The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-10
EUening Story
Mayonnaise and Medicine.

about the city. But after fnvestiga-
ton, Yateston appeared to be one OF
the fast growing communities in the
ihundred-mile circle around the med
,tcal college where he had trained and
within which he wished to establish
himself. Moreover there did not seem
to be a plethora of doctors there. In
fact the number of doctors per in
number that prevailed in other towns
of its size.
And Laurence Montresor chose the
Arcade for his office because it was
the best of the second rate office
buildings that Yateston afforded. He
could establish himself in more pre-
tentious quarters later when he was
better known
So one June day there appeared in
the corridor of the Arcade a bright
and shining sign that said "Dr Lau-
renee Lidley Montresor, room POI, Of
flee hours $40 a. m, IL and 7-S p.
m" This sign was posted directly be-
side that other sign that read Head
quarters for the Laura Belle Mayon-
naise. room 204."
Some name" said the maker of
the mayonnaise, as she came to her
office and workroom the morning
when the doctors sign was newest
Laurence Lidley Montresor. I'll bet
he's a perfect lady with a name like
that"
And Laurence Lidley Montresor,
who was anything in the world but a
lady, being above average size, broad
and brawny and sometimes little
burly, looked at the sign beneath his
own: Laura Belle-that's a poor
name for mayonnaise," he reflected.
Hard luck having to start in prac-
ticing next to a mayonnaise factory"
He was still looking over his shoulders
at the sign when he collided with a
little young woman hurrying down
the stairs. 1t was Laura Belle Jones
herself-sole proprietor of the mayon-
naise factory She was hurrying out
to post an important letter and was
In special haste as she had left some
mayonnaise in the electric mixer. This
she explained as the doctor begged
her pardon for causing the collision
and then offered to post her letter for
her.
That was sufficient introduction.
Laura Belle seemed such a nice. sensI-
BILE sort of girl that the young doctor
welcomed her society," Patients were
slow in coming and sometimes DR..
Montresor, weary of waiting during
office hours, would leave his own door
open and then call on Laura Belle,
watching out from a crack in Laura's
door for patients who might and some
times did come. Meantime Laura
Belle, clad in an immaculate white
work frock and cap, would continue
measuring ingredients for the mayon-
naise, set the mixture stirring or fill
innumerable jars with the golden
emulsion.
Your business is thriving better
than mine" said DIR. Montresor one
day, as he watched with considera-
BILE interest the deft hands of Laura
Belle fitting tops on the filled jars.
apparently Yateston has more need
of mayonnaise than medicine"
Laura Belle laughed a little. well
I figured it out that there would. be
fair demand" she said. IT had tried
so many things-tutoring little chill
dren, sewing by the day, raising gar
den flowers. 1t was about time hit
on something that would bring in a
little money But L can't say that I'm
making a fortune. To be sure Pm
busy. There are about six stores that
take my mayonnaise regularly, rec
ommend it to their customers and post
my advertisements. But there are as
many more that won't handle it.
Felix's on Main street, Blaine's. Daw- |
sons, Smiths, Cages and Wilson'S. |
They insist that people want the other |
brands and don't see what an advan- |
tage it is to handle a sort that can be |
delivered fresh every day or SO right |
after it Is made. If I could get those |
other grocers then I guess I'd begin |
to make real money" |
That afternoon, after DIR. Montresor |
had made his short rounds, he turned |
down one of the coming business |
streets with considerable determine
ton. He left his car in front of a |
large and prosperous food store. He |
left a fairly larger order for various |
food products, mentioned at random |
He ended his order with six jars of |
Laura Belle mayonnaise." The grocer |
said they didn't carry that brand. but |
had something rather better"
"Oh, I'm sorry; I really don't want !
any other sort. I'm sorry, too. to |
have to call off that order. I'm set
Ting in town here, and want to have
regular dealings with a good grocer. |
but I'm stuck on that Laura Belle !
mayonnaise. No, never mind the rest i
of the things. I'll get 'em all at the |
same store"
Then DR.. Montresor went to another |
and still another grocery store until |
he had finished the list of stores that |
did not take tie Laura Belle mayon-
naise. At each he went thru virtually |
the same transactions.
The next afternoon Laura Belle was |
beaming wheL he called on her-i
beaming and very bnsy. Four of the |
grocers who had held out had put in |
big orders. While DIR. Montresor was i
calling. fifth gave an order over the |
telephone.
So we'll acquainted did the young /
doctor and the young maker of may
onnaise become in the few weeks fol- |
lowing that DIR. Montresor felt it his
duty to mention the fact of his en-
gagement-
He tried to do It casually, not wish
ing to give the slightest suggestion /
that he felt Laura Belle would feel |
any regret. The emotion that she had |
difficulty in concealing was first of
all surprise.
I'm glad you told me-" was all she |
said.
'T really forgot you didn't know"
said the doctor. little confused. 1T /
has been such a loI engagement that
all my friends seem never to think of
me in any way but the some time
husband of Kathaleen Mayes."
us that her name" said Laura de-
liberately. And then, "Kathaieen is a
pretty name-Iots prettier than
Laura"
"Oh. don't know" said the doctor
You see. she's my uncle's ward. He's
anxious to see US married. I suppose
we shall be some time. but not until