The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-05
EUening Story
David's Mother.
nv cr,AnrssA MAcKTE.

"Edith!'' Mrs. Temples voice
cracked Historically. She sat up
straight in her chair and stared in
credu1ously at the slim girl perched /
carelessly on a corner OF the table.
Edith slipped to the floor and patted
her mothers chiffon shoulder with a
eapable-looking, sun-browned hand.
There, mother, don't bother too
mitch about tit isn't quite SO bad
as dying she laughed pleasantly.
but there was hard CLEAN in her
Her father regarded her in stunned
silence. She suddenly whirled on him,
ihpatiently.
"Well7" she asked erisply. 'What
do you think about it, Mon Pere? The
marriage of your only child to an hon
est young man.
my chauffeur!" he interrupted
sterniy.
Poor, honest and htndsome-you
cannot deny THAR
He shrugged. IF you are willing
to sacrifice your position in society
the loss of your friends-why,E your
motHer and will consent You know
that we want you to be happy and
well beloved wife. above all"
Mrs. Temple was sobbing quietly,
her proud white head bowed in her
hands.
The girl looked from one to the
other, her mouth set mutinously. All
her life these parents had denied her
nothing, and now her rowing fancy
had been attracted to the handsome
young chauffeur. It was David Geer
who had held himself aloof from the
dazzling daughter of the house, but
there came a time when social posi-
ton, money and all the barriers of
birth and breeding were forgotten.
And now, Edith was asking them for
consent to her maria ga mesa1li-
ance which would startle society and
make nine days scandal for the
public prints.
well. dears," she said slowly,
curious little smile Aedging her lips.
Il want to be happy want your
consent, too, but
you mean you will marry with or
without it," interrupted her father
dryly.
admitted almost su11enly.
You are willing to sacrifice much
for his sake?',
The pfue eyes blazed. Eyes" she
said quietly. II m sorry it couldn't
| have been Peterby Ross or Marshall
Fleming-but, dears, love is so err
ratici" She bent and kissed her moth
er's white hair
The door opened and footman en-
tered, glaring haughtily at a short,
stout woman who followed him close
! MRS. Geer calling, madam" he
| choked and stumbled awkwardly from
| the room.
Mrs. Temple lifted her head and
gazed with languid surprise at the
stood squarely in the middle of the
room. Mr.. Temple placed a chair
| and wondered why the woman had
not gone around to the servants en-
trance.
mo, thank you. sir. won't sit
down." she said in determined tone,
and with hostile glance at the pale
| girl near the table. II came to talk
to you about my boy David
David % The man and woman
were startled into attention
I Yes, he's your chaffer-he wants
to marry your daughter-he told me
/ last night
at is-impossiblei broke out Mrs.
Temple.
Mrs. Geer nodded emphaticalIy 81
| told him that-Athey would never be
happy for moment"
"Of course I would do my best for
| them" began Mr.. Temple heavily. as
| he saw Edith's bewildered face. "She
is my only child and will, some day,
| inherit a great deal of fnonev-and
Hthat, in itself, brings responsibilities. !"
} More responsibility than happi-
ness" said Mrs. Geer, sharply 1--WE
told the boy he's fool-what's more
he'll lose good chaffering job in the
bargain
Mrs. Temple Smiled thru her tears
| "Of course none of our friends would
want to employ Ediths husband, in
That capacity; it would be most awk-
ward"
Mrs. Geer turned beady brown eyes
| on the beautifully gowned woman, on
| her Short skirt her dainty gray silk
! hose and shoes, on the jewels that
, blazed on her fingers. Her eyes Dart
| ed to Edith, daintily alfred in an ex-
pensive frock, scanning the naughty
young face and the hostile eyes
us that the girl?" she asked sharp
~.
Edith drew herself to her full
height and turned her head aside.
Mrs. Geer shook her head. "I won't
| have my boy marrying into any rich
! family" sha said 011iefIv sGrbie eyir1