The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-02
JUST A GIRL
Bv JANE PHELPS
PROMISE ASKED AND MADE
CHAPTER 1874.

A PROMISE ASKED AND MADE.
CHAPTER 1874.
had given Frank Claxton my
promise that would not even be en-
gagged TO Kenneth Lawrence for six
months. I felt a strange lightness. a
relief. after 1 had done this, even tho
trembled at what lay before me.
I tried to encourage myself that I
never had really been engaged, never
really promised to marry Kenneth
Lawrence. He had taken everything
for granted, and in his whirlwind way
had borne me along with him. Yet
even SO, veAy naturally dreaded my
coming interview with him.
Take the rest of the day off, re-
main at home while this Mr.. Lawrence
is in town. Learn to know him-to
know yourself" Mr.. Claxton had said.
And I. troubled, uncertain, gladly took
him at his word for that day at least.
tell her everything, andfsee what she
thought of the ENHANCEMENT into
which I had allowed myself to be
drawn simply because of my dreams
of an ideal man, whom really
scarcely knew-as Mr.. Claxton had
said
How was I going to make this man
from the west understand? felt sure
my action was going to be utterly in
comprehensive to him. He would
probably think of me as fickle-a girl
who didn't know her own mind, II
nothing worse. I couldn't explain
that 1 had allowed myself to be swept
on by thoughts that 1 had had of him
for years; that I had been in love with
love, as typified by these thoughts,
rather than in love with him.
What is it, Zena? Something
happened, I know by your face" Mary
exclaimed as I walked into the PAN
cake shop, now practically deserted. 1
had purposely fingered so that might
find her at liberty to talk with me.
Yes, Mary, something has hap
pened. 1t is long story, dear. I wish
had told you much of it long ago."
then told her of my first meeting
with Kenneth Lawrence, of never hav-
ing seen <or heard of him. but con-
fessed that it had been thoughts of
myself think of any other man all the
years she had known me, and been
with me. ~
at always knew there was some
one" she interrupted. But go on"
We'll. you know what has hap
pened now-that he is here, and that
he expects me to go back with him."
"Ain't you going? I thought it was
all settled, altho it most broke my
heart, and Toms. too, to have you go
so far away from U.S. so soon after
your mother came, too
mo, am not going-not yet, at
any rate"
Il sure am glad. Bat what made
you change your mindW' u
Should 1 tell her of my promise to
Frank Claxton? decided / would
not felt myself blush as I thought
of the construction she-who always
had insisted that Mr.. sClaxtors fcared
60 -ztyt NV nT
did she know he had influenced me.
II feel that I don't know him well
enough-that he doesn't really know
me at ALL" explained rather lamely.
You see. Mary. 1 am not at all like
the Zena Stewart he knew so long ago.
Then 1 was gay. full of fun and life.
That is the Zena Stewart he thinks he
wants for a wife, not this drab Zena
whom he has known but two days. So
am going to send him away. I shall
not be engaged or anything for six
months. Then-perhaps, 1 don't know
IF he feels the same. and 1 do-I'll
marry him. We can write each other,
and he can come on. occasionally:
Wen get to know each other better"
did you tell Mr.. Claxton you were
going away"
yes. But he knows now that-I am
not-not for a while"
.Um-I don't suppose by any chance
you talked things over with him Z?
Nonsense! Don't always hint
things, Mary"
I was embarrassed. Mary had at
once suspected that Frank Claxton
had had something to do with my
change of mind. I must be careful
that no one else suspected it.
I'm glad you are going to wait,
Zena 1 don't believe you care enough
for that Lawrence to marry him. If
you do, it won't hurt him to wait six
months for you. And it won't hurt
you. either"
s"That's the way 1 feel about 1t,
Mary-now. I'm a coward, tho. L
dread to tell him. He.was so sure last
night Hardly wanted to give me a
week"
Don't bother about him. Think of
yourself. It's easy enough getting tied
to a man. It's the getting united that's
hard"
(Tomorrow-Zena tells Kenneth he
must waltz