The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-23
Euening Story
That Horrid Old MIR. Brookes.

BY LILY WANDEI.
.It certainly is terrible to wake
up in the middle of the night and
find that you are a thief, an honest
to-goodness thief" walled Dulcie from
the bottom step.
Particularly hard on the family"
added Ted, getting them all out of
bed on a cold winters night. And
say. why does this family always con-
gregate on the front stairs when
there's something the matter, Ell?
Nasty, draughty place, I'll say
II always knew she'd get in an
| awful pickle some day." this from
sixteen -year-old Senah. land now of
all persons, this horrid old Mr.
Brookesi"
Mother, won't you make them
stop?" begged Dulcie desperately, try
ing to keep her teeth from chattering,
land suggest something?"
Mrs. Driscom yawned as much as
her chin strap would permit. All
can think of is a nice, warm bed and
sleep. I've been up since six
You're not a bit like mothers you
read about" accused Dulcie tearfully
I'D think you'd be brokenhearted
having thief for a daughter"
Were not So broken-hearted put
in Ted, 'tas we are annoyed, old girl.
DeviHsh inconsiderate of you, dis
covering at o'clock in the morning
that you'd lifted your boss's diamond
scarfpin."
ITS all because you're SO careless"
supported Senah primly; 'any decent
person would have discovered it be-
fore retiring''
'.Your story is so confusing, Dulcie,"
murmured Mrs. Driscom sleepily.
Would you mind repeating it, but
start from the beginning this time"
''Oh, I've told it just as it happened.
You see, I was the last person in for
dictation, and then Mr.. Brookes comes
out of bis private office
Not that horrid old Mr.. Brookes ?"
interrupted Senah.
"Of course" answered Dulcie irrita-
bly,. you know perfectly we'll there is
only one Mr.. BroOkeS in the firm"
well, why don't you say old Mr.
Brookes or something-you'y always
called him horrid or cranky. or
beastly."
Dulcie went on ignoring the
younger sister He came out and
said he'd lost his scarfpin, a platinum
one with diamonds, very precious to
him. And we all began to- hunt. I
went into his private office and looked
there, and oh, everywhere. because,
you see, it was very embarrassing for
mel was the last one in-and-we
couldn't find it. Nobody could settle
down to work and we all felt dread
fully uncomfortable and each person
pin" i.
And old Brooks. what did the old
crab ?",questioned Ted.
'Oh, that is the worst of it, He
said he was sure he'd find the theft"
sobbed Dulcie pitifully.
%Well, go on with the story re-
minded Senah impatiently.
That's all there is, except, of
course, that 1 woke up in the night
and-and found tho nin''s
Mrs. DrisPm broke into a loud
ca-chooi This settles it-we're going
to bed. I'm catching cold. Go to
sleep, Dulcie. and forget all about it
till morning"
Bit, mother" pleaded Senah,
Brookes may have a detective outside
this very minute!''
Dulcie gave a little scream, but her
mother pushed her gently toward her
bedroom. "I'll not close an eye,"
walled the daughter
And Ted from his room door leased,
Just keep your eye off my scarfpin,
sis,''
Dulcie gave a little angry snort ami
flung herself in bed and promptly fell
asleep. 1t was mother, of course, who
lay awake an hour or more planning
what to do.
In the morning the little thief was
enjoying a hearty breakfast when Ted
having answered the doorbell, came in
with big. long-shaped box and placed
It on her lap. The rest of the family
imm ediately rose to its feet.
For me?" asked Dulcie, turning
white and red alternately.
Ted cut the string for her and
opened the lid, and Dulcie with cold
fingers pushed aside the tissue paper.
Red roses! Long stemmed and dozens
Of them. Such a thing had never hap
pened before in the Driscom family.
They lowered around Dulcie's Shout
ders, and when she drew a white card
from the box, the entire family read
the message with her
AS long as you have taken my
scarfpln-l saw it glittering in your
ha1r all afternoon-won't you take nv
roses too? And my love and my life
and everything L possess, and give me
in exchange just the hope of being my
wife some day? L. Brookes"
The first thing Dulcie was conscious