The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-27
EDening Story
Cousin Martha.
BY RUTH SPENCER

. W. Ia Ok 4-4NN4GAN-
It was because Henry Lane had
had no social connections in New
York that he had been taken SO
quickly and completely into the pleas
ure-loEing, fox-trotting young mar
ried set, OF Which Mrs. Blair Drew
was undisputed leader Henry Lane
was not especially young nor was he
married nor did hesz care for fox
trotting; but being of a sociable dis
position he accepted the Invitations
he received aud responded now and
then with dinner at his hotel to
square his obligations. Six months
before he had come to New York as
partner in a brilliant engineering pro-
iect with Blair Drew, his simple capt.
tai as well as his wide reputation as
a conservative successful contracting
engineer having prompted Blair Drew
to let him in on this project of his that
had already yielded enyiable returns.
At dinner party at the Drews
toward the middle of November some
body said something about Thanks
giving and Henry Lane admitted that
he had made no plavs for the days
entertainment
Thanksgiving is different from
other holidays" Lane was saying.
Somehow your New York idea of
taking dinner in a hotel and going
to a show doesn't appeal to me. II
Rockies I'd spend il in the good
old-fashioned way"
Mrs. Blair Drew smiled at her hus-
band and Blair smiled back knowingly
at her.
Go ahead and ask him." prompted
DO Nyou really suppose he means
that kind of a family party?" asked
Mrs. Drew. He might be bored to
death. You see," she said, turning to
THAR hqnhnlnr- W. al 90
up to Farnham for Thanksgiving.
It's a sort of a joke in the family.
Talk about regular old-fashioned
Thanksgiving Celebration" And
tagious little laugh.
i've n cousin--Cousin Martha-up
in Farnham. Nice old maid school
teacher, she is. Lives off there on
used to spend our vacations, where
her father and my father were raised.
For five years, ever since we've been
married, we've gone up there for
poets us. It's the one bright spot in
the whole year for her."
Here Mrs. Gregory interrupted. Mrs.
Gregory was Blair Drew's married
sister, who was one of the guests with
her debutante daughter, who had been
ner for Henry Lane.
'tOh, Blair" Mrs. Gregory's treble
was almost a shrek. you don't
mean you are suggesting to take Mr..
Lane off to Farnham 1--WE can stand
it, It's like taking bitter medicine
you dread it, but always feel better
for doing it. But please, Blaff, don't
ruin Mr.. Lanes holiday" She looked
across the table to Henry Lane.
Really, you've no idea what dreary
tha-we1l, I suppose there is some
such eccentric character in every fam
lily. Kind hearted and all that; not
really queer, but just content to live
off there teaching school. And bless
her heart, how she does look forward
to our reunion
Henry Lane had listened with OBJ
vfouss interest. From what you say,
I rather like Cousin Martha. But
wouldn't che be embarrassed by an
extra guest?"
BLESS you, no. assured Blair Drew.
About ten of us go as it is: one more
or less wouldn't phaze Cousin Mar
tina"
N'Of course, we couldn't stand it,"
explained Mrs. Drew, 'if we didn't
have a crowd. It's SO hopelessly dull.
We. always take a photograph in the
car-motor up the day beforehand
kill time by dancing while Martha
does the cooking"
docs she do all the cooking her.
self?" asked Henry Lane, with char
acteristic abruptness.
"Of course" assured Mrs. Gregory.
That's the kind OF person she isl
crazy about cooking and fussing
around a kitchen. A really good cook, !
if you like that sort of plain, old
fashioned cooking"
81 do" said Mr.. Lane, which was
hardly tactful. when Mrs. Drew's din |
nef that night was of the most mod |
ern and eccentric description. So it |
was agreed that Henry Lane should |
go to Farnham. and many were the |
questions he asked his partner con-
corning this country cousin of his and |
the old homestead at Farnham.
Monday morning before Thanksgiv- |
ing Henry Lane did not appear at the |
office. He had left a note for his |
partner, saying that as there was lit
tie pressing business that week he
had decided to loaf in the country. |