The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-22
EDening Story
Unimportant at a Wedding.
BY RUTH SPENCER

there is always something doing
around the holidays and Muriel Chat
was Fred's cousin) is bringing home
a pretty roommate They're both
seniors now. You and Muriel are, OF
course. like brother and sister, but you
may find Laurel diverting, tho now
you can look out for yourself and
don't want a sentime mental old aunt
matchmaking for you"
Fred Maston wrote back that he was
delighted to spend two or three days
at Christmas with her, but that she
mustn't think that he needed any dt-
version save that of her own and Mu-
riePs companionship. Pm a con-
firmed old bachelor now," he wrote,
land there isn't grain of suscepti-
bility left in me-" Fred Maston was
twenty-four.
He was quite convinced that he
really wasn't in the least susceptibles
still, he bore the name Laurel Dering
in his mind. and found himself some
times saying it aloud. LauHl was GER
tainly a charming and unusual name
for a girl. When ne went to some
pains buying new accessories for his
evening clothes, he tried to convince
himself that he did it for Muriers
sake. 81 wouldn't like to have her
ashamed of her old cousin" he told
himself.
He interviewed a candy dealer in
the city, and left a few of his cards,
in case he should send a telegraph
message ordering five pounds of the
best bonbons.
with fair hair and dark, deep eyes.
It didn't seem as il a girl named
Laurel could be of any other type.
When he found her to possess the
bluest of blue eyes in connection with
hair so golden brown as to be nearly
auburn he was surprised, but not dis
appointed. OF course, no one could
be disappointed with Laurel Deering'
appearance. Fred Mastin capitulated
at once-he admitted to himself after
that first evening at his aunt's that
she was by all means the most charm
ing girl he had ever seen. He did not
have TO admit this to his aunt. 1t was
perfectly apparent from his manner
when in LaureIs presence that he had
been completely charmed. Laurel, on
her part, with the perfect poise of
girl who has become quite accustomed
to being outrageously pretty, accepted
Fred's manifest devotion with
charming artlessness.
How L envy MurieI.'' she told him.
with Wfde-Open eyes the second day OF
their visit, ito have a cousin like you.
1 have two or three cousins she said
with a little pout, "but-well, they're
different" on the strength of this
Fred sent a telegram to the city candy
store with an order
There was a dance at the country
club that second day. Fred searched
out the florist in Town and ordered
flowers for Muriel and laurel He
let the fact drop to his aunt
you'd better cancel the order for
Muriel," she said. tom Robinson is
pretty serious about Muriel, and he'll
probably send her something. It would
be embarrassing if she had already re-
ceived very much nicer flowers from
you. Of course we all know that you
and Muriel could never be interested
in each other, but Tom Robinson
might be jealous. But I'm so glad you
ordered flowers for Laurel. You are
to be her escort, you know-such
nice girl
So they went to the dance. and tho
it was only a rather unpretentious
country Cub dance, Fred admitted to
himself that not even at his own Junior
prom had music seemed moro in
toxicating or dancing more exhilarat-
ing. OF course, he had never dancedsI
with a girl half so beautiful or SO
graceful as Laurel. Meantime Murlel
often as he and Laurel, and Fred put
Tom Robinson down as a very poor
judge OF feminine charm or a very
good actor to show such obvious pref
erence for his dark-haired, dark-eyed,
toe slender young cousin
1t had been agreed that the merry
makers should not attempt to rise for
the family breakfast next morning, but
Fred woke up by 8. grew restless for
another day to begin, dressed and
wandered downstairs. With a book in
hand he found a secluded spot in the
music room off the living room
Presently he was aware that some
thing was going on in that living room.
There were modulated feminine voices
and the sound of cups and saucers.
'I always get Bridget to bring
breakfast in here before the living
room fire" he heard his cousin saying,
table has been cleared and it's no
more~trouble and % much more pic
turesque-"
ever since came here" came LaurePs
enthusiastic reply. Fred peered out
from behind the wing of the enormous
chair he was occupying in the next
room and saw that the two girls were
breakfasting.
'I don't suppose Fred will be down
for some time. but just couldn't sleep
any longer" Muriel was saying. Fred
was hungry and on the verge of maxi
ing his appearance when he heard
You know I I-couldn't sleep at all
well last night. 1 guess I was too
excited. So I lay awake and had the
incest time just thinking and what do
you think I was planning?"
Your trousseau, I suppose" said
Muriel. That's what I do when I'm
awake like that"
Laurel giggled. mot quite. 1 was
planning my bridesmaids frocks. You
know. I'm going to have you and Nellie
and Jane. and I think violet would be
becoming to you"
"Oh, I'm going to have my brides
maids dressed in orchid. shall have
you-unless of course you're married
then shall have you for matron oil
honor"
There was a little more like this.
Laurel described her wedding gown as
she had planned it, even to the length
of the train and the arrangement of
the veil. This was too much for Fred
The only door led thru the living room,
but there was a window. Quickly he
opened it. jumped to the ground and
hurried thru the frosty air to the
kitchen. There he encountered his
aunt making meal plans with Bridget
He said that he had walked around the |
house 'to get the air.
The kindly aunt asked Fred to join
the girls in the living room for break