The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-25
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
MARY AND TOM GAIN A FRIEND
CHAPTER CT.

CHAPTER VI.
A few days afterward, Mary came
home very much excited.
Eve got something to tell you to-
night. Zena, that'll make you open
your eyes"
Haven't run away and married
Tom, have you?'' I asked.
Nothing like that! Your boss came
there before. but L didn't know him.
My, bat he's a swell. And
How did you know it was Mr..
Claxton ?"
He told me-. Introduced himself
That other man. Belts, was with him,
too"
Really! Was Tom there?"
Yes, and that was, the best part of
it. Tom told me a gentleman had
asked for me. 1 went out. and that
boss of yours motioned me- There
was only one or two others in the
shop. 1 went over to the table, and
he said,
Is this Miss Murphy told him
was. Then he introduced himself
and the other fellow. that one who
was at the picture show. You'd a
thought 1 was the Queen of England
or some other high and mighty person
the way he talked. Then when Tom
came thru, he stopped him and with
out waiting for me to introduce him.
he says: This is my friend, Mr..
Thomas Clancy. Mr.. Belts. 1 hear
that you are soon to be Mrs. Clancy.
we are to be married in about a
MONTH" Tom answers. just as quiet
like.
Il hope you may be very happy"
your boss says. but you should have
seen that man Belts When your Mr..
Claxton introduced him to Tom, his
face got awfully red and he looked so
funny. He never spoke, but your boss
went right on talkin' to Tom and me,
just as II we was real old friends. I'll
bet You told him a lot about u.s."
Yes, 1 did tell him some things. I
had a little unpleasantness at the Of
flee. lost my temper. and made Mr.
Belts angry. and
1T was about that night at the pic
ture show?'
Yes. I then told Mr.. Claxton who
was with, and how 1 liked both you
and Tom. He asked me some aues-
tons, and I told him that you were
going to be married, and that Tom
had given up his clerkship, and was
going to help you in the restaurant
You aren't offended because I told it,
are you?"
Not on your life! A few customers
like him and we could retire in a year
or two. He eat everything in the
place, most. That other man, Belts,
didn't seem to be hungry. tho. He
JuSL eat.
1 can imagine he wasn't very COM
Portable" I was unwilling Mary
should know Tom had been spoken of
slurringly. but she must have mis-
trusted it, because she said:
He amt as much of a gentleman
of a big office "
Indeed he is mott" I agreed. then
changed the subject But later Mary
again referred to it by saying:
He called Tom his friend. zena.
Wasn't that nice of him %
He is always nice, Mary. 1 think
he is what dad would call a true gem
tleman."
The next day Mr.. Claxton said to
me;
trouble with Belts, Miss Stewart. But
if you should, please tell me at once.
cannot have any of the young ladies
in the office annoyed"
1 promised to report any trouble.
but felt less embarrassment because
Of his remark. He had spoken as if
it might happen to any of the other
girls. How tactful he was!
IT predict your friends will make
great success of that restaurant Miss
Murphy is very bright, and her
Thomas is just the sort to help her.
Yes, think so, too. I have called
him her balance wheel ever since
knew him"
6ledSe let me KNOW II can nelp
them in any way. I mean aside from
eating their delicious griddle cakes
no. pancakes" he corrected himself.
when young people of their class are
ambitious enough to start out for them
selves, they deserve all praise"
Thank you Mr.. Claxton. I'll tell
Mary and Tom. They will surely APP
preciate your interest"
How kind he wasi
! (Tomorrow-An unusual happening.)