The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-16
Epening Story
Salvation by Matrimony.
BY MARTHA NC. WILLIAMS

MANILA w 1LA4A3dO-
Coming? There's the last bell"
ZiIlah called to her cousin Frances
from the topmost step. Still Sunday
sunlight mad her glow like a rose
nQw1y open. Frances, noting it, sighed
lfafntly-she craved beauty of all
ithings-no transfigurings of light or
| shadow could ever make her other
than hopelessly plain. At least to her
own eyes-her mirror did not picture
her best moments. Few. indeed, ever
saw them-they came when she was
wrapped in the peace of green pas
lures, with the CLEAN of still waters
gemming the distance. Something
awoke then that made her as one with
the good world, part and parcel of its
harmony and rythm.
DO come. 1t makes me fidgety
sitting alone in our big pew" Zillah
entreated.
Frances rose slowly. ''If you can
almost loathly. Yet in less time she
was beside Zillah, trig, trim. severe.
a perfect foil for the other figure, a
concrete of roses, ribbons and girlish
charm.
Two men were already seated in
their pew-tall, young. well set up,
well looking in every way. They stood
differentially outside for the two girls
to seat themselves, and later went
thru the ritual with a reverent ease
that bespoke habit. Also they listened
alertly, catching every point of the
rector's discourse. Frances was unac-
lcountably glad it was one of his best,
| briefish but meaty turnout. and
breathing the vital witness Of the
spirit. The church was full. After
uncertainty. Then one turned to
Frances, with please, do you think
we may speak with the rector? We
came especially to hear him. 1t may
| be our only chance. My father was
good friend of his all thru the course
Then he must have known my
father, too. Did you ever hear of
Gordon Trabue?" Zillah interrupted.
Rather, I'm his namesake," the
stranger said. holding out a card.
which read: Gordon Trabue Whit
sett." And I've grown up on tradi-
tons of the triumvirate." he added.
| To think of finding part of it in just
this way
MY middle name begins with W."
Zillah said laughing. I'D surely be q
John Whitsett if I were the man I
ought to be-"
Don't say that! Nature knew
best" young Whitsett said, looking
down at her. Then Frances and the
| other stranger being duly known, the
four of them sought the vestry, where
| the rector rejoiced over them almost
as if they had been brands from tho
| burning After bit Zillah declared:
Everybody goes home with me to din
ner. Yes-you, tool" shaking her
! finger at Rector Fitch. Frances
won't mind going by for my Aunt
| Zillah. your good a.-gel-and mine.
daren't trust you out of my sight
! Daddy will be home from that tire
some contention-and gladder than
anybody to see you. He'd disinherit
me. I'm sure. if let his namesake
| escape" and, smiling at Billy Brent,
''he has always double welcome for
| a friend of his friend"
| Frances, take that lad along with
you. l know my Zillah-she is set in
it gently. please" The rector laughed.
| Frances frowned-in spirit only She
| did not mind doing Zillah's bidding,
nor envy her the ease with which she
| carried things before her. But it was
hard to have to make conversation
with some one new and strange She
had no small talk whatever, not even
| of the weather.
THE rector troG on several 'corns
of your mind" Billy declared as they
went down the vestry steps.
asked, startled.
! Your eyes tell tales" Billy retorted.
They are dangerously truthful"
| Howl" Frances asked
BY turning away friends, even
! w q e
the reply.
! II don't know how you can know"
she said, perpleXed line drawing be-
| tween her brows
| Honest Injun-don't you resent my
beng sent along?'' from Billy
| she nodded. "Yes-I knew we
should bore each other to no purpose.
| and that is such waste of living"
| Let's not do it then. Instead, tell
eacn other all about ourselves. That
| Is always inteEesting the party of
the first part, however the last NAV
fare" Billy said. standing still sec
ond
Il doubt if we are worth telling"
FRANCES said dispassionately. cat least
m not I'm just what look-some-
pody born to help fill Up the census.
All l really know is 1 was born and I
i shall die. I mean nothing to ANYBODY
| good or bad. Sometimes I feel ss,tho
Ia rather be hated. real hard. than
nave the whole world tepid."
Bravo! Now we're getting down
70 cases, Billy said, taking her hand
inaslerIully. I've been looking this
long time for properly educated
Woman-one who knows how TO
pray TO God, to love man, to knit and
70 sew. And now that have found
! her. shall never let her co.
Here the big Whitsett car overtool,
them, bore them on to the rectorv ac-
CURED the mistress of the manse more
or less forcibly, then whirIed the se-
gregatlon away to the Trabue home
stout and ruddy gentleman at cas-
on the piazza got actually pale as he
shook his namesake's hand After a
machine gun fire of greetings and in
qulrles, he was roaring thru long dis
lance: lack Whitsett, you scoundrel
come right on to- the love feast. Not
word from you this dozen years
now that boy of yours is doing his best
TO steal my only girl. Asked for her
what you talking about, man? That's
old stuff-clean out of fashion. Never
mind the hundred miles and more