The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-02
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
A FOURSOME.
CHAPTER CVIII.

CHAPTER CVIII.
Mr. Claxton did not mention oul
talk in any way, until just as he was
leaving on Saturday. Then he said:
| 81 trust you and Mary will enjoy
your outing tomorrow night, Miss
Stewart. You see I haven't forgotten
He smiled pleasantly at me.
| I was absolutely happy as I hurried
home. I felt that my employer real
lied I had done no wrong-had nc
wish to do anything of which he, or
any other good man. would disap-
prove.
That evening I had my trunk pulled
into my room. I kept it in the hall
and Mary and and decided what we
should wear the next night. / would
| wear the same blue dress, and found
| a dainty chiffon waist for Mary. And
with some feathers and velvet I re-
but were SO happy in doing it that we
didn't mind.
'sI told Tom he could just stay away
tonight" Mary had said when 1 asked
her why he was not with her. Satur-
day nights they usually went to the
movies or somewhere, because since
they did not open the restaurant on
Sundays they could rest later in the
morning.
poor fellow." I replied in mock
sympathy.
"He had some things to do, too"
Mary went on after making face at
me. HE is as pleased as Puck be-
cause Mr.. Deland asked him. He said
ne needed some new collars and tie'
and would get them tonight. The
gents furnishing stores near ms
boarding place keep open Saturday
nights"
"oh. Mary. please don't say gents!
IT thought gents was the proper
caper!"
men, but never gents"
i've seen it lots of times on win
dows and signs"
II know, and have too. and won
dered at it. Either the people VINO
run the places are very ignorant OF
"I'll try not to say it again. l must
tell Tom what you just said"
This, was typical of Mary. she
wanted Tom to be as correct as pos
sible, without ever thinking of trying
to criticise him. She keenly regretted
her lack of education. was tnordinAte-
" proud when she said the right thing.
but correspondingly depressed II sne
failed to remember what / tod her.
1t kept me still often when otherwise
Il
| had improved wonderfully and was
far from being the uncouth girl she
was when first knew her. She never
wasted a minute. She read ana
studied indefatigably, whenever she
was not at her business or with rom pm;
by the time am as old as they tell
tpeople lived in the Bible, perhaps l
will know something" she had once
said to me. But knew she improved
daily. I saw It, and so told her
"If you wasn't truthful girl
should think you was trying to make
me feel good, Zena. But II l only I'M
prove a little, it will help"
"Helpl OF course it will. AND you
| have improved enormously"
"Ralf asImuch as that word sounds
will suit me-
She invariably ended a serious dis
cussion in some manner, usually
making me laugh.
"I always like you in blue, Zena,''
Tony said when he called for us the
next afternoon. had gone down 70
the parlor, and we were waiting for
Tom and Mar. 1T someway looks
| like you, and that dress you had on
the day ] met you first, didn't"
That was my work dress. Tony.
"Zena, do you really mean that you
are going on living this way?' He
, looked around at the dreary room.
L GOlHE 10 Keep away rum JOuA
friends? II you must work, why not
work in New York where those who
know you live7''
II tried it, Tony! Have you for
gotten 81 He flushed painfully.
What an ass l was that night, But
was so amazed to see you playing
maid I couldn't keep STILL"
playing maid. 1 WAS maid. And
compared to thot. my position with
Mr. CiaxtOn is heaven"
Before he could reply Tom and
Mary appeared. much to my relief
/ They were all smiles. and imm ediately
Tony showed his breeding by making
them feel at ease.
I'VE are going to the Blackstone
again." he announced. Then to Mary:
"Zena thought it a very nice place to
dine, and as she tells, me you haven't
been there, I thought she would not
mind going the second time. 1 en-
edged a table for four"
NO. indeed" I broke in st would
love it," 1 realized at once that Tony
had chosen the same place he had
taken me so that my friends might feel
he was not ashamed to take them
also.
Hes the real thing. zena," Mary
whispered as he and Tom were talk
ing apart
Yes. Mary. He is a real gentle
man.
(To be continuedD