The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-18
JUST GIRL
ZENA GIVES HER CONFIDENCE.

BIZ JANE PHELPS

SI1<AI 3D.
was discouraged. I felt was not
doing well, was not earning the SO
Mr.. Claxton paid me. The knowledge
was humiliating. I must have shown
the struggle that was going on in my
mind. the feeling that I should give
up the place I so longed to keep, be-
cause Mr.. Claxton said to me:
Are you feeling1ll Miss STEWART"
mo, not at ALL
'"rhen you are worrying. Can help
your"
1 told him then just how felt
worth little to him at present, and that
I had almost decided to tell him
would go.
but why, if I am satisfied" Then
without waiting for an answer. he
said: fare you willing to tell-me some
thing of yourself. Miss Stewart? AS
I told you when you first came. it is
easily seen you do not belong to the
ordinary working girls class"
1T would be better if 1 did" I re-
turned bitterly. Then because of his
kindness and the way he spoke to me.
told my story just as you have been
reading it. For the first time since I
lost dad, I talked freely with a man.
told him of my early life. OF my
home, and social standing. He asked
many questions about dad, and told
him of the horror of his sudden pass
ing, and how it had unnerved mother.
Then told of leaving New York, COM
ing to Chicago where knew no one.
and of the struggle to live. I said
nothing of my work, and my insults in
the department store. 1t was not ne
cessary. But told him In detail of
our little shop, its inception, and how
well it was doing.
"May I have the pleasure of going
there for dinnerwith you some night ?"
ne asked with a smile.>- "1 am as de-
voted to pancakes as that Mr.. Pope
you talk about"
MARY would be delighted" I re-
piled. Then in answer to some more
questions I went on with my story. =
When I finished he smiled, and said
dryly:
your story is a good deal as mag
ined 1t, Miss Stewart. 1 want to help
you, but bow?'' Finally he raised his
eyes to mine and said: 81 shall keep
you and give you an assistant. That
will give you time to do your work
slowly. and well. You are extremely
careful. which is a great asset. for in
this bushes a mistake sometimes costs
dearly"
"But then you cannot afford to pay
me-" I exclaimed without thinking.
then biushed furiously. Naturally he
wouldn't pay me very much if he had
to have an assistant to help me do the
work I should be able to do unassisted.
How much does Mr.. Belts pay
your"
Ten dollars a week.
An indrawn breath showed his as
tonishment--I thought it was because
he considered it too much.
Il am afraid he took advantage of
your inexperience. Miss Baker drew
$25."
Mr.. Belts. He gave me all I asked
for and all am WORTH
Very well if it simplifies matters
for you. I shall give you S12 and your
assistant $40. Then shall be making
money-savilg it, rather. We have a
girl in the other office who is very
quick, but who is not worth a large
which appears to be incurable. But If
YOU will watch her and go over what
she does. think you will get along
fam ously together"
When I told Mary she was agape
with wonder and delight.
There ARE good men in the world
Mary. many of them" told her
HE sure is a peachi Never mind
the others And the way things is
going 1 guess Thomas and me will
have to git married sooner than we
planned so you can have a decent
place to live. We are goin' to take
a nice little flat right near the shop.
They are new, not quite finished. and
dandyi"
You mean you will let me live with
you, Nary" asked. 1t was too good
to befrue.
We'll. I'd like to catch~you Twin
anywhere else Tho I bet have a
fracas with Mrs. Fagin when she
knows about it."
"Oh. Mary! That will be wonder
full"
Amt your money Just as good for
Tom and me as it is for Mrs. Fagin, -
she asked gruffiy, while I wept for
pure joy. It was like Mary to disguise
kind act by her seeming gruffness.
ITO be continued.)