The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-25

the day was spent Rose had again
found a place" AS she went out of
the door, just a bit faint from her
long wait, she saw her cousin Ned
She tried to get away from him with
out letting him see that she was COM
ing from MES. McGinty's esta blish
ment. but apparently he had seen her
and there was no escape. Really she
was very glad and she fairly dropped
against mis- arm as they started to-
gether down the street in search of
some place to get a cup of tea together
at Ned's suggestion.
isn't it funny how often I see
you?" Rose began. only two weeks
ago I met you this way-after I'd
been discharged from Mrs. Benton
sons. / never used to see you much
before-before Grandma's birthday
party"
Nothing more was said of Grandma
Bliss or her scheme till Rose had, been
refreshed by tea and toast Then Ned's
curiosity got the better of him.
81 am sure whatever you are doing,
you are doing it in order to carry out
your ampition-but what that ambi-
ton has got to do with hanging around
employment agencies is more than l
know. l know you have given up your
office position downtown. You haven't
been there for three months-not
since grandma's party-and now you
talk of having been discharged"
Yes" said Rose, and there are
only two days before the three months
expire. I wonder if any of the other
cousins will get that bonus. I'm sure
won't"
No. and I don't see how L can
either" said Ned. Il have been try
ing ever since the party to see you or
find out where 1 could find you, and
except for the chance meetings, when
you manage to Sip away from me, 1
haven't had a chance before this one.
Sister Margaret can't get her nurses
diploma for almost three years, but
she's sticking to it like a trump. Tom
cant get the track championship for
a year yet, tho he's working like a
dog for it. Bob's exams aren't given
till spring, but he's sure to pass theen
tho he did fritter away most of his
time till grandmother party. That
leaves Nina: She's got five pounds
more to lose, and it's always the last
pounds that stick SO, she says. And
YOU"
"Oh, I didn't want to tell you,' Rose
said. cit was such a foolish ambition,
and / don't want the cousins to know.
You see, / had got so tired of working
in offices that 1 wrote down on the
slip that my ambition was to make
somebody think 1 was perfect cook. >
1 suppose it was sly, because I have
never had much practice, and if course
| didn't mean to go out as somebody's
cook"
What did you mean?" persisted
Ned.
Rose blushed a little. IT suppose that
l meant to be somebody's wife. tho of
course couldn't go out and marry the
first man that asked me and be miser-
able all the rest of my life just for the
bonus
Just for second Ned looked even
more confused than Rose. Then he
talked quick and low. could you
possibly marry me? 1 didn't think I'd
ever have the nerve to ask you You're
500 wonderful"
But. Ned, I couldn't marry you Just
to get the money. That isl think l
would be willing to marry YOU and
cook and everything and make YOU
think 1 cooked beautifully-but /
couldn't do it just to win the bonus.
Then I'd never know whether YOU
really loved me-
That's easy enough" Ned's voice
was triumphant. You see wrote
my ambition thus: To marry Cousin
Rosen Grandma knew loved you. so
I didn't mind telling her. But I didn't
hope to win-ever. Still I've been fol-
lowing you closely even tho I didn't
know what you were trying to do
Look here. Rose" Ned jumped
from the tea table and took Rose by
the arm. Lets get married right
away, as soon as we can get the Ii
cense and things. Then Wen both get
the bonus. I'd be willing to take nv
oath you're the best cook in the world
and grandma will take my word for
it-"-(Copyright. 1917. by the Nc
Clure Newspaper Syndicate.)