The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-23
JUST A GIRL
n, TANE pHEf pc
By ZANE PHELPS
A BUSINESS WOMAN.
CHAPTER 152.

| CAAEIEfs i9H.eE
I applied myself closely to my work
was able to do so much in the bond
| department. I really enjoyed that
! part of my work so much that had il
not been for being with Mr.. Claxton
would have begrudged the time
spent IN his office taking his letters
all 1 now did for him.
My salary had been raised again.
and I had persuaded Aunt Susan to
remain longer with US. Mothey would
miss her so, and would be lonely all
day alone-mere SO than if Aunt never
| had come. 1 declared that couldn't
get along on mothers cooking, and
! teased dear mother bit because of
| my nonsense.
We went out more than we had be-
| fore my salary was raised. I insisted
that we should. Mother still grieved
| for dad. and had days of intense de-
preston. I hoped that by going out
more she might escape them, or. at
| least, not be so often unhappy.
your mother must have loved your
! father very dearly" aunt said one day.
/ IT never knew anyone to grieve so long
and so deeRlI"
'sThey were absolutely devoted to
each other" 1 told aunt. II wish you
had known dad. He was wonderful
man."
81 think he has wonderful daugh-
ter" she flattered.
I'm glad you think SO, for want
you to stay with us. Mother might
become morbid if she were alone too
much"
'I'll stay little while-I want to be
on hand to watch things"
I sort of wondered what she meant,
but my attention was called TO some
forgot all about it, and the nlisehev-
| Gus CLEAN in her eyo~. ~
The lightness and happiness I felt
when I finally decided not to marry
Kenneth Lawrence continued. sang
about the house aid even hummed in
| teased me because of my, good spirits,
yet L could see they were very glad 1
was SO contented. -
Tom had formed the company and
his chain of restaurants would soon be
an accomplished fact. The sites were
all selected, cooks engaged, etc, Mary
was at home. and as busy as could be
getting ready for an expected joy in
the family.
Tom is so happy that I can stay
at home" she told me. -l.f
.. My, that is all hear-womea at
home! Mother is as bad as the men.
What would all the extra women in
the world do If they had to stay at
home, starve? 1 think it is fine for
women to work, to learn business.
Then, too, they are needed, and in
many ways it would be hard to supply
their places. 1 don't see why women
shouldn't do almost any work a man
does if she will apply herself"
Il know how you feel. 1 did, too
do now to a certain extent. But it Is
Tom can take care of me, l think it
| is every wife's duty to help-ini every
way she GAN. 7 would have gone right
on with Tom If heahad needed me. But
he doesn't now, and think / can
make him happier by doing as he
wants me to than by earning money
perhaps. But it will seen strange
Ito you, Mary"
For a while, yes. But I'll get used
to it. You can. you know, get used to
almost anything. 1 loved to help Tom
in the shop;I shall love to help him
when I stay at home. / can make his
home pleasanter, give. it more atten-
place to sleep"
you are a wise little owl, Mary. I
guess you are right. Men love home
most of them" Then told her OF
Jennie Willcox's confidence-that she
was to marry Mr.. Belts, and that she
had been delighted that Mary was to
be at home, and so could visit her.
They should be happy. They have
known each other SO long" Mary re-
marked when I had finished.
| Yes, and Mary, I think that Jennie
will need you, need to learn a lot about
housekeeping and other things. She
lis a good girl, but awfully ignorant of
anything to do with a home. She is
| just a bit worried because of her In
competence" Jennie had talked very
freely with me about her apprea ching
marrisg e and her fears that she would
disappoint Mr.. Belts because of her
| lack of knowledge of how to cook, etc.
eth be glad to help her all can"
Mary said with her usual good nature.
T. I knew she meant it, and that Jen-
ME would be pleased when told her
of our conversation. But Mary was
always doing something for others-it
was the very breath of life to her.
( (Tomorrow-Kennet reply)