The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-27
EUening Story
Three Tests for George.

mo mother and Constance shook
her bobbed head vigorously, IT am
not going to marry George unless
am absolutely sure of myself-and
him. I'm too modern and well-trained
TO make a leap in the dark"
"And how" began her mother
mildly, "1o you propose to make your
self any surer than already supposed
you were. and may I ask, what does
George think of all this?"
"George?" Constance answered her
mothers second question first. why,
George won't know anything about it
until it's all over. Then. if he has
failed, 1l1-why, I'll simply say every
thing is at an end. Better a few dis
agreeable moments than a lifetime of
misery. As 70 how I'm going to do it,
I've decided or three tests which will
! show conclusively whether he is a man
to make one happy, First is he self
ish? Second----
"George selfish! Why. he's the most
unselfish man on the face of the
earth!" broke in her mother.
'Oh, know, mother" said Con-
stance impatiently. He seems so on
the surface, but I'm going to put him
second, as I was saying, does he love
children and dogs? Third, is he a
mans man? Do other men like him ?"
You know they do. Constance"
declared Mrs. Peck. "Of all TOM
Constance rose with dignity and the
impudence of the present young gem
Grafton. This is my marriage.
mother" she said coIdly. land III
attend to it,"
Now her daughters engagement to
George Morse had come to Mrs. Peck
as blessing straight from Heaven.
That her restless, daredevil child
should give herself to so splendid and
dependable a man after dallying with
poet who couldn't sell his poetry.
an artist who couldn't paint, a novelist
who couldn't write,< was cause for
great rejoicing. And here was Con-
stance actually tempting fate! Well,
sho should not wreck her happiness,
not if she, her mother, could pre-
vent it!
That evening Mrs Peck contrived
a moment alone with George as he
waited for Constance to put a finish
ing touch or two before coming down
to 60 with him to the annual ladies'
night of the one club to which he be-
longed: And after a few moments
earnest conversation Constance's
mother wound up almost tearfully,
Constance would never forgive me,
George, if she knew I told you. But
I did it for her good."
Don't worry, mother" said George,
'"I'n never give you away. I'm q
hundred times obliged and can prom
Use you everything will turn out beau
tifully!"
At that moment Constance ap-
/
not dressed for attending ladies' night.
Clad in short sport skirt, heavy
sweater and wooden toque she seemed
ready for an evening out of doors
George" she began gently. Il
don't want to go bit tonight. In
stead, let's go over on Benefits pond
skating. viii your
Mrs. Peck gasped. She recognized
test No. 1, but marveled at her daugh-
ter's temerity in choosing the one
social event George ever showed in
terest in. She was thankful indeed
that she had warned him.
But what was George saying7 was
it possible he had failed to grasp the
situation? For George had risen. and.
hands in his pockets. was glowering,
actually glowering. at Constance.
What do you mean by this. Con-
ME? You know 1 came here to take
you to ladies' night. And what's
more, I'm going to take you. I'll wait
exactly half an hour for you. Other
wise I go alone"
Remarkable to say Constance. as
sisted by a mother who was inwardly
wondering If she had been mistaken
in George after all, was ready at the
end of the half hour, and head high
and chin proudly set marched off with
George. The evening was not a par
tcularly happy one.
Nor did Constance's two other care
fully planned experiments meet with
any more conspicuous success Sur
roundlnS herSelf with half a dozen
youngsters and two dogs just prior
to this call the next afternoon, she
staged the scene for test No. 2.
George arrived, but instead OF fall
ing to and Joining in their merry
game, he rather peremptorily babe
her get rid of that gang and call off
the COMPOUNDED ours who were yap-
ping at his heelsl"
1t was almost tearful1y that Con-
stance preached test No. 3. She
limited at it to George as they sat out
in the couch hammock after the chill
dren had been dism' ssed.
Il couldn't marry any one but a
regular mans man. she said, APP
ropos of nothing at all. I'm so glad
you're thati'
But am II" said George easily !