The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-23
Euening Story
The PIotters.
BY Lillian HALL CROWLEY

''She is horrid, Belle. I don't know
whether she was born with mean
disposition or developed it later"
II think" said Evelyn Jeffries, the
third of the group of young girls
seated on Mary Marden's veranda,
that being homely and uuattractive
has made her so mad and jealous. that
she does these mean things as an
outlet"
I can't see why she need be dis
agreeable about it," said Belle. There
are lots of things besides beauty;
Charm is greater. MolIie Crawford
makes her plain face palmer when she
says those sharp things to US. Then
ALI the underhand things she does
Tells our secrets. Our surprises and
jokes always get out before we are
ready. I just can't stand it any more!
Lets play one of her own tricks on
her, not because we want to do 1t, bus
to show her the kind of things she
does. We may all live in this town
forever-and think of Mollie spelling
our fun all that time" denounced
Mary.
what can we do to her? We can't
She'd tell all the boys and then act
like a martyr" said Evelyn.
THE boys never get within a mile Of
her" declared Mary.
wen have to think out some
thing" said BELIEF
Up jumped Evelyn. Look girls,
There was Mollie Crawford coming
along the street with a handsome
young man., She never looked toward
the three girls, as would have been
the natural thing to do, but passed
smiIingly on, chatting with her COM
who is he?" the three asked in
chorus.
all
Belle and Evelyn arose to go after
they had vowed to teach Mollie les
son. Aweek later the girls met again.
They had found out the young man
xFassthe new teller in the bank. Also
he had walked home with Molhe four
aSow to business" said Belle. II
think you, Evelyn, have to get MN
away from Mollie. You are so innocent
looking he won't suspect, and Mary
and I will aid and abet you
ooh, I couldn't exclaimed EVeIyh'
ut seems so deceitful.'
we've got to use her tools. Wen
take him away from under her very
eyes Now for the plan"
Mary found she had business at the
bank the next day and maneuvered
so as to get an introduction to the
- ri see YOU often. of course" said
she. IN a small town one knows
everybody"
7 hope So" politely answered Tom
Adams.
Young man was again walking home
with Molne Crawford. He always re-
turned the same way, going past the
Marden home. Mary and Evelyn were
cutting roses from a bush near the
walk.
MID
thew might, for Evelyn was a picture
in her dainty pink dress which set
off her blond loneliness. She looked
part OF the rose setting. Mary s ~dar k
beauty made the note of contrast in
the picture.
srWe1l-not very rapidly. You see. a
lot of work has accumulated at the
bank and I want to get that straight
ened gut as SOON as can"
III you have nothing to do. come
here this evening and meet some of
my friends. Well dance on the YER
'aThank you. I'll come. VIII you be
here, Miss Jeffries?" He turned to
Evelyn with a rather marked look
"Oh, yes. Evelyn will be here" Mary
answered for the now uncomfortable
.'rn come" He put on his hat and
Mary. I can't go on with it. I was
so fused. didn't lure him one BIZ"
He was taken with you at once.
Now, dear, Just be AN actress as you
were in the play last month. You
were acting a part and you did 1t
beautifully Remember. you are act
ing a part now, with Belle and me for
supports"
very well. I've given my word and
III see it, thru"
Tom went to the Marden -~home,
where the three girls surrounded him
Mary and Belle saw to it that he
danced often with Evelyn. They made
the couple walk in the rose garden
They started a good campaign. but
Tom was so easy to manage thaI they
had little to do.
Tom danced once with Molhe, but
his eyes followed Evelyn's dainty fig
ure until he caught her eye and she
gave him a shy. sweet smile.
Only once more was Tom seen walk
ing home with Mollie. He looked
bored. while Mollie's faSe was like q
| together constantly
Then they noticed a chance in Mol
lie. She smiled more and gradually
| left off saying bitter things. Once
when she began to answer Belle with
the old sarcasm she stopped snort, BIZ
| her. lip and answered pleasantly. Inc
! girls were surprised.
/ Tom was seeing Evelyn home. as
usual after one of the pleasant sum-
/ mer hops. When they REACHED the
veranda he said:
Let's sit down; have something
/ to tell you" He drew the unresistine
/ girl to the hammock.
Evelyn, dear, I love you and I want
/ "sfop. Tom. stop, oh. Tom. YOU
mustn't. I'm not the girl you think
am. I'm a villain and I have aeon
| fession to make" The golden head
dropped low so that she did not see
\ the twinkle in her lovers eyes.
What is It, dear? You love me
! don't you %
Yes, oh yes. but you won't want ms
when you hear. I tried deliber-
ately planned to take you away from
/ Mollie Crawford. I smiled at you
purposeE."
Wen. you succeeded, didn't you .
{ .-CY1 doerofel