The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-17
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
A LUNCHEON FATHER DIsAP-
PROVED.

CHAPTER 10.
We had lunch at Delmonicos.
Mother had made me promise only to
lunch at certain places unless she were
along. She didn't mean with men but
with the girls. She didn't believe in
girls lunching unchaperoned when
there was a man along. But I didn't
see how I could very well refuse when
Claudia had accepted so enthusiasts
tically Anyway Mr.. Sanders was so
old, SO much older than we were, she
, could not possibly object. So I went
along with an easy conscience.
1 guess experience does count. Mr..
Sanders ordered the most delicious
what liked. The walters all seemed
to know him, and were most assiduous
in their attentions 1t was a different
attention than walters gave the young
men, even men like Jack Pryor who
gave scandalous sums as tips. 1t v as
as if they respected Mr.. Sanders
judgment.
We had a lovely time. He bought
us both great punches of violets and
when we had finished and were
+, strolling down the avenue, he bought
us each a box of bon-bons. Then he
thanked US so nicely for giving hun
our time. You would naturally have
| thought we would have been the ones
to say thank you" not he. But he
made us feel we had done him real
favor.
| When 1 spoke of it after we had left
him. Claudia said:
II suppose he's had lots of practice"
What do you mean?"
I'm pleasing girls. He must be IS
years old. and he hasn't married yet,
and is always with some woman or
girl. 1 guess he has had plenty of
chances to learn what pleases us"
Il think he is lovely!" I enthused.
so do To-
1 told mother we lunched with Mr..
Sanders. of course. At first she didn't
look one bit pleased. But when 1 told
her all about it, she laughed and said /:
Il expect You and Claudia seemed
Ike two little girls to him. But I
would rather you didn't do it again"
Dad frowned when he heard about
| it.
Hes altogether too old for you.
Zena. Stick to the boys when YOU
want an escort. 1 don't like the idea
! of man as old as Sanders running
| around with two children like you
and Claudia. I am surefMr. Sheppard
would feel just as 1 do"
| 1t was so unusual for Dad to ex-
| press himself SO strongly that I was
puzzled and asked him if he had any,
thing against Mr.. Sanders.
Don't you like him?" I queried.
when he told me he had nothing at
all against him.
| Yes, Sanders is all right. But he's
too old for you. AS I said. stick to
! the boys" I was sure by Dads voice
| there was some reason he wouldn't ex-
plain to me, but I said no more. was
| sorry I couldn't go again-if Mr.. San
| ders asked me. We had had such a
! nice time.
| I told Claudia what Dad had said.
My father was real cross about it.
too" she confessed. He said almost
exactly what your father did, that Mr.
| Sanders was too old for me, and that
| he didn't like 1t. And he made me
! promise wouldn't go anywhere with
him again"
II guess they have something
+ against him Maybe he has been
| awfully gay" I suggested, almost
| whispering as the thought came.
That might be so. Perhaps he has
| they know it. 1t would be just like
Dad to keep it to himself. 1 think
we are old enough to be told WHY
We shouldn't do things, don't you,
Zena?"
Indeed I do" Ny answer was
| had given the subject a single thought.
Il shall be 20 in 10 months"
And I in seven"
| Twenty is old enough to know
| things" I unused.
Il think 10 is. I'll bet lots of girls
younger than we are. are a great deal
wiser in many ways"
Never mind, Claudia" it was
mothers laughing voice, you will
have plenty of time to grow wiser.
Don't despair"
(Tomorrow-Breakfast chats.)