but this
lone" commanded Carter.
Eyes. SIR replied the butler as he
hastily loosed the chains and disap-
peared with a snarling pup under each
arm and followed by the giggling
servants.
II haven't even got a look in with
those other fellows hanging around
all the time. I believe that blamed
I butler gave me away" stormed Car.
ter.
I But I shall always love yours the
best because you gave it to me-" sal
Florence demurely.