The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-06
Eoening Story
When Con0ver COINED.
BY CORONA REMINGTON

Brockton shook his visitors hand
warmly as he offered him a seat.
Yes" was all that Conover could
think of to say as he dropped into the
chair like a piece of lead.
The older man leaned back in his
chair and waited an expression of
amused sympathy playing over his
face.
MIR. Brockton. want to- want
II WANT want
II guess 1 know what it's about"
said Brockton kindly, his blue eyes
twinkling. 81 had to do the same
thing myself once and 1 haven't for
it,"
Yes he answered quickly as he
glanced gratefully at his prospective
father-fn-law.
IT thought SO. How are you fixed
about supporting a wife,"
"Of course, Mr.. Brockton, couldn't
keep Doris in the luxury to which she
is accustomed-that it, not at present
but believe 1 could make her COM
Portable. I'd certainly do everything
in my power. anyhow"
That's right young man, and be-
lieve you'd do it, 1 know there's
nothing stingy about you, and I'm glad
to see it. If there's one incurable sin
among mortals, it's stinginess-I never
heard of any one getting over it,
mo sir 1 don't think I'm stingy, and
1 feel sure we'd be very happy to-
gether.''
Take her. then, my boy" said
Brockton gently.
4 few minutes later Conover left the
office of l.. B. Brockton. attorney, on
winged feet. He stopped at a florists
shop and blew in on a most gorgeous
bouquet of American Beauties, then
recklessly hailed a passing taxi and
went speeding toward the Brockton
home.
Somewhere far back in the recesses
of his mind he realized dimly that
three boxes of flowers, two evenings
at the theater, with supper afterward,
and a few taxis thrown in. made rather
an expensive week for a man on a SAL
airy, but, after all, weren't they for
Doris? And who could spend too
much on such a girl? His thoughts
were suddenly interrupted by the taxi
coming to a standstill in front of the
Brockton home.
Your fathers a regular trump
he told his sweetheart exultantly as
| soon as he had entered the drawing
room.
what did he say?" came in smoth-
cred tones from the region of his coat
front.
He said I could have you, so you
only have to name the day. Let's do
i it tomorrow he pleade6
How absurd, you old dear. Just
think about all my trousseau to make
yet and the announcements and
things!
For nearly three hours they were
totally engrossed planning the rosy
future. but at last Conover had to pull
himself away.
when can I see you again." he
asked as he rose to leave.
This is Saturday." she unused.
Let me take you to church toipor-
row morning." he begged. You
, know 1 haven't been with you to Trim
| ity YET
Not in the morning" she answered,
but we could go to the evening serv-
ice.''
Good, Then let's go to Fosters
afterward."
''All right" Doris smillingly agreed
There remained nothing for Con-
over to do but wait until the evening
of the next day and a long, long wait
it was. He began dressing at a little
after o'clock and found himself ready
ages too soon, in spite of the fact that
he tried on every silk shirt and necktie
he possessed. At last, being unable
to keep still any longer he decided TO
start out and walk to DoriS's home.
1t was only about four miles and walk
| ing would be better than having to sit
down and wait in that COMPOUNDED
club, where no one could understand
what it was like to be engaged to the
most wonderful and beautiful girl in
the world. His face lighted up as he
| put on his hat and took a last glance
at himself>in the mirror.
John Conover made the distance in
record-breaking time, Notwithstanding
! he had tried to go very slowly so as
to avoid arriving too soon. But there
| Is an end to the longest wait and the
aTpninfnd hnrtTs raDl 10 z1A
| Il began to think all the clocks had
stopped" he told Doris as he helped
her on with her wrap.
You're such an impatient boy" she
smiled at him.
Notwithstanding Johns eagerness
to get to church he paid little atten-
| ton to what the rector was saying, but
kept his eyes glued on the dainty lit
tie profile beside him. Suddenly he
/ noticed the vestrymen starting slowly
from the altar carrying the collection
plates. Four dreadful thoughts flash
ed into his consciousness simultane-
ously: He and Doris were sitting in
the second pew from the front and
the plate would be practically empty;
Mr.. Brockton was taking UP the col
lection In their section and he John
Conover, had in his pocket exactly one
ten-dollar bill and one nickel. He had
promised to take Doris to Fosters
after the service. and. lastly. he felt
back as he further remembered that
stinginess was an incurable sim.
Wildly he plunged both hands into
his pockets: his left one gr.pped the
| ten-dollar bill, the other the nickel
which one should he draw forth and
place beneath the eyes of his future
father-inlaw? If he put in the bill
he'd be all right with the father. but
how about Doris? If he put in the
nickel he'd be all right with Doris,
but how about the father?
Suddenly he looked down to see the
almost empty plate nearly under his
chin. Historically, he jumped. and
| jerking both hands1out of his pockets,
held them over the silver dish. His
| left hand opened and the ten-dollar
bill dropped from his grip.
It was all over in a second.
In a frenzy he glanced at Doris sit
! ting demurely at his side and proba-
bly, thinking about that trip to Fos-
ter's at that very instant How was
he to break the news and how would
she take III hadn't evan he "a "a