The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-24
JUST A GIRL
KENNETH's REPLY.
Blu JANE PHELPS


1t was really wonderful how easily
L had put Kenneth Lawrence out OF
my life. Wonderful, because for years
he had occupied so great place in my
thoughts. After a little we all ceased
talking of him, save only occasionally
one of us would casually mention his
name Just as we would that of any
other friend. He had written me in
reply to my letter:
Dear Zena: To say was aston
ished and grieved when 1 read your
letter. is putting>it mildly. had
believed you cared for me- at least
enough to let me make you care
more-as believe might
you are so sure that you could
not be happy with me that am not
going to annoy you with objections.
1 would have tried my best to make
you happy. I could have given you
a comfortable home-you and your
mother That you prefer to go on
working in an office proved to me,
more than anything you said, that
you do not love me, had built an
air castle, and it has fallen to
pieces. 1 will try and be content.
at was kind of your mother to
send me so dear a message. Tell
her so for me, and that l appreciate
it thoroIy, and hope some day TO
see you all once more.
IT shall not come to Chicago
why should I? If 1 had any hope
that I could make you change your
mind I would take the next train.
But your letter left me none. 1t
bore too plainly the mark OF final
ity.
You said we never had been
lovers-I don't quite understand.
Was there something you expected
me to do and be, and in when l
failed? I am not demonstrative. 1
did not think you were, or that you
would care for open marks or az
lection. 1 hope some day. Zena,
YOU will marry. And I sincerely
hope that your future will be happy
whether you do or not.
you know my views about wo-
men in business. I believe woman's
place is in the home. Feeling as
do. cannot understand your atti-
tude-that you prefer to slave IN
some mans office instead or having
a home of your own where you
could exercise your taste, and nave
things as you wanted them. with
servant or servants to wait upon
you"
There was little more, messages 70
Aunt Susan, and Tom and MARY
When I finished reading I exclaimed,
almost Historically:
Another man who thinks
woman's place is at home!" 1t seemed
as if every man 1 knew held the same
views. Yet they had fallen in love
with girls who worked, business girls
all of them. Why. if they SO approved
of home girls. did they seek business
girls for wives? I asked Mary that
question, and she said:
81 reckon they think we will be more
willing to save and help them than
girls who have never done anything OF
earned money"
Perhaps Mary was right. I am sure
I couldn't quite understand it.
Mother looked at me in rather a
peculiar way when she finished Ken
neth's letter. 1 had insisted she read
it.
what is it?" asked.
"You won't mind 1 am sure. dear
but it is certainly a queer sort of a let
ter for man in love to write"
"All his letters have been about like
it," 1 returned. II don't believe
mother, he was really in love with me
He liked me, and when he saw I had
him-I was a bit silly in
telling him how had thought of him
for years-he asked me to marry him
because he wanted a mistress for his
ranch, a good housekeeper. You re-
member when he said he would like
Aunt 10 WISH L Hill
that there was plenty on the ranch
for a capable woman to do. Then, too
mother, he never gave me even a
flower. Not that wanted gifts, but
wanted what the gift represented
thought of me-"
81 noticed that, too, Zena. It was
perhaps only houghtlessness, but such
things do not make for happiness. ]
don't mean that a man should spend
any amount of money for a girl, even
one he is to marry. But 1 feel as you
do, that small tokens occasionally show
only regard and thought. I think
anyway"
Il know so, mumsie, deari I have
felt SO happy ever since it was settled
I'll be a bachelor girl and live happy
ever after-with you"
(Tomorrow-Plans for a wedding.)