The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-16
JUST A GIRL
Blu JANE PHELPS
NEW PLANS.


I had heard that girls were well
treated in one of the large department
stores, and determined to try my luck
at selling goods again if could secure
a place in that particular store. 1
was reading the advertisements in the
Help Wanted Column" when Mary
came in.
you amt goin' to leave are you,
Zena ?" she asked, a troubled look on
her face.
II have left, Mary"
what made you. Zena? I don't
know how I shall ever get on with you
away"
'iSeveraI things combined to make
me CO." / told her. Mr.. Watkins
attentions were making me uncom-
Portable" 1 would not tell her just
how far he had gone, or how his action
had made it, impossible for me to re-
main in the restaurant. I knew she
surmised there was something more;
but she asked no further questions.
sure I should break down if 1 went on.
I shall try to get work in some place
where I won't Nhave to lift anything
heavy. Those trays are killing for
girl unless she is very strong. But
don't think I am not sorry to leave
YOU. Mary. I don't think 1 could have
the courage were we not living here
together so I can see you every night"
perhaps you think it is going to be
nice for mel I am as tickled to have
you go as If I had dropped a flatiron
on my foot. What's the use of bein'
boss il you're lonesome" she
stopped suddenly-"Zena, you are sure
my being boss wasn't part to blame
for you going? If it was he can give
the job too some other girl. =
ooh, you deari" I exclaimed, half
laughing, half crying. II should just
love to be bossed by you! You'll make
a good one. Don't ever think so
meanly of me as that, Mary. I am just
as glad to see you get on as If it were
myself-more so, I really believe. I
do get so discouraged at times"
ut amt no wonder, a girl like you!
Why don't you go to bed now, then
rest till Monday? You look all tuck
cred out. No one amt going to give
a new girl a job if she looks sick
II believe you are right, Mary.
Altho don't know how to spare day
from work" 1t was Thursday night.
and I would have three whole days in
which to rest and fix my clothes.
You do what I tell you. Amt I a
boss now? I'm going to earn more,
too, and you can borrow all you want
to-"
mo, Mary. shall never borrow as
long as I can get work, or have any
thing on which 1 can raise penny.
It is a bad habit. and they are easily
learned, dad used to say"
81 guess your dad was pretty smart ="
''FIe was, Mary, smart, and good. I
never can hope to be like him, yet I
never have known anyone whom I so
wanted to resemble"
You suit me all right"
sometimes think that were it not
for a certain sense of humor I pos
sessed I wouldn't have been able to
endure my life at this time. But usu-
ally I could find something ludicrous
in every situation. Then, too, Mary
Murphy was an endless joy to me. Her
quaint views OF life, her slang, her way
Of expressing herself, often turned my
tears into laughter.
Friday remained in bed nearly all
day. A lassitude such as never be-
fore had felt, coerced me. knowing L
had no work. and having decided not
to look for any until Monday. relaxed
as had lot done in months.
About I arose and went out to buy
som ething for our supper. I had told
Mary I would get something good for
her. and cook It myself. It would be
change and I might not be able to
do it after I secured work.
had eaten nothing all day, and felt
a little weak. but never imagined I
would not be all right until our supper
was ready. But as I neared the house
with my bundles suddenly felt dizzy,
things turned black, and I knew no
more.
(Tomorrow-Robbed