The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-13
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
DISSATISFACTION.
CHAPTER SIS.

often l said to, myself that if only
I could find it, there must be some
think different I could do. I was out
of all notion that my fashionable edu-
cation might be of some help to me,
but it seemed as if girls of good ap-
pearance, possessed of common sense
and honesty, might do better thaings
! than wait upon people in a cheap res
taurant.
But 1 dared not throw myself out of
employment, and 1 could not look for
anything better wildcat the restau-
rant. 1 hadn't the strength. AT times
it seemed that I never could go on, I
was so exhausted. And yet did bet
ter than @t first To get home, crawl
into bed as soon as 1 possibly could
nearly always l had something to do,
mending, washing something for the
next day, and SO forth-was all
could accomplish. 1 was tired all the
time, so 1 had little courage to look
for anything better, tho the thought
was almost constantly in my mind
Mary was, 1 think, perfectly salts
fled. She often said it was easy com
pared to the sweat shop work, so max
ing me wonder what that could. have
been like. But she knew I was dis
satisfied, and seemed to think it only
natural that 1 should be.
You amt been used to it, Zena, and
have. You see a girl gets used to
hard knocks when she amt never haa
nothin' else. I don't blame you a bit
for wantin' to get something easier"
'It isn't the something easier so
much, Mary-altho this is terribly
hard at times-as it is that 1 can't
see any future to it. only earn
enough to keep me going, and send
mother so little am ashamed because
of Aunt Susan. If l NcoGld get into
something where by hard work could
improve my position, would feel bet
ter about things. But 1 get terribly
discouraged at times"
Don't wish you'd married Moore,
do you?"
NO. I never think of him. which
once in a while, but only to wonder if
he had really cared, and if 1 had hurt
him
Keep a stiff upper lip, Zena. Some
thing better will turn up some day. I
hate to see you fret"
I often caught MARI watching me
closely. and 1 knew sse felt anxious
when I worried. I had grown very
thin, and had lost my color, But was
well enough, and told her frequently
that I was perfectly all right, that
didn't want TO be fat.
YOu'n slip down a crack in the
sidewalk If you get any thinner" she
said in reply. I'D hate to have you
disappear like that. Folks might think
had put YOU out of the way because
was Jealous of your good looks"
Ct haven't any nowadays. SO don't
worry on that score"
"Yes-you are pretty, Zena, but you
look so worn OUT
Il am worn out, But so are you,
and so is every girl who works as hard
as We do. So don't think anything
about my looks. Just help me think
of some way to find something diff
ferent to do-something where 1 can
advance nv hard work"
"All right. I'll set my think tank to
work. But-I-why I should hate to
stay there with you gone, and
I'm not gone yet" I interrupted
intended to say, she acted embarrassed
and answered:
"Oh, nothing"
Mother wrote begging me to try and
come to them for the holidays, SO in
creasing my depression. I replied that
it was impossible, then saved and
scrimped in every way possible so that
1 might send her and Aunt Susan a
nice remembrance.
II guess it is good fog US to have
our mothers TO take care of" Mary
said as we planned for them. at
keeps us from wasting our money. But
amt it queer that we should both
have a mother to work for?''
1T is rather strange that we should
have found each other, but as for
working for our mothers. I imagine
many girls do the same. And why
shouldn't we, Mary? They worked for
us, took care of us when we were lit
tie and needed them. Turn about is
only fair"
I'D like to know your mother,
Zena. think she must be a great
lady
what makes you think that2"
Because if she wasn't, you'd be diff
/ fereht-more like me-"
''I only hope Mary may be as good
as you are" I replied. and I meant it.
! Mary Murphy was good all thru-a
true friend
! (Tomorrow-Mary's promotion.)