The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-18
EDening Story
An Epidemic.
BY MARTHA Nee. WILLIAMS.

of civilization 2? Basil asked unoer
breath, nodding family toward Miss
Joslin. Edna smiled lazily. answering
in his key: TT did not 'happen'-no
reflection here on divine Providence"
Then How Basil began.
Edna interrupted: What you see
is like a Christmas tree-the ultimate
of accretion. Joslinda puts things,
more things other things, on and on
and on, till there isn't room Tor an
other. Bear witness-her hair Every
bit natural she says-and truly.
You can all but reckon her age by the
varying colors of her switches, trans
formations and so on"
Gait" Basil commented severely,
but undid the severity by a giggle.
then ran on: Il must have closeup
of course you'll present me?"
Couldn't help it'll tried hard"
Edna flung back. land you know
wouldn't try. Home is like the law
all men and women asked to it are
for the time being equal. Understand
I'm not making fun of Josinda,
merely explaining her"
PITY she can't see she makes fun
of herself Basil said, eying narrowly
a rawboned outline, tall AMI broad,
yet lank, without a softeniny curve,
clothed in loud plaid blue silk. low
-
bristling back and front with tag ends
of ribbon, ruffles. beads and fringe,
thereby doing discredit to some really
fine lace. A scarlet crepe shawl,
the shoulders to fall over n soiled
train. 1t half ambushed the bertha
of rose point which was caught in a
huddle at the middle with a cameo
brooch three inches across. Girlish
strands of coral Rugged the lean
a. Ii
beods, below which ran a thin gold
chain with a single big diamond as
pendant. Many manners of brace
lets, mostly cheap and ugly. half
covered the lean forearms but did not
quite reach the single button gloves.
Noting all (which. Edna breathed IN
BasiPs ear: "All her heirlooms but
two-grandma's gold snuffbox and
grandpa's silver punch bowl. L look
to see that some time instead of a
hat. Joslinda says she does so like
to be individual in dress"
Must be rich,'' Basil commented.
Has been. you mean" Edna re-
turned. 81 laugh at her because
can't help it--but inside I'm sorry as
can be-she SO Graves the fine things
she feels herself to have been born
| to-gets herself up this way as a sort
of defiance of Fate"
TT is right down pitiful-if you
look under the surface" Basil an
swered. rising with her. Two minutes
later he was shaking hands with JOS
linda-who babe him call her by that
name same as my other friends"
She was fearfully and wonderfully
made up-rouged almost to the eyes,
whitened beyond any sepulcher,
scented of lavender, cheap essence
| and moth balls. You bette : take care
Needy is the baddest of all us girls. :"
she said archly. glancing at Edna.
She looks love at everybody. Don't
you never believe her eyes"
Thanky ma'am for telling me
now shan't have it on my conscience
that she is breaking her heart for
me-" Basil answered with his most
solemn accent. You had better tell
Brother Nixon. too. Unless you do. I
Tear he'll be. running away from his
conquest before he is half thru con-
verting all us sinners"
'She-she-can't be trying-welI'
A >flirt will try anything" Joslinda
said acridly. You'd think she'd let
alone a poor widower-with two chill
dren-almost babies. in fact"
You know men are often Caught
IN the rebound. You seem to me the
very moral of a preachers wife
maybe If you hadn't been so high
with him." Basil paused signifi-
cantly. then dropped shamed eyes as
ne saw the flush that spread over
neck and forehead, despite the whiten-
the white indeed. JosIinda swallowed
hard. then blurted out: What makes
you say that? Anybody tell you any
thing! 1-I-never dreamed he-oh
Pshaw! mustn't talk foolishness.
But do wish you'd tell him"
What" Basil asked very low.
The-the truth" Joslinda answered
as low. You know-about me-and
you and Neddy. You're the one for
her-Tve known it ever SO Iong-my
caution was all in fun. And you can
tell him, too; 1 won't mind dressing
plain. 1 know what Scripture saws
about gold and costly apparel. IN
sell the hen house. I've been told
they are worth enough money to clear
OFF my mortgage-but you see, a girl
be an old maid"
or course" Basil returned chuck
lingly. Joslinda was obviously beyond
middle age. Still he owed her an
enormous debt of gratitude. If she
did not know Edna's hearth she had
spoken even half truth, he would take
heart to propose to his dear for the
magic seventh time,
In the joyous relief of that under
standing he was ready for anything.
Nixon, the evangelist, was a fine.
genial fellow, younger possibly than
Joshnda, but greatly in need of a
WIFE Her plantation, MORTGAGE free.
would be a fine haven, whence he
could sally to fight the world, the
flesh and the devil. Joslinda, minus
heirlooms. in clean. crisp cotton frocks.
would be comforting If not highly
decorative. Then there were the
pa oles-how she would cherish and
spoil them. For them, if nothing else
the thing must go thru
Because this was sit-down party.
not dancing one, the minister had
come to it. A whispered conference
with Edna, and it was no trick at All
to anchor him safely beside Joslinda,
in the seclusion of. the bay window.
Il meant to use that myself" Basil
said. respectfully, with glance back
ward as they left the pair. But 1
can't grudge the other girl ANYTHING
right now that she is sacrificing her
self to take a lion from my path"
"Goosei" was all Edna answered.
but somehow Basil Stanley did not re-
sent the epithet