The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-11
E0ening Story
An Act of Providence.
BY MARTHA NJ. WILLIAMS

"But-not quite as much as you love
new frocks-pretty ones" Doris
answered, adding with az smile:
Never mind the knots-it's a sure
| sign when your thread ties up so you'll
be married and happy before what you
are sewing on wears out"
IF I believed that" Elinor began
with a lurking smile. But of course
it's nonsense-superstiti all are
I'm not so sure" Doris said teas
ingiy. Science is finding out that a
heap of superstitions so called, are
surface indications of important facts. -
How ridicuious!" from Elinor.
Doris went on reflectively; Suppose
something inside you powerful enough
to captivate a big man was also power
ful enough to make your thread cleo
tric-you know almost everything goes
back now to- electricity"
L don't know any such thing-and
wish you wouldn't parade the fact
that you do.~ You make my head ache
worse-and It's bad enough at best
Unless I get help somehow, this
rubbishy thing" touching her work
scornfully, will never get done in
time-nor be fit to look at"
''Stepmama will help if you ask her
nicely Doris bantered.
Ellnor sprang up, stamping her foot,
angry tears flooding her cheeks. you
know 1 won't ask her-I can't" she
pCOOC0s AoAAC OQSlil 10 40 II
asking-taking my mothers place.
And you, my own cousin, ought to
help"
Like heaven, we help those who
help themselves Doris returned.
Elinor flung herself across the bed
crying hard. But at the sound of her
name, spoken in a strong, young voice
below stairs, the tears ceased magically
after some little business with the
powder puff, she tripped away, a pat
tern of April sunshine.
IF I knew enough, I'd write a pro-
found thesis on The Alternative Value
OF a Timely Beau " Doris comment
ed philosophically. "But those who
need it would neither read it, nor heed
it Dick Brownley least of all. He
thinks Miss Elinor came straight from
heaven by air-eXpress. Because. for
sooth, she has baby-curls, a beautiful
baby-stare, dances like a sunbeam
and sings like seraph. Strictly orna-
mental-fine for keeping in cotton
Wool-or under a glass case, but apt
to get Clipped in this rough-and-tu1n-
BILE world. However, it is none of my
funeral I'm no feminine knight-er-
rant, yearning to save men from the
desires of their own hearts,"
Elinor rushed back. crying: Put
on your hat, Do',-Dick wants us to
go motoring you know I can't, I'M
less you will. Thanks to a stepmother.
We're to be gone all day-lunch at
some Swa gger country club, and dine
at another. She-stepmother, you
know, has planned to teach me can
ming this afternoon. Fancy spending
it in the kitchen-With such weather
outside
You might do worse. I'd prefer
1t to playing gooseberry,'' Doris said,
her eyes speculative. "Oh! You won't
do that-Dick is to pick up another
man-over at the Trayers place"
Elinor said coaxingly: DO come old
dear? Everything may depend on t.
In spite of better judgment, Doris
went. She was really sorry for EIinor,
a badly spoiled child, suddenly brought
under curb, strict if kindly. Natural
ly she was unhappy. Marriage was a
way Quit might also be a way into
worse and more lasting unhappiness.
Dick Brownley was as spoiled as Eli
nor, as headstrong, and extrayagant
He would make ducks and brakes of
a decent Inheritance if unchecked.
Elinor would not check him. But
said Doris to herself smiling whim-
sically: What a good time they will
have spending everything together"
The man picked up should have
warned Doris-he was so deep-dyed a
cleric. pallid almost to anemia and
solemn as an owl. He looked, indeed,
much like the bird of wisdom, peering
thru huge horn-rimmed glasses set
astride a beaky- nose. Entertaining
him was easy-it involved no more
than playing audience. But his dron-
ing answered to mask the amorous
dialogue in full blast on the front seat.
Luncheon at the Country club reduced
it to the terms of bushes, giggles and
heads touching as they bent together
over the menu. Still Doris was obtuse
bound. Elinor had been held at home
sewing for the two days past. Nat
urally, accumulated affection broke
out now.
But presently as they sped past
roadside stone Doris knew that
they were in another state Then
she became uneasy-this neighbor
state was a Gretna Green for i'm
patient couples in that they had
quilted. She touched Dicks shoulder.
asking: rs this an elopement or
what?''
mot yet. but soon," he answered
with a grin. Wen see Rigby in about
ten minutes"
81 say not" Doris retorted.
"You don't mean you'll try to
peach!" Dick demanded, flushing
deeply.
II won't see Elinor perjure herself -
from Doris. 'She is not eighteen-so
can't marry without her fathers con-
sent"
puUenLly. FOT, II you Try TO DOCK
the game, right here is where you get
off. We've no use for trouble-makers.
Unless you promise to be good, out
you go, right here and now"
''Oh, Dick!" Elinor protested, hiding
her face. "You-you musn't-
but I will" from Dick grimly,
checking the car. Doris gave him a
cutting smile.
IT wonder you don't throw me out"
she said. But that might make trou-
BILE later"
''EIinor dear, come with me-"
"I-I-know I ought to-but-but
I can't" Elinor walled. The car shot
ahead, the predestined parson waving
his hat deferentially to Doris. She
looked about her. Thirty miles from
home, a stranger, with just a bit of
change in her bag. The case seemed
desperate, but she rose to it CALAMITY
Half a mile off she saw a handsome
house-a car was turning in to it
I she hailed it, saying breathlessly.
I - Il fe Tr77-