The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-30
JUST A GIRL
Blu JANE PHELPS
EFFECTIVE ECONOMY.
CHAPTER 70


That morning I spent in the cellar
painting the chairs and tables-I
mean commencing them. didn't get
very much done-it was new work,
and was particular, and slow.
After luncheon Mrs. Fagin said:
IF you want to get that money I'll
go with you now"
She piloted me to n queer little old
man. / called him "a duck of a man"
l. In my thoughts. He was really kind,
and when Mrs. Fagin whispered some
thing to him. he nodded and smiled.
casting keen look at me at the same
time.
He gave me 5000 for my things. He
said 1 could have more if 1 needed it;
but that the interest would eat me
agreed with him. I was perfectly
satisfied. 1t seemed to me that we
could do wonders with 5000. 1 had
almost forgotten the time when I
spent that for dress;
Mrs. Fagin $50.
There's no hurry" she said.
Eyes, there is! You have made it
possible for US to try what we can
do, and should be looked after first
of ALL
''If you need it, all you have to do
is to ask for it. I am willing to help
you just at first. can't give you
the rent. I amt got money enough
to do that, but I could walt bit
for it"
81 shall be happier, and I am sure
Mary will. if you are paid
"AlI right I'll turn 1t over to the
agent then he can't get us out for
two months even If the pancakes are
a failure"
laughed heartily The idea that
-
thing but a success was amusing.
We-Mary. Mrs. Fagin and had
seriously discussed that word pan
cakes" Would griddlecakes be bet
ter, or would the old-fashioned name
be more taking. Mrs. Fagin de-
clared:
II have always called them pam
cakes, and I wouldn't know them by
any other name. They wouldn't taste
the same either. Of course If you girls
think you would get more trade"
Pancakes it isl" I interrupted.
"You bet it ISL Mary added, and
so it was settled.
Every morning worked in the eel
lar, painting. In the afternoon I
hemmed the cotton squares for the
tables-we couldn't afford linen-and
made little shades for the candles. I
had found two more sets of Candida
bra in a secondhand store on a back
street, that went nicely with those
Mrs. Fagin had given US. 1 had a
lovely yellow silk slip which 1 had
worn but once. and never expected
to have use for again, which I cut up
lace from another garment to trim
them. They were lovely, and I was
enormously proud of them.
I had bought some striped cotton
stuff with pale yellow roses scattered
over it. It was very cheap, but when
I = IL.
the door. and used in other ways
about the place, it was very effective.
II shall just burst If 1t is any pref
teri" Mary declared. when on Sunday
we took the stuff over to measure the
window. The agent had done all we
asked, and done it well. The wood
work was painted a lovely gray. with
two tiny soft yellow bands. The floor
was a dark gray, while the side walls
had been papered in the same color,
but much lighter in tone
TT is going to be pretty" I agreed.
Then, I'VE must have some little frilly
aprons of yellow, or with yellow bows
wear aprons when waiting on table"
"All right Make anything you
want to, but make mine good and
strong. After wearin' them heavy
things at the White Front Palace
probably shall tear the ones you make
the first time wear one" Mary was
a bit clumsy.
NO you won't! You'll be more
careful. We must have bungalow
aprons for the kitchen-ones that we
can slip on and off quickly"
"Kitcheni Where is it?" Mary was
standing at the door of the little closet,
transformed now into a kitchen so
tiny that one person, the table and
stove filled it completely.
Less room to keep clean. We can
take turns cooking"
(Tomorrow-The Two Sisters shop)