The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-18
The Woman
He Married
BY JANE PHELPS
PLANS FOR A LUNCHEON.
CHAPTER IS.

CHAPTER IS.
when shall you ask Mrs. Stowell to
luncheon" Clara asked.
"Oh, next week, I guess" Dick
would get his pay then and 1 would
have her before it was gone. 1 did
not-tell Clara this, however. She was
so carelessly Indifferent about money
to have to- apologize or explain things
to her. Where shall we go-not too
expensive a placer"
There isn't more than five or ten
cents difference in a good restaurant
and in one of the hotels Go to the
Vanderbilt or the Waldorf. 1t is a
little more select. don't you think ~
"Yes-perhaps. You will have to
help me with the menu, Clara. / never
have ordered in any public place. I
never have been out to eat in New
York without Dick And he orders so
beautifully"
well, I've been out a good deal,
Nan, and 1 guess between us we can
get along all right 1 think it is sweet
of you to ask me, too. / shall be de-
lighted to know Mrs. .Stoweh. If she
wasn't so fat she would be stunning"
A few days after this conversation
1 telephoned Mrs. Stowell.
"Oh. that will be delightful!'' she
replied when told her 1 wanted her
to lunch with me the next day. and
meet a friend. II was so sorry you
were out the last time 1 called" Then
once again: Thank you so much for
the luncheon invitations what time p"
"One o'clock at the Waldorf"
knew Clara favored the Vanderbilt but
had been to the Waldorf once or
twice with Dick and it seemed as if I
would be less strange there. ST am so
glad you are disengaged,'' 1 added.
had not acknowledged even to myself
that I had vaguely hoped she might
have a PREVIOUS engagement, so I
might have the credit of inviting her
without the expense of the entertain
ment.
I decided not to tell Dick about the
luncheon. 1 would tell him after it
was all over. I had a feeling that he
would not approve, that he would want
me to entertain her at the house.
had determined not to do it, had ir-
vited her to the Waldorf, so the invita-
ton would have to stand, but he might
say something to spoil my good time
ana make me uncomfortable, so
would wait. :.
L wrote a note to Mrs Dolly. and
slipped down and put it under her door
while Dick was playing with the baby.
She would have to come and stay-with
Junior and unless she knew in adj
vance she was apt to be out when I
needed her.
felt rather excited all the evening
thinking about it. Dick rallied me
once or twice upon my absent-minded
answers when he spoke, and wanted to
know what was on my mind.
"Oh, nothing. 1 guess I am tired"
evaded
Poor kid! Some day you won't
have to work so hard hope. You
won't if l can prevent"
I shall unless you earn more than
you do now
"Oh, don't feel so sure about that.
THESE awful prices will have to come
down. People are talking deflation
already. Some day our dollar will buy
almost a dollars worth again"
Il sincerely hope So"
BY the way, Nan, you were saying
something about wanting to have the
Stowells up. why not ask them to
pickup supper Saturday night? You
make such good things in the chatting
dish, and they would enjoy them,
know. People who have a raft of
servants and live as they do always
enjoy some unconventional affair"
No, indeed I wouldn't ask them
here for worlds. When we move into
"a decent apartment where people don't
get all tired out elm bling UP to see us
we may invite them. 1t is bad enough
to have the others here, the people
in our own circumstances. Even they,
most of them, live in elevator apart
ments."
I'm sorry you feel so about your
home. Nan. 1t is the best 1 can do
for you. and think it is a really coy
little place. Don't be ashamed of it,
dear. 1t isn't necessary. Then, too,
you always keep It like a new pin.
You're a dandy housekeeper.,'
"Of course I keep my home clean"
bridled at once. I was really proud
of my housekeeping abilities. Mother
had been a good teacher and there
was little pertaining to homework that
was not familiar with, and knew how
to do.
Think It over. dear. and IL you de-
eide to ask them, III telephone them
from the office. Save cents, you
know"
Was Dick growing stingy and small.
I wondered. after he had gone-savinG
cents by using the office telephone.
ITO he continued