The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-22
JUST A GIRL
ZENA RENTS A FLAT FOR HER
SELF AND MOTHER.
Blu JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 1926


IT shall soon be able to send for
mother" I said to Mary about six
months after her marriage.
THAT means that you will leave Us"
her voice trembled little altho she
smiled.
Yes, but shall try to get an apart
ment near here so we can be together
often. You will love my mother, am
sure"
Il think I shall be afraid OF her
Zena. 1 never knew any real fine
ladies like your mother must be-"
''She IS fine, Mary. and that is why
you will not be afraid of her, but will
be fond of her instead. know she
longs to be with me, a1tho she has been
fairly happy with Aunt Susan Bracket.
And she may miss the country, and
the flowers, etc. But you see Mary
there are only two of US, and we
should be together if possible"
II think so too! and it was selfish
of me to feel sorry to lose you. l don't
Know how well ever get along with the
shop when you amt here to advise us.
Tom said the other night that you
were earning a salary, and didn't get
it."
Nonsense. and Mary, mothers
coming will make no real difference in
those things. 1 shall always be just
as much interested in you and Tom,
and in the shop. 1 may not be able to
be with you quite as much, but you can
come to U.s. and in that way wesl1 keep
in touch with each other constantly
But mother isn't here yet. 1 have to
find flat, just three rooms, and fur
nish it all complete"
TN help! and Zena, there's a new
apartment house just finished about
two blocks from here. 1t looks awfully
nice on the outside"
Wen go and look at it tomorrow. :"
had saved two hundred dollars, be-
side sending mother More than ever
before, and buying myself some work
ing clothes I was sure l could furnish
my three rooms with the two hundred
and as 1 would not have to send
mother money, since she would take
it all and manage the house, L was
positive We could get along nicely. I
had not mentioned my plan to Mr..
Claxton. altho 1 intended to before /
decided upon anything, as l would
have to give him as reference per-
haps.
The house was just as nice inside
as out l looked at several of the
apartments, and finally took the refusal
or three rooms and bath up two flights
of stairs. The rent was $25 a month
all and more than felt I should paw
But hated to make mother climb
any higher. altho the one above was
$3.50
The agent asked me for references
saS l expected.
told MIR. Claxton, explained my
plan to bring mother on to live with
me, then asked if he was willing the
agent should telephone him as to my
ability'to pay. and as to my desirable
ity as a tenant.
Certainly and Miss Stewart, shall
give you $40 a week hereafter. Your
work is worth it,
I was delighted. Now 1 would not
feel that perhaps had paid too much
rent for the apartment. Surely with
$40 a week mother and I could live
high.
1t would take me at least two or
three weeks to get ready for her, and
as the increase in my salary was to go
into effect Immediately It would be a
great help in paying her railroad fare
hated to spend even car-fare after
had rented the flat. 1 begrudged
every penny spent that didn't go to-
wards furnishing it, and getting it
ready for mother. Mary helped me
every minute she could spare from the
shop. She made the curtains, covered
pillows, and hemmed linen, even in
sisting on taking some of the sewing
to the shop to do If trade were dull
Tom, too, helped me wonderfully and
saved me a good deal by doing many
things 1 should have been obliged to
hire "a man to do.
II don't know what I should have
done without you two" 1 said as
babe them good night after we had all
spent a long evening at the flat
II don't know what we should have
done-or been. without you, Zena.
We are very happy to be able to help"
Mary said seriously.
(Tomorrow-A long delayed COM
municationl