The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
JUST A GIRL
BY JANE PHELPS
A NEW HOME.

/ moved over to Mary's on Tuesday
following the wedding. I was delight
ed with the change. altho hated to
leave Mrs Fagin. She wept buckets
as Mary said, and declared she never
would have roomers like us again.
It's like losing my own" She
moaned when / tried to comfort her.
Il shall come and see you Just as
often as can, and you will sometimes
take time to come to u.s." told her.
But nothing availed. And left her
weeping; 49,.
ry!" Mary said when told her how
hard it was to get away. "Workin'
folks can't give up much time to fret
tin you know
My room was so pretty. Everything
was inexpensive, but dainty and neat.
l had a white iron bed, a. small white
bureau, two chairs, a rag rug. and ruff
fled muslin curtains tied back with
wide rose ribbon that came on some
flowers Mr.. Claxton sent Mary.
1t was so sweet and clean, I fairly
reveled in it. / unpacked my trunk
and we stored it in the basemenA 1t
was the first time since / had left
New York that had not had trunk
in my room. l felt that was really
settled.
ut makes me so happy to have you
here. Zena," Mary said. And Tom
too. shall get Jealous of you. I'm
afraid. He thinks you are perfect"
who is perfect. me ~ Tom had Just
come in and had overheard the last
part of Marys remark.
Just like man, taking everything
nice to himself" Mary declared. mo
indeed, 1 was telling Zena that you
made me Jealous praising her.
"oh, that's it? Well, just because I
married the girl loved. doesn't make
me blind to the other girls. does it?"
he leased.
60 away with you, Tom Clancyi
It's the lucky man you are! A fine
wife, and the best girl friend in the
world in the same house with you.
There ant many got half SO much.
Has they, Zess2 %.
Don't ask me. 1 sha'n't settle your
quarrels."
Tom was SO proud and happy. Mary
SO content. that it was a perfect joy
to be with them. They were very
busy, and often talked over their
plans with me. They were making a
little money, enough to prove that Tom
had been right in leaving his position
to go into the shop. They were very
saving. and when they had a larger
place would/soon be making a good
/ living.
I'VE must save something. too"
Tenn said. II want to take out an
insurance for Mary, SO If anything
AapPHHS " me cilS Will nave d I6W
dollars"
Mary objected to the insurance, but
I agreed with Tom.
Il took care of myself before knew
you, / guess 1 could again." she had
declared,
That's just the reason l want to
make things easier for you. You've
always had it hard. Some day / hope
we will have enough so you can stay
home and let me run the shop"
That day is long way off. Tom"
I couldn't help but think of what
Mr.. Claxton had said about men want
ing their wives to ROMAN at home
girls who had been independent work
ing girls with their own pay envelopes
to do with as they pleased. repeated
the conversation to Mary and Tom
Mr.. Claxten is right" Tom said
after / had finished. when a women
stays at home and does the work of
the house she should be paid for IT. I
am glad you told me of that talk, Miss
Zena. l went forget It,"
Neither will II" declared Mary. the
irrepressible. Then. when he mar
ries you, zena. do you suppose he'll
divvy up?" y
II shall go straight back to Mrs.
Fagin's IL you talk such nonsensei" 7
told her But at the came time I won
dered II he did care a little. He had
been so very kind to me.
(To be continued.1