The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-27
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
ZENA DECIDES.
CHAPTER 1856.

"Zena," Frank Claxton said. Then
he leaned over and took both my
hands in his, at love you, dear, and I
want you to be my wife. Can you care
for me enough?"
I trembled so I could not speak. /
had known intuitively for some time
that he cared for me. but I had not
allowed myself to think of him-had
not encouraged myself to dream as I
had dreamed of Kenneth. He seemed
think that was always in my mind,
that he was my employer. 1t helped
to keep me sensible.
Don't you care for me a little,
dear?" he asked very gently. still hold
ing my hands closely.
''Yes--I think-so," hesitated.
Don't you know" he drew me to
him.
"Yes-I think 7 do-now," said.
And he kissed me then.
And you will marry me, dear?"
'I-don't know-Mr. Claxt6n-I-"
Whats the matter with Frank?
It's perfectly good name"
ct don't know-Frank," I repeated.
t'Ten me why. dear? If you love
promise to be good to you, to make
you as happy as cam
'sYes-but I mustn't rush into mar
riage blindfold, you know"
You tease! OF course, you mustn't!
But don't you know me yet. Zena? l
had hoped you would come to me soon.
want a wife, a. home. a mother. You
can give them all to me. Do sound
selfish, dear? In return I will give
you all the love a man can give wo-
man. Won't you trust me, dear?"
''It isn't that I don't trust you.
RI r %aIy in
my feelings once-you know-and L
might be-again.''
''Tll risk it if you will marry me-"
81 must be sure-no, pleased" as he
was about to take me into-his arms
again. Let US talk first. love my
take care of mother, and perhaps Aunt
Susan as she grew older. I hoped to
make myself efficient as a business
woman 1 don't know-that I am
ready to give up that idea to marry"
But, dear. You can help me more
by being my wife than in any other
way. And long so for you. I felt as
tho the end of the world had come
when you told me you were going to
leave me, to marry that other. Sweet
heart, give me your promise? ?"
''I shall keep it if I dot is a way
have" replied.
Then pronise." and his lips on
mine, l promised to give him his an
swer in three months if he would con-
sent to my working until then. I knew
loved him, knew now that he was
the only man in the world for me. But
I was not quite sure I would be
satisfied to give up my dreams of
business career, even for h1m-hls
love, and all his wealth could give me.
Men are right when they say business
makes women cautious about giving up
their independence.
Supper is ready. Why didn't you
light up, Zena? You two been sitting
in the dark all this timet''0Aunt Susan
pretended to be shocked, but we both
knew she was laughing at US.
Don't tell them-yet," whispered
to Frank as we went into the dining
room. But he was so lover-like and
was so embarrassed that I saw they
both suspected. Aunt was as fussily
transparent as could be, while mother
looked her satisfaction.
After Frank left i told them, and
they both cried out at my decision.
IF you love him, dear. and he wants
you, why wait ?" mother asked.
Because. mother dear, want TO be
sure.I I want to be positively sure that
I prefer to be a wife rather than a |
business woman. It will be hard to |
give up my independence-I have
striven hard for it, you know; and |
what we work for, we hate to lose"
81 don't see but what you are gain |
ing lot-even if you do lose your in
dependence to an extent. Too much /
of that commodity isn't good for a |
young woman" Aurt Susan broke in. /
'It is three months today. Zena, I
want my answer Darling, is II me or
your job?" Frank drew me into his
arms.
cit is you, dear"
"And sweetheart, have you con-
WINGED yourself that you prefer me and
my love to your independence shalLi
be a hard taskmaster."
Ct am not afraid. I have my eyes
wide open, Frank"
THE END.
(Jane Pheips's newest serial. THE
Woman He Married" will start in
this column Monday. It is the story
~ xz-fcs Loud his xz-ifa mt