The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-19
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
a PROPOSAL
Chapter 1872.

Chapter liz
"Miss Stewart ZeLa, will you marry
nie?"
fairly gasped with aston.sAment.
1t was Mr. Belts the general manager.
who had asked the question. He had
gone out of his way for some time to
efface the impression had of him
| when 1 first went into the office. But
that he had any such idea in his mind
as marriage 1 had not even dreamed.
"Why-no-Mr. Betts." stam-
mered.
perhaps I was too sudden he said
with a smirk, "but 1 wanted you to
know that is the way l feel toward
/ you.J If you will let me. will make
YOU care for me; and I'll say nothing
more about marriage until you do.
But 1 was afraid you'd think l didn't
mean to be square by you. so asked
you to marry me first; then l can do
my counting knowing that you under
stand mean to be honest with you
Did any girl ever lave so queer
proposal. In way his words were
almost an insult, altho l knew he did
not intend them to be SO.
II am not afraid that any man will
not be square with me. Mr.. Belts. L
am fully capable of taking care of my
self I thank YOU for the honor you
would pay me, but 1 must say no, and
also ask you never to speak of this
again.
1 knew I spoke stilted1y. That. I
could not help. I disliked the man in
tensely, AID h knew it-at least
felt that lie did. I also felt he had no
right to approach me as he had; yet,
what could do? I had not encour-
aged him in any way; in fact l had
ignored him whenever possible and
had been coldly polite at other times.
Am / intruding?" sneering voice
asked as Miss Wilcox appeared in the
n n "
Not at SalI!'' I replied cordially, for
the first tine really glad of her COM
pany.
"f'H come in then"
1t was the noon hour, and because
of frightful thunder storm the office
| boy had brought us come sandwiches
and SO saved us the necessity of going
| out.
ct ain the kind that but in Jennie
remarked as she sat down. You sure
you weren't talking private matterssa
quite suret" l answered, Il have
nothing of private nature to discuss
with Mr.. Belts" Jennie looked re-
| lieved at my reply, but 1 felt sure she
more than half guessed what had hap
pened. And as by this time 1 realized
Belts as her own individual conquest,
did all could to let her see I was
pleased to have her come in.
After bit he left us alone
Hes stuck ION youi" Jennie. said,
motioning toward the retiring figure
"As long as Tam not fond of him I
don't see that 1t makes any difference
how he feels-any real difference"
You're a funny girl. / don't see
| how you can help liking him. Don't
| you think he is handsome2s And he
has to be smart to have his position
and get the salary he does. can't
understand how you can turn him
/ down. The last was said bit visit
| fully.
"He is handsome, Ashd as you say
must be snart-at vast in his line.
| But isn't it d good thing we don't all
admire the same sort of people? What
! hair pulling time we girls world
have if we all were in love with the
same man."
| Jennie laughed rather sheepishly.
! 1T guess l haven't been very nice to
| you," she said slowly. as If the words
you were setting your cap for him,
and-well-until> you came-he liked
me- He said he did anyway" the last
defl ne Srobably dId, and does. So
don't fret about him. As farsas I am
| concerned I would rather have your
frienship than anything he could do
rs that honest, Zena?"
| Eyes, jimmie
l. L was SURPRISED at Hef dOlAOiis nc
Ftears rushed to her eyes, and she said:
| IT have been so unhappy! You see
he promised to marry me. Then:
Now that know you are my friend.
and if he knows it too, perhaps he will
| keep his promise"
| His return to the room with work
| for Jennie saved me the necessity OF
| replying.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and zena have
a talk.)