The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-25
Eoening Story
DenziI's Atonenlent.

BY NJ. MCCULLOUGH WILLIAMS

her hands: 'Hel-lo, the Housed Helloi
Hello-oii" happy in the wicked con-
seriousness that Mrs. James. on the pi-
azza, would look up from her rick
rack and say to her gossip, Mrs. Lotion:
And isn't this one of the WORST"
Turnout the hot season Denzil lived
mainly to shock ana disturb the prim
summer people. They were never
called boarders-their hostess. Widow
Marvin, was quite too refined for that.
Instead they were paying guests
paying thru the nose for what they
got, plus gentility. As minister's
relict, Dame Marvin felt herself en-
titled to prices beyond those un-Chris-
ton, not to say worldly ninded per-
sons, would have had the face tofask;
Ashe also felt that the influence of the
cloth should be retroactive in the mat
ter. of prices for market stuff and SER
vice. -partly-Denzirs antag-
onism. She herself was fair-ninded in
all things, also straightforward almost
to the point of brusqueness.
Still there was something beyond.
1t wore trousers, a pompadour, clothes
of the latest fashion, and q perpetual
smile of-admiration for itself 1t an
swered to the name of James Joseph
Cannon Marvin. and yas by estate,
nephew and adopted son of Mrs. Mar
VIM, born Cannon. 1t was at most
points perfectly ladylike: nothing fem
mine. however. could have carried
about its load of conceit. Witness the
him steadfastly: "B'Gee," had said
calmly he meant to marry Denzil
Ware, because she was rich enough to
support a bishop-the bishop he him
self was bound to be.
Denzil loved h., side saddle and
to, rAS 4 ~
peiied that she had to stop before the
Marvin menage, she wore riding
brooches with spurs on her boots.
When Mrs. Marvin was moved to show
her picture from Godey's La dies
Book in the 80, of a rider whose
skirts swept her horses knees, and
whose heavily plumed hat all but hid
her face, saying: There, my child, is
the proper thing for ladies'" she had
laughed outright, and said: 81 think
she has on hoops under her habit
Granny says she has seen such things"
Granny was no mossbaek. She had
not brought up Denzil--rather let her
one grandchild grow up as nature, love
and sunshine willed. In result, her
hghtest word was DenziPs law-she
knew no word was ever spoken save
in counsel not reproof. Ware church
going might be something intermit-
tent, but Ware charity failed not, eth
er in material things or those of the
spirit. Gran had inclined to temper
the wind of Denzil to the minister's
widow until B'Gee made his election:
After that, feeling that no punishment
was greater than the crime. Madame
Ware had merely smiled over each
fresh outrage.
"Hel-lo-oI' Denzil repeated. throw
ing ono spurred foot over the pommel;
Better wake up you-alll 1 know
well! what is iii" Mrs. James,
asked eagerly, coming half way down
the walk.
''ohl We're going to be civilized at
last Denzil answered secstatically:
"a professor has rented -Massnic-han
atNthe cross roads and Is going to teach
us all-v-to -shimniy." sas
''whati whats that you say?
What Is the world coming to!" the
three. ladies' .eried in chorus. each in
a different affrighted key. Denzil
giggled softly: "It's a -profesor-
with all kinds of references and testi-
monials-or else you know the Lodge
would never have let her in. She goes
all the gaits-every sort of jazz, one
steps. two steps, any old stops. Just
think what it will mean toto your
son, Mrs. Marvin I know he already
dances these fashionable things, but
here he can't show off for lack of
partners"
Mrs Marvin purpled: my Joseph
will never palter with such iniquity.
He is as pure as new fallen snow
vowed to God and the ministry from
his cradle" she said loftily. Again
Denzil gigglcd. Mighty 'fraid he'll
never be q bishop, then" she gurgled.
Don't scripture tell of a Joseph whose
coat had many colors? Somehow L
think it's risky to give a boy that
name."
IF you persist in such sacrilege I
shall not stay to hear you,' Mrs. Mar
i i.
the piazza. But the paying guests
stood fast, plying Denzil with ques-
tons, dropping innuendoes as to the
why and wherefore of the petticoated
professor, but getting little for their
pains. Denzil had seen her-no-she
didn't like her-the creature had a
beard-at least her face looked shaw
ed. Go to her school? No, thank you
she had learned to dance before she
was five-as for the shimfny--well,- it
might please. some people--but she
was not of that sort After she had
ridden off, Mrs. Lotion reflectively:
wild as she may be Denzil is lady
top to toe. 1 don't blame her for CIV
ing Sister Marvin that dig about the
bishop-B'Gee will get his come-up-
pances good and hard If he tries max
ing up to Denzil in earnest"
I'm glad she is not my daughter"
Mrs. James commented acidly.
Then it's lucky she turned down
your Billy" Mrs. Lotion countered.
She was not particularly malicious
indeed, she had streaks of genuine
good feeling-but she owed the
Jameses each and several something
here was her chance to pay it-one
she would not let herself miss
In the lull of late midsummer the
countryside fell hard for the dancing
classes. They ran morning, noon and
night-and by daylight, were as decor
"a m
corum ruled even thru early candle
light-afterward, It came to be whis-
pered, a meteor crowd came in, and
made things quite spectacular. The
late corners were late stayers, but dis
turbed nobody-the hall was remote
from any habitation, also screened by
a thick grove. The Professor had in
stalled q. huge chest-of Costumes. she |