The Topeka state journal., 1919-10-13
EVENING STORY
Always a Way Out.

why, what have you to be worried
, about? You're young and pretty and
engaged to John Shuler, the finest
young man IN the world"
Its this. mother: John has al
ways moved in the best circles both
at his home and at the university. and
we have lived SO simply <here-pinch-
ing nickels-that 1 won't know how
to manage the beautiful home he is
building for u.s.
You'll learn, dear. and l will tell
you everything 1 know. l had a nice
home once"
yes, know, mother. but telling
isn't seeing. I lack the practical
, knowledge of everyday usage. Why
,, I couldn't serve dinner properly
! We've mostly eaten out of boxes,
we've been so busy
That's true enough, Allie"
Mrs. Mangan and her daughter
were sewing in their tiny living room
during this conversation. Two weeks
| before Alice had finished her first
! year in college While there she had
met John Shuler and it was love
affair at first. Alice was working her
way thru college by being an assistant
/ teacher.
| Her mother. left widow with two
little girls when very young. had made
a brave fight to educate her children.
/ Alice had been a, wonderful help with
the hcusework and sewing, and later
with tutoring.
| Things were looking much better
| for themS now, as Mrs. Mangan had
| been offered a position as manager
| and designer of the dressmaking de-
| partment in one of the large stores
| She was taking a two weeks rest that
she very much needed. She had done
| dressma king for years in the little
rooms where she lived with her
daughters and was weary of the
I drudgery of it. Louise, the younger
| daughter. was in her sophomore year
| in high school
Alice. with her beauty and charm.
! had won the catch at the university.
John Shuler's parents had come from
a neighboring state for the graduation
| of their son, and Mrs. Mangan and
Louise had managed to scrape togeth-
er enough money to go and meet AL
lies intended husband and his family.
Everything had been so pleasant.
Life looked very bright for them all
and now Alice was worried:
Alice put down her sewing. grinly
/ determined. Mother, I have a plan
and 1 hope you won't hinder me. 1t is
this: You know the charming Mrs.
Fred Merton who lives in that pretty
| house on the corner of Eighth and
| Pleasant streets?"
| Eyes, dear"
"She needs maid and I have decid-
| ed to ask for the place. Now wait un-
til tell you my plan I can work for
/ ding John isn't coming here until
then. That will give me some real
money for my trousseau, and you can
have my things made in your shop. l
can learn how things should be done.
The house is about the size of the one
l am to live in in Oxbridge, and she
keeps one maid and has a laundress
come in. Just exactly as John and 1
planned for ourselves"
"But-wouldn't John and his family
be Mortified at your working as SER
vant?"
'They will never know" declared
Alice. II shall give another name.
am used to work and shall ask ques-
tions and learn a lot. You know, Mrs
Merton belongs to one of the best fam
lilies and always does the proper
thing"
'Tf it were any one else. dear" said
the mother, II would think-it good
plan; but hate to think of you doing
| a servants work"
1T is the kind of work that thou
sands of women do in their own
homes. Besides, I wouldn't be ser
want. 1 would only take the place Of
one for 3 few weeks. and 1 need the
money as well as the knowledge. OK
bridge, Johns home town, being a
small place. goes in hard for society:
Parties all the time, and they dress
more there than in a larger place.
''I hate to go to John with miser@
able wardrobe. He wouldn't care
the dear-but for his sake I want
some clothes and some social knowl-
edge 1 can learn more in the short
time Ishall be at Mrs. Merton's than
! in years later-besides, I shall be
saved the embarrassment of making
| mistakes"
"Oh, dear!" said Mrs. Mangan, look
ing bewildered.
BE a sport, mother, and we'll enjoy
this secret together. We've lived so
secluded here in these little upstairs
to US. Mrs. Merton has never seen
me, altho, being so popular, have seen
/ her and heard lot about her. too.
Please. mother"
> Very well, Allie. I am almost en-
thused."
Il shall go at once and apply for the
: place. said Alice as she pinned on her
hat.
Alice came back beaming with en-
thusiasm. ''I start tomorrow and Mrs.
: Merton is a dear. 1 told her 1 was in
= experienced except in plain cooking.
She will show me everything for a
week. Then will know the routine" ."
Alice returned every evening and
S told her mother and Louise OF what
, she had gained in knowledge. She
kept notebook.
'Just think" said she, 'I didn't
! know how a table should be set; nor
where TO seat the guest of honor; and
these are important things to know.
| NohAli6 NAiC VI NIlS
= kinds of china the Mertons have
t Then, too. Mrs. Merton is chairman
y Of the art department in the womans S
club and she told me a lot of things
that they study. For instance:
0 know. now, that know nothing about
e pictures and 1 know John doesn't; so
we won't have any pictures in our
house until we learn something about
e them"
You have the rest of your lives to
select pictures" said Mrs. Mangan, so
g think you are wise there"
Mrs. Merton is going to borrow
d some of the papers the members of the
: class have written and let me read
: them. Then 1 have access to all her
= art books. My notebook is nearly full
: : now and 1 have been there only five
II weeks"