The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-15
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
a sew Friend in Henry.

A New Friend in Henry.
Chapter %.
I worked steadily for an hour, until
1890 Then the boy, Henry, came in
and remarked in an off-hand way:
Mr.. Claxton said you could so to
lunch.''
Thank you. Henry. VIII you tell
me where can get my luncheon? I
don't know any of the places down
| town"
He looked very important. and very
| pleased
Miss Stewart, I smiled as I gave
| him MY name. had no intention of
being called Miss" by an office boy
| Miss Stewart" he repeated. Then,
building. then turn and half down
the block is nice quiet place. 1t
amt where most of the office girls
go. butt think you will like it,
Thank you, Henry, I am sure I
I I found the place easily clean.
The food was plain but good. and I
felt very grateful to Henry for sug-
gesting it. That had made a friend
of him by asking his advice, and then
| accepting it, I did not know until later.
Neither did I know that boys of his
age, IS or 16, are very. sensitive TO
that sort of thing.
Mr.. Claxton passed me in the street
as returned from my luncheon. He
was talking earnestly with another
man, but they both raised their hats,
and Mr.. Claxton smiled.
When 1 reached home that night
and was recounting the days expert
ences, I told Mary of that incident.
! Amt that what they ought to do"
she asked.
'Yes-I suppose So. But such cour-
tesies are not usual enough now for
me not to feel pleased over them
! In the AFTERNOON I was given some
circulars to fold and address. Mr..
C1axton would not return that day, so
! the clerk who brought the big package
of printed matter to me explained.
1 was rather glad. The unusual strain
Of writing his letters had tired me. I
was not at all strong yet and the ner-
vous dread of failing had given me a
slight headache. This work-folding
and addressing circulars, would be
easy.
so you're the new girl. What's
your name2 We might as well know
what to can each other as long as We
work in the same place."
| "Zena Stewart" replied, then
waited. She burst out laughing.
Il guess your mother got your name
out of novel Mines Jennie Wilcox.
I
II think it a very attractive name"
responded.
wei, l don'tl And I'm going to
change it soon if some other girl don't
tread on my toes in the meantime
I hadn't the slightest idea what she
meant or what to say. so I kept still.
| Il didn't see you at the restaurant
this noon"
Il went to a quiet little place Henry
recommended. 1t was really very
good
you mean you asked that kid
where to go? That's rich!" she added,
as nodded my head. I'VE all go TO
a big place where they have music. I
don't mean just here in this office, but
most of the girls that work for
brokers' We have pretty COED times.
III take you tomorrow if you like
mo, thank you, Miss Wilcox. I pre-
fer the quieter place. I have been
very i'll lately I added as I saw the
expression on her face at my refusal
of her. offer to introduce me TO her
crowd, land I get tired so easily that
| must rest at noon"
She made no reply, but could see
I had offended her.
rs that the kind of work you are
lgoinE to do here?" she asked.
"No-not entirely. am taking Miss
Bacon's place with Mr.. Claxton."
Gee, you must be some stenog to
step into her shoes! She was some
little secretary, beneVe me, ana they
piled the work on her-paid her for 1t,
itoo."
Il am not at all expert. 1t Is more
than kind in Mr.. CLAYTON TO give me
the place. It is my first office posi-
ton"
This was my first mistake. saw
by her face that something said had
shocked and displeased her, but what
could not imagine. I was enlightened
soon after she left me. I overheard
her tell a clerk in the outer office:
| That Miss Stewart, the new girl
never has worked in an office before,
and Mr.. Claxton passed me, all of US.
up to take her on. He must have met
her before and be-stuck on her."
The vulgarity made me blush. But
soon forgot it in my regret that 1
had told so much of my affairs. I
must learn to keep quiet If there was
jealousy among the employees. or l
might lose my place because of it.
| "Cati" Mary said when told her.
| CTomorrow-Miss Wilcox puts Zena
wise.)