The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-24
EOening Story
Happiness Insurance.
BY MARTHA M'C-WILLIAMs

the lady who said, 81 don't want peo-
pie to do anything bad. but j. they
will do it, why, 1 want to EnoW all
about it." Which is another way of
saying Mrs. Grundy. plus a detective
bureau, had nothing on her in the
matter of knowing things If. as some
times happened, the things turned out
not to be so, she said she was sorry
for having repeated them, but never
took pains to set hearers right. Per-
haps that was just as well, consider
ing that listeners commonly take
after-corrections as perfunctcry, tho
keeping a vivid c edence of tie things
denied.
Notwithstanding, Mrs. Timmins was
no ghoul-merely a born gossip, kind
and generous in things save Judg-
ment. By believing the worst of things
right off the reel she felt that she
saved herself the shock of discoveries
Thus when the Ridley-GordOn en-
gagement was broken sheTwaS intui-
lively sure Carol Denham was at the
bottom of it. Also that it was a shame
--Lisbeth Gordon Was clearly cut out
for a stepmother. And Jack Ridley
had all the things Lisbeth deserved
but lacked-money, position, a fine
home and mighty good heart to bal
ance his hot temper. Also and further,
the Ridley twins, big girls of thirteen,
had made truce, saying openly: we
hate to have da3 marry, but if he will
do it, we'd rather have Miss LisbethG
Any well-regulated mind would ac-
cept that as final, a clincher that here
Ridley luck was lining true to form.
Mrs. Timmins couldn't put the
breakup out of her mind. She began
to hate Carol heartily, also to spy
upon her. That was almost too easy
the Denhams lived catacorner
across street, thus the Timmins win
dows automatically commanded the
house, front and side. Comm only
Carol came and went by the side en-
trance; further, she sat in the eve
nings on the single step there rather
than on the broad granite slabs in
front. A fierce frowning satisfaction
filled the Timmins consciousness
whenever its owner noted Ridley
escorting Carol up the side path or
sitting with her in the softer dusk of
a space the arc lights did not reach.
True, this was none so often-say
fortnightly at most. Against that was
the fact that Carol admitted openly
choosing stuffs and colors for the
making new of the Ridley home.
But if the case looked dark for Carol
it was darker for Lisbeth. From a
sober home body she had become a
butterfly - here, there, everywhere.
gayest of the gay. Evidently her will
low had turned to a rose garland in
the wearing. Nobody denied that
Banker Ridley had broken the en-
gagement, yet nobody knew for GER
tain Not even Carol-she perhaps
might have made a~Slarewd guess, but
never 0lQ 1L-nOI even unQer Ine
provocation of rigorous Timmins
cross questioning.
Things went on thus for a. full year
Carol was the only girl ever seen
with Jack Ridley, yet there was moth
ing lOverlike in his attitude-at least
on the surface. The oldest part was
Lisbeth saw SO much of her reputed
supplanter-came and went as she
liked at the Denham house and was
evidently always welcome. Now and
IaT- OF "a
finance, shook hands with him cor
daily, or waved him a gay good-by as
occasion required. Which was the
hardest nut of all for Timmins's crack
ing. Why. why had they played quits
if they were as good friends as ever?
The situation was hectic enough be-
fore Lishbeth got herself a car. That
was amazing enough, but nothing COM
pared to the use she made of it. Five
afternoons a week she came to the
Denham steps, but not alone. Billy
C0ntren. Ridley's lawyer. sat always
at her elbow, until Carol displaced
him Then the car whirled away
downtown, where it was known to pick
up Ridley and go it's rapid way. The
way must have been lengthy. It sell
dom came back before eleven of the
clock; sometimes it was even midi
night. But nobody on the street could
complain; the coming was so quiet it
might even have been called furtive.
Fancy the Timmins feelings! The
dear lady grew almost apopIectic if she
let herself ponder things too long.
Such goings on went beyond decency,
to say nothing of experience. She
confided to her next friend that it
wore her to a fragile, this living where@
she ought to know everything and
knowing nothing at all.
Now, why don't you ask some Of
'eTu right flat out?" queried the lis
tener. II would If I knew any of 'em
well as you do. Besides, Jack Ridley
does the bankin' for you and all your
folks, not to name bein' warden in
your church"
"Oh, my husband would have a fiji"
Mrs. Timmins protested; but the sug-
gestion stuck. Do what she would, she
could not get rid of it. Carol, she well
knew, was hopeless. Time after time
she had done her best on the close
mouthed thing. Lisbeth was much
freer-spolken. but had somehow a for
bidding way with her. Billy Cantrell ?
He was likely to be as much in the
dark as anybody. Only Ridley re-
mained. To him at last she went. os-
tensibly for counsel as to a proSpec-
tive mortgage-she did hate to have
even $500 drawing no more than per
cent
She found the banker rather more
than his usual self He shook both
her hands, made her take the easiest
chair and was particular in suiting the
light to her weak eyes.
Mighty glad to see you" he said, |
smiling down at her. Right now I'd
like to see every friend I have"
You haven't got better one any
where than me and my man." Mrs |
Timmons propounded.
"Right-o!" came back almost in a
whoop of joy.
1t emboldened the good lady to |
plunge in the middle of things.
Then you won't mind my saying I
my say" she began. Il just got to |
before nervous prostration-"
Fire away" from Ridley, suppress !
ing a giggle-
well, I want to know the straight |
of this tangle-you and Lisbeth and /