The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-16
Eoening Story
Two Dinners.
BY Jessie DOUGLASS

il
Edith Hollis put the last pin in her
hair. It did look We'll The red Grape
dress that she had paid more for than
she cared to think about was spread
out on the bed.
! Still it was worth it. she decided.
For this was no ordinary dinner. TINS
| THANKSGIVING dinner down on EleY-
enth street in the exclusive part o.
. the city.
She could almost see herself step
ping across the sea of polished floor,
( into the long, dim, floWer-scented
room where Mrs. Barlow would smlle
kgraciously and Helen would give her
! a butterfly kiss as tho she were 4
member of the family. And then John
would rise and take her hand; sh@
I felt a little SILVER of happiness as
she could almost fancy that strong
( grip of those brown fingers. his oIue
| eyes never held anything but the most
! friendly light, but his smile and his
drawing voice could pull at her heart-
strings. If only-if only he would see
that she could fill a position in
house like that, grace any table.
charm any guests.
She could Lear old Drew announc-
ing, Dinner is served, madam" anG
she could even see the round candle
lighted table while elaborate course
, after course followed each other. and
only a turkey would give hint that
this was the 0eScenQenL OF InG III
grim's day of Thanksgiving.
Somehow I never seem to know
John Barlow, we just talk and laugh
and then it's time to- 60" Edith
thought "he Just sees the outside of
me. And yet if it's pretty enough
outside, it ought to help she solilo-
quized.
Brown eyes and brown hair and an
alluring dimple placed at her mouth
corner. Tall with something of the
quick grace of a bird in the turn of
her head. she was pretty.
And yet there were great many
pretty girls, all of them Edith's friends
and all of them frequenters of that
charming old house
Her thoughts stopped abruptly for
something had flickered past the win
dow and she saw that it was a falling
snow drop. 1t was queer how, in that
moment, another picture came to
claim her.
A little. old-fashioneL house. with
worn stone doorstep, across which
one, stepped INTO a parlOr where the
breath of balsam and the warm air
from the Franklin stove puffed out
to her.
She could see a little old -fashioned
figure, with d blue apron about her
coy waist, pending to basic the tur[
key in the kitchen; she could see L
square painted table with a place set
tablecloth.
Turkey, Drowned to perfection, and
potatoes and turnips and CLASSY round
cranberries and golden pies that
waited for consumption. And only one
person to eat them, a little round
woman with CHEEKY brown eyes and
hands that were rough and work
worn.
Il can't do it," Edith choked. "Nnt
for all the John Bartows in the world;
besides he's never even looked at me
he never wiIl!''
coat, and when she had unearthed 81
| time table she saw that she would
! Just have time to catch the 11.O1.
She sent u wire at the station to tel
the BartoWs she was going home, and
nen the train was gliding past the
u0iy stretches of salt marshes she
aauk back with a sigh. How could
she have thought of neglecting her
mother on Thanksgiving day? She
! had written thai she could not be
home. but now the surprise would be
all the nicer.
eyes on her, and turning, she gave
why. what are you doing here
I thought you she stopped and
b1Hshed painfully.
Were you dining with the cousins,
y
away I didn't see how 1 could stand
all that formality on THANKSGIVING
day. [ thought I'd just go out to the
country and walk a bit and stop in at
one of these old hotels and take pot
luck. But what about you"
| I'm going home" she said, and
| blushed harder than ever. II came
from the country. My mother
How jolly!' he whistled.
I'D be glad if you'd care to have
dinner with us she said.
would I? Well. rather! That Is
! if won't be putting you out?"
| When she assured him that that
was the last thing he would be doing,
! she turned miserably to the window
! She was overcome with shame Sf9
/ had had to ask him, and yet she could
see the amusement that would grow
| in his eyes at the simple home. with
| its lack of IuXuries, with its poverty
and simplicity A lump grew in her
throat and she could only answer hirl
| in monosyllables.
But when she had flung open the
door and felt her mothers arms
about her and heard her cry why.
Eide, you Gamer she turned a flushed
| exultant face to John Barlow.
He could seorn them. if he chose;
he must see them as they were.
But John Barlow entered into the
thing with the spirit of a boy. He
the turkey he asked for a second
helping of pie and he praised the dim
ner, much to Mrs. Hollis delight. He
| even carried the dishes out into the
kitchen with big apron tied about
his waist, and told them stories until
| the tears trickled down their cheeks
| between the laughs.
eff you'll let me. I'll come out
again. John said as he said gOodby.
II haven't had such a good time IL
years At last I've found real peo-
ple!"
Il like your beau right we'll" Mrs,
Hollis was telling Edith. land 1 know
.he appreciated a good home from
all he said. I'm glad we could give
him a real dinner and hope he comes
soon."
Edith turned a radiant face to her
mother. but she said nothing of the
new light she had seen in Johns eyes
Copyright. 1921, by the Mcclure