The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-15
JUST A GIRL
Blu JANE PHELPS
A LETTER AND A NOTE.
CHAPTER 145.

CHAPTER las.
The first thing I saw when open
ed my eyes was Kenneths letter. I
felt guilty that I hadn't read it the
night before, and started to get it
just as Aunt Susan brought me my
breakfast on a tray.
You'll spoil met" I told her laugh
ing. 1.-The idea of working girl be-
ing waited on and eating her break
fast in bed, for all the world like a
society BELIEF
You don't get much spelling now
adays. l guess it won't hurt you to
let me wdit on you" She drew up a
small stand, arranged the tray, drew
up the shade, and then left me.
I would let the letter go until after
I had my coffee, 1 thought. Then,
as 1 ate, 1 went over the incidents of
ner, our dancing, then the ride home
in the moonlight. How 1 had en-
joyed myself. 1t was with still an
other feeling of guilt that I recalled
that not once had 1 felt that l was
an employee, or that Frank Claxton
Having no children of her own.
Aunt Susan would have liked to
mother the whole world. And really
she spoiled me as far as she could
came in for the tray, she pushed me
back among the pillows, drew down
the shade, and raising a warning fin
ger ordered me to go right back to
sleep.
Laughingly closed my eyes. in
tending as soon as she left the. room
to read my letter But instead I
drowsed, and finally fell asleep, NOT
to waken until nearly noon.
Feel rested ?" she asked, just put
ting her head in at the door. 81
heard you moving about SO concluded
you were up"
IT feel like a Bird If only had
wings I would fly" I told her. ''Pr
hurry and dress and help with lunch"
Don't want your help. Your
! mother has gone to market, and I'm
making chocolate cake" She knew
1 was extremely fond of it, and often
made that and other delicious dishes
to tempt me.
Now I'll be sure to hurry" I had
not yet read my letter. bgt would
dress first and then read it.
Reluctantly I/drew the thick letter
from the envelope. What ails me?"
asked myself the question impa-
tiently 1 should be glad to hear from
Kenneth, and I wasn't Figuratively
shaking myself, 1 sat down by the
window and read:
Dear zena: In only six weeks
now I shall come for you. 1 had
hoped to pay you a visit in the
meantime, but it has been utterly
impossible. Work on the ranch has
demanded my personal attention.
You would not have me neglect it,
I am sure-even for you, or srather,
for you own pleasure.
Has the time seemed long to
you? Have you decided you will be
happy with me on the ranch-yeu
and your mother? 1t is very healthy
will hn Of
you.
"If you like you can have that
Aunt Susan you write about come
out, too. Anyway she can visit you
as often as you wish. judge she is
nice, capable sort of woman,
and there is always something to do
on a big ranch for everyone SO dis
posed.
81 intended to have some of the
rooms done over, but will let you
attend to them I haven't perhaps
just the taste that would suit you.
You see I am taking it for granted
that you are coming back with me.
I am sure you would have told me
before this if you were not.
st shall be unable to remain In
Chicago more than two or three
days, so plan accordingly.
Remember me to your mother
and your aunt if she is stiR with
you. But keep all my love for your
self-K
read the letter over twice. He was
taking my answer for granted-sure
it was to be Eyes when 1 was no
nearer a decision than when he left.
must make up my mind at oncei
This just came for you" Aunt
Susan laid a box in my lap. I opened
lit-violets and motel
Dear Zena-I shall call for you
tomorrow at 8, and we'll motor out
into the country.-Frank Claxton.'
1 buried my face in the fragrant
flowers. Then I lifted from my lap
Frank Claxton's note and Kenneth
Lawrence's letter. Franks note I
pressed against my cheek. while Ken
ineths letter dropped back into my
lap.
ct is the unattainable we always de-
sire" 1 had read that somewhere and
it came into my mind. But as 1 put
the violets in water 1 murmured:
7 ct must decide-at encei"
(Tomorrow-Zena is bewildered.l