Smyrna times., 1931-09-23
WEEKLY SOCIETY STORY FOR
EVENING ROUND THE LAMP
READING TO WHILE AWAY
TIME AFTER DAYS CHORES
"Why Doris Was Absent Minded,
an Interesting Short Story Writ
ten by Jane Osborn


some of their chocolate-frosted
crullers, a half dozen will do
and a pound of sweet butter at
Snair's-oh, yes, and three yards
of white ribbon about five inches
wide, not creamy white tut blue
white-and you might get some
special delivery stamps at the post
office. | always like to have them
on hand"
Mrs. Collins was addressing these
instructions to her daughter, Doris,
for breakfast and had casually re-
marked to her mother that she was
thinking Of going down town. Mrs.
Collins was the sort Of woman who
always could think of little COM
missions for everyone.
Doris, | don't believe you've
been listening at ALL" continued
Mrs. Collins. You are so preoc-
cupied lately"
Doris looked up with a tell-tale
blush. 'How perfectly absurd"
she protested. What in the world
should | be preoccupied about?"
What is any girl preoccupied
about?" returned Mrs. Collins. IF
they had One-tenth the things to
remember that their mothers have
they might be preOccupied Think
ing about boys, suppose. Well,
| do wish you'd go to the cleaners,
too. Those satin portieres between
the drawing room and the music
room-they really ought to be
cleaned before | put them back"
So Doris finished her breakfast,
trying meanwhile to remember all
the errands that her mother had
given her. A half-hour later she
came down from her room for a sec
ond time that day.
You're SO absent minded" her
mother greeted her at the foot of
the stairs, approaching her with an
enormous package, a ball of heavy
cord and q pair of scissors. You
might leave the curtains in the car
or somewhere, so dearie, I'm just
going to fasten the package to
you. | can run the cord up your
coat sleeve and then around your
waist. No one can possibly see
it, and when you get to the clean
er's you can get a knife or scissors
to cut it."
Doris protested mildly. but in
vain, so she started forth with the
large package in her arms. invisibly
attached to her waist.
On the subway platform she met
Walter Harmon, not at all by ac-
cident. She had said the day be
fore that she was going downtown,
and Walter had waited for the
last half-hour on the platform. hop
ing that eventually she would come.
He greeted her, registered his en-
tire approval of her appearance, and
put out his arm for the large and
awkward package.
II can carry it." said Doris.
blushing. Really, I'd much rath-
er." And in order not to be too
insistent he did not insist. But. of
course, he felt like cad standing
there, and later in the subway
train, allowing the girl he was es-
corting to carry bundle while he
went arm free. At their down
town station he again asked for
the package, but again Doris OBJ
jected. He insisted this time, and
Doris gave little cry as he start
ed to take it from her.
ITS fastened on" she said.
Mother was afraid I'd lose it. I'm
so absent minded" Walter looked
entirely disgusted. but then he
smiled.
Som l absent minded-lately.
wonder why it is?" he said.
Then they 10th looked entirely
self-conscious, and Walter had the
audacity TO press her arm at his
side as he had never dared to do
before, and Doris giggled a little.
So then it was agreed that they
should not Immediately part, but
should take taxi and drive
through the city park.
But won't let you hold that
confounded package" he said, and
once they seated themselves in the
car he whipped out his pocket knife
and cut the string at her wrist.
At one that day Doris entered
the dining room. Here are the
chocolate crullers and the sweet
butter is in the refrigerator" she
told her mother, land the white rib
bon and the special delivery
stamps. I'm sure l didn't forget
anything, l.
Doris had slipped off her suit
jacket as she was talking. do
for mercy's sake take that cord off.
Mrs, Collins had approached her
daughter, scissors in hand, but
Doris, with a little startled cry,
rushed from the room toward the
telephone.
Don't get excited" called Mrs.
Collins. walter telephoned just
before you came in. He said that
he noticed when he got back to the
office that he was carrying the cur
tains. He must be as far gone as
you are
I'll Just have to tell you" Doris
had danced back into the room
and over TO her mother. "You see.
were engaged. Isn't it wonderful?
And Walter said he would come up
this afternoon as soon as he could
get through at the office to ask you
formally"
Il thought something was in the
air." and Mrs. Collins shook her
finger at Doris, but not with disap-