The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-08
JUST A GIRL
BIZ JANE PHELPS
A MOTOR RIDE.
CHAPTER 139.

|
at is still early, not much after g.
| and a wonderful night. What de you
| think of spin along the shore drive %
Mr.. Claxton asked, looking not at me
| but at mother.
at would be delightful" she re-
| turned with enthusiasm, while Aunt
Susan looked her pleasure.
Then away we go."
I had not spoken, but he looked at
me and smiled, taking it for granted
I would not object when both mother
| and Aunt Susan were anxious to go.
| Come, then" 1 said to mother
who looked rather dubious about ieav-
ing the dinner table in such disar-
ray. I'VE can do the dishes when
we return, or in the morning"
Excuse mel didn't think''-Mr
Claxton was embarrassed. He had
evidently forgotten that we were poor
people, and did our own work.
1T is all right. Hurry, mother,
and get your wraps" 1 urged.
Mr. Claxton assisted mother and
Aunt Susan into to tonneau. me into
, the seat beside him. He was driving
his own car. AS we rode swiftly along
the shore of the lake, Aunt Susan's
enthusiasm knew no bounds. 1t was
her first view of the city at night And
she asked many questions, so that we
of happiness, of security as I looked at
the strong face of the man beside me
"a feeling of pride as 1 noted his
gentle way with aunt and mother.
How many employers would be so
kind ?" I asked myself when, after an
hour, we turned back toward home.
Now mother and Aunt Susan were
quietly happy, and we talked together
in low tones-not about our work,
but about music and the new plays.
He had box at the opera and said
he couldn't use it on certain night.
do you think your aunt and
mother would enjoy Mary Garden 2"
he asked. 81 am certain you will"
Mother is very fond of music, and
as to aunt, she will be entertained in
watching the house whether she cares
for the opera or not. I have not
heard Mary Garden, and so shall have
a double treat" I added rather prinly.
I wanted to thank him just as 1
would Mary and Tom when they did
something for me. but couldn't. There
was always a bit of Stiffness feeling
that he was my employer-altho I
knew he was also my friend.
There had been no word spoken
that showed he cared particularly for
me, but when he left US at the apart
ment 1 had a feeling that he still
thought of me as he once habitat
had it not been for what 1 had told
him of Kenneth Lawrence, he might
have shown me more plainly that I
was more to him than an ordinary
eInplOye.
1 blushed crimson at the thought,
thankful for the darkness that hid my
face from mother and Aunt Susan.
We cleared the table and tidied the
apartment, but all the time 1 had q
guilty feeling. I had been almost
untrue to Kenneth! I had not once
thought of him the entire evening, and
had allowed foolish thoughts of Frank
Claxton to enter my mind.
l told mother about the box at the
opera. She and aunt were both de-
lighted at the prospect of hearing Gar
den. Right there, late as it was
mother commenced to plan what
should wear. She and Aunt Susan
would both wear black, but I must
have something gay and girlish.
Wen look thru your trunk tomor-
row, Zena," mother said. Perhaps I
can fix up one of your old party
dresses. 1 have some good old lace,
you know
So they planned for me. the dears,
while I Thought more of the man
whose Kindness made it possible for
US to go, than I did of going. And
at the same time I had a remorseful
attitude toward the man who had gone
back to his ranch to wait for me-for
my answer.
Before I retired wrote Kenneth,
just a short note. I felt 1 owed it to
him after my long happy evening with
another man.
(Tomorrow-Aunt Susan's love let
terSO