The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-05
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
MARY-KEEPS ZENA UP.

There's Mr.. Clxton!" Mary ex-
claimed.
WHO'S he. if I may ask?" Tony
smiled at her evident excitement.
'Zena's boss He's awfully nice"
knew was blushing, altho l had
no reason to do so. Tony flashed &
| look at me before he said:
''Good-looking fellow"
"Ain't-isn't he 2" Mary had an in
tense admiration for Mr.. CLAYTON. He
had been to the shop q number of
times, had praised the pancakes un-
stintedly. and had eaten enormous
quantities of them, SO Mary said. AZ
Once more Tony darted his quick
glance in my direction. But we were
soon out of the theater, and L forgot
all about Mr.. misunderstanding but
how kind Tony had been, and what a
nice time he had given us He took us
home in a taxi, and after making me
promise to lunch with him Monday
he was to leave the city directly after
we said good night-that is, Mary
and 1 did. Tony had insisted upon
taking Tom, who lived some distance
away, home.
Now, wasn't that just fine in him,
to take Tom homer" Mary asked, her
face beaming.
Yes, twas thoughtful" conceded.
1 thought l never would get to bed,
Mary kept running across to my room,
to talk of something she remembered
in the play, to praise Tony, or to go
into ecstasies over the dinner and how
wonderful Tony had been TO US all.
THAT music was just grand, Zena.
1 wanted to dance all the time. just
couldn't keep my feet still and once
am most sure / stepped on Mr.. De-
lands toe under the table And Zena,
he thinks lot>of you He looked sort
of put out when I spoke of Mr.. Clax-
ton. What made you blush so?"
did l blush?" Mary was very OBJ
serving, very apt to jump at conclu-
sions. 1 did not wish her to get any
| notions about Mr.. Ciaxton-it might
be embarrassing for me.
81 should say you did! Mr.. Deland
noticed it too. I'll bet he asks you
about your boss when you lunch with
him tomorrow She kept quiet a
minute. Then, "Why don't you marry
Mr.. Deiand, Zena? Anyone with half
an eye can see he is dead in love with
you"
Nonsense! have known Tony De-
land all my life. Do please stop get
ting notions in that head of yours.
And do please go to bed. We Will both
| be dead tired in the morning If you
keep me up any longer"
Il don't care! 1 don't go to the
Blackstone to dinner every night, you
know. And don't go to the theater'
either. I can't sleep. am too excited
I'll bet he asks you to marry him be-
! fore he goes away"
L
room. But 1 too was wakeful. As
always, any talk of love or marriage
brought thoughts of Kenneth Law
renee. wondered where he was. If he
| had forgotten me. And in thoughts OF
him, the evening was forgotten. Tony
was forgotten. I did not remember
that 1 had seen Mr. Ciaxton. Yet
had no idea, scarcely a hope that
| ever would see Kenneth again.
The next day 1 met Tony as I hac
promised and he took me to luncheon
| at popular place in the business Sec
! ton. He talked of Mary and Tom,
and told me how much he had enjoyed
| them.
you gave them treat they never
will forget 1 replied, telling him how
Mary kept me up talking OF = - ana
| the good time she had.
Il am glad if they enjoyed them
selves" Then, ''Zena, you never
thought of ne in the old Gays-unles.
to think that 1 was - - foolish.
But-Zena, 1 have always cared,
| Could you-would you marry me?''
"Oh, Tony! What made your" I
| exclaimed. Il do like you so mucn.
1 have enjoyed being with you. But
! 1 don't care in that way, Cony, and i
never shall marry Ian until 1 can"
| you mean-you Gon't-love me?''
1 nodded.
| But I'd make you care, zena-. Ia
| be awfuily good to you" he said In
| his boyish, lovable way.
Il know Tony. But that isn't al;
girl wants. She needs to really care
for the man in the right way if she
marries him. / am so sorry" L felt as
| If had lost my friend, and was grew
ed. His answer reGs5ured me.
That's all right. Zena. Don't look
| so sad. Loves goes where it Is sent.
| they say: and If love for me wasn't
sent to YOU, why You can't helps It.
Well be jolly good friends just the
same"
Tony kissed me goodbye WHICH we
| left the restaurant. I had to wipe my
eyes more than once. Butt had not
lost my friend.
(Tomorrow-A I----.,.l Lunc'.e -n)s