The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-22
EUening Story
The Vanquishing of Nancy.
BY NJ. McCULLoCH-wILLIAMs.

BY NJ. McCULLOCH-WILL
You'd love me If I were a pie
For my syrup and exc for my crust,
Therefore, sir, I'm asking you why,
You are raising this terrible DUST"
Thus Nancy improvised, her head
the least bit aside, her eyes dancing
! wickedly at sight of Lauren, most alb
ject of all her thralls. He stood half
way betwixt door and window seat,
his mouth mutinous, his eyes glowery
A letter had preceded him-the kind
! of letter Jealousy writes and seals
threatened the empress of his heart
that unless she ceased aspiration for
universal masculine dominion, he was
going to cut and run for it-she could
take him, else have him leave her for
good and always.
He had thought he really meant 1t
but all the way to the Fitch place
he had been in blue funk, fearing she
might also think SO. Suppose she
should take him at his word, give
badly into a sea of summer flirta-
tons? That would~be hard-she was
already hitting on all ski cylinders
that way, according to the gossip OF.
Blainhill. A select suburb, home
of families boasting super-finished
daughters, naturally it disapproved OF
their being put out of court by n~up-
start without a single accomplish
ment.
True, Nancy danced like a willow
in the wind, but never bothered as to
steps. She rode in any old costume
she happened to be wearing, played
golf with as little regard to sartorial
requirements, and at auction bid her
hand without regard for anybody's
rules or signals. Also and further,
she called sports clothes loud, even
vulgar, flip hats messy and beady
things savage. Notwithstanding, she
- oV--,a ;Ixa @f1kVN
and to have all the most eligible beaus
at her beck and call. AggraFating,
considering her status as an accident.
If the street had not got most of the
Jennings money, Nancy and obSdient
granny would never have had,
chance to snap up the Jennings cot
tage for a year.
The rector had vouci4ed for them
a work of supererogation considering
their bank account. Its lustihood pos
sibly made them so little of sticklers
for the social mint, anise, and cummin.
Granny's world beginning and ending
in Nancy. yet in its kindly round en-
braced all who were in need of kind
ness. Still-she wouldn't join things
not the village improvement. the
special Providept. the mothers circle,
nor even the library association. I'VE
shall stay only until Nancy gets to
wanting somewhere else" she ex-
planned. "Of course we'll do our part
but as outsi1ers-then there won't
be any trouble leaving"
That had been lived up to. Her
gardner had furnished plants for all
the gardens whose owners lacked
the rector she was a very special in
dividual pr owl e n e-new babies
might have howled down blessing on
her gray head, SO soft and plenteous
library was different. The Pitches
had brought books aplenty - they
bought few new ones, so had evidently
none to spare If Nancy wanted to,
dip into the latest sensation, 1t was
sent her from some city agency under
special contract Granny read little
beyond her Bible, prayer book. and
the morning paper. The paper kept
her from stagnating, she said. What
more could an Id woman desire?
She stopped midway the heavy
leader she was conscientiously wad-
ing thru to ask plaintively: "Laury,
do You know anything about stocks?
Or bucket shops?"
Enough to let them alone" Laury
growled, glad deep down of the stay
in his progress Nancyward.
Nancy sat up very straight, saying
primly to Granny: Don't tempt in
nocence, Grannykins, 1 know you're
a born gambler at heart, it's your head
that won't let you play the market.
Everybody hasn't got such a head.
Take care to set a proper example"
''Now amt that Satan reproving
sin? Laury, she has bought herself
another bracelet With her winnings
at the Elton bridge last week." granny
complained.
Lauren looked relieved-Nancy
made a face at Granny. I'm CAD to
know" he said, been wondering
where it came from since yesterday
'And thinking it came by the Ben
Bob Bobo route" Nancy broke in.
BE ashamed of yourself for a Silly
skin-as tho I'd wear any trumpery
thing you idiots here would choose"
even a ring? Like this?" Laury
questioned, moving close enough to
drop a fine plain small box in Nancy's
lap. She opened it gingerly. took out
what it held, but did not slip it upon
her dimpled finger--instead held it up
so the light winking thru it's thready
gold, struck rainbows from the two
diamonds of clearest water, set deli
cately at the ends of the gold thread.
After a long look she said softly
spired. Where, oh. where did you
find it?"
Didn't find it-had it made to or
der-my own design Laury SIAM
mered; then suddenly: But it is in
'fWeu said! Well done, young sir."
Nancy countered in her most spark
ling elderly manner. What a pity
you have forsworn me. I wonder
what you will do with it?"
Throw 1t in the river-unless can
put it where it belongs" Laury cried
catching her hand. and trying to un-
clinch it. The fingers, strong, for all
their dimples. baked him; nothing
short of violence would suffice to
straighten them. Swiftly he knelt, and
covered them with kisses. Nancy tried
to snatch her hand away, but Laury
held it with a firm, gently varying
clasp that yielded without loosing.
at On nv hand - she said i'm