The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-06
EDening Story
Playing Goosebetfy.
BY LILLIE WANDEL


satin slippers stood invitingly handy.
yet Avis in camisole and silk petit
coat stood hesitating with puckered
white forehead and dropping lips.
I went ge," she was saying to
herself bitterly, I'D rather stay home
than play gooseberry for Penelope
and Rodney-for that is what it
outings! I'm tired of hearing Rod
ney tell Penelope how pretty she looks
tonight and of her telling him how
well he drives and what not!''
oh, it had been a queer affair from
the beginning-Rodney Wells coming
he meant Avis or Penelope. And
Avis. before she was positive that
Penelope was the lucky one. had
fallen desperately in love with this
really took it for granted that he was
attracted to her. For Aviss mirror
told her that her dark beauty was
more alluring than that of her. little
blond sister, but after a bit his at
tentions seemed equally divided and
was becoming the loser in the race.
With toss of her head and a deep
ugly hurt in her heart she marched
down the hall to Penelepes room,
and as she was about to enter the
girl herself steps out. Penelope with
her blond hair uneur1ed, unbFushed,
wore a sarge dress, all rumpled. and
a very pale face.
''oh, Avis, was Just coming to ask
you a favor" trying to speak nat
urally, 'I can't go tonight-no, really.
I'm too tired.
But will you do me faver?" slowly
bringing to view a square white en-
velope give this to Rodney" blushins
when any one sees you! can depend
uDOn it, can't i, Avis"
"Why. surely" assured Avis easily
taking the letter. Hope you will be
rested in the morning, I'm going to
spend the night at Metals" and re-
locking Penelope leaning against the
door.
"of all things!" cried Avis to her
self as she slipped into her dancing
frock, "to make me act as a go-be-
tween and carry their love-lettersi
It's cruel and Penelope does it on pur-
pose!"
Finished dressing she slipped her
party bag over one slim arm and
lifted her cape-there lay the white
envelope pleading--and quickly she
slipped 1t into the corsage of her
dress and hurried downstairs.
At the bottom of the steps she
stopped breathless and warm, for thru
the living room portieres she caught a
glimpse of Rodney waiting. His lean,
good in evening clothes. and the light
shining on his clear cut profile sent
warm rushes of blood thru Avis's
young body. ITS my night" she
argued to herself for one brief mo-
ment, my opportunity and Rodney
won't mind not, getting Penelepe's let
ter"
Penelope isn't going" she in
formed him. will 1 do ?'
That's too bad" he. regretted but
l. I'll l.
would do very nicely.
rcs The taxi ride with Rodney alone
would have been a dream realized for
Avis if it had not been for the sharp
corner of Penelopes letter pressing
into the tender flesh under her dress
and reminding her much against her
will that she had not fulfilled her
promise.
Rodney's hand lay dangerously near
her own and once he made a move
ment as tho he might take the little
willing fingers in his own but the taxi
driver taking a corner on two wheels
spilled Avis away into the corner and
Rodney did not renew the attempt
Avis felt her spirits ia gging, and try
as she would she could not whip up
any vivaeiousness. A gloom seemed to
have settled down on her that could
not be shaken off. At the party she
danced the first dance with Rodney
and she felt that her feet were heavy,
anu Twice she got OUT OF step.
"Oh, that letter, it's spelling my
EVENING"" she caught herself thinking
a hundred times.
Rodney was entertaining, even jolly,
but Avis's repartee was lame, and real
izing it she became quiet, almost sui
lenly tacituFn. She did not catch the
surprised glance that fitted over the
young mans face now and then
Finally she slipped out in the hall and
had a little battle with herself. Would
she give him the letter after all? No,
it was too late now And gathering
science pricks and determined to be
the gay, laughing companion she knew
Rodney admired, but the young man
was nowhere to be seen. After a bit
she caught sight of him towering
above bevy of pretty girls, and that
was as near as Avis got to him the
rest of the evening
1t was noon the next day when Avis
opened the front door of her home. In
the living room her mother smiled a
welcome.
Late hours do not agree with you,
dear" warned the mother. you're
quite pale.''
Where's Penelope?" demanded
Avis, hurriedly
"out," smiled her mother comforta-
bly,. Rodney called for her nearly
an hour ago. They spoke quite ex-
citedly in the living room and Pencil
ope came in to me with his violets
pinned on her dress and she sent
message to you, dear"
ITO mey' repeated Avis blankIy.
Yes, told me to tell you that you
were the dearest thing and to thank
you a hundred times. She said you
evidently had surmised flow things
were and had used your judsment-
whatever that means!"
Up in her room Avis, baffled. took
out the rumpled envelope and throw
fling everything to the winds tore open
the letter and read it.
Dear Rodney" the letter ran, aif
I have ever appeared to give you any
announcement, please forget it and
| feel yourself quite free. 1 have told
my sister that 1 am toe i'll to ge to
the party tonight. but the truth is
that l am tired of playing geoseberry
for you and Avis. Penelope"
Avis sat down on the bed and stared
After 9 while she said SLOWLY. We'll