The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-15
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
JENA ATTRACTS HORACE SAN
DERS.
CHAPTER IA.

CHAPTER IA.
I can't explain why, but 1 had al
most exactly the same little disap-
pointed feeling over Kenneth's letter as
l had over Jack Pryor's proposal. 1t
seemed that Kenneth took it altogeth-
er too coolly; that he should not have
so easily acquiesced to mothers
wishes.
Not that 1 really wanted him to
disobey mother, but 1 wanted him to
try and make hey willing; to write her
and TO object, orAsomething like that.
wasn't quite sure just what I wanted
him to do; but hazily 1 felt he was
not enough in love with me, altho l
didn't use the word love" even in
my thoughts--it was liked me
enough
OF course I gave mother my prom
Use. So 1 could not answer and tell
Kenneth how longingly 1 would wait
for his letter. or disagree with him
as to the time passing quickly. AT
10 a year looks like an eternity l
would be a little over 20 years old
before 1 could either receive letter
from him, or write him one. He
might find someone to marry before
that tiIne-I tormented myself with
this thought. Then he wouldn't want
to write me: 1t wouldn't be nice.
Oh, dear! How hard things were
when one was just girl!
1 read a book about this time in
which the heroine declared "theNworld
was finished for her; that life held no
further attra ction." l felt something
like that for a few days. Then Edith
Wren gave a dance-rather her moth
err did for her-and in the excitement
of a new dress and all, I forgot to
feel that way. The world wasn't fin
ished at ALI And life still held many
attractions.
No one can imagine how guilty 1
felt when 1 realized this. 1t was al
most as il l had in some. way been
unfaithful to Kenneth, when I knew
of no reason why should be faithful.
He never had told me he loved me,
never written any of the passionate
phrases the heroes of my favorite
novelist penned to the girls they cared
for. But I had that queer feeling OF
being unfaithful just the same.
At Edith's party l was introduced
to a man whom at first I thought was
too old to be interesting. But 1 soon
changed my mind, I have learned
since that the older they are. the
more interesting they are-some of
them-''They know how Edith re-
marked when We talked of Horace
Sanders-that was his name:
Hes probably had experience
enough I returned.
AZ read somewhere" Edith replied,
that it was only experience that
made people interesting l guess it, is
perfectly fascinating"
/ also found him fascinating-and
forgot that he was almost Is old as
father. He seemed to know just what
to do, and his manners were abso-
lutely perfect. He deferred to me in
such lovely way. also. 1t made me
feel quite important. I.snubbed Jack
Pryor dreadfully. Then he got sore
and called Mr.. Sanders cradle
stealer" and said other horrid things.
To pay him off, I was all the nicer to
Gregory Stuart after 1 had refused
to fox-trot with Jack.
Gregory wasn't much better. He,
too, sneered about Mr.. Sanders at
tention to me. Finally 1 became
peeved and told him to shut up. 1t
wasn't very ladylike and mother
would have been shocked. But |
had known Gregory all my life, and
I wasn't going to have him spoil all
my pleasure by grouching.
''Tll bet he knows to penny what
your fathers worth" Then. Hes
an old fortune hunter and everybody
knows it."
AREN'T you ashamed of yourself!
1 never met him until tonight. One
would think was planning to elope
with him to hear you and Jack talk
well, you wait and see if he does
~ rush you, Sdlu OEesolS.
my, hear the Oracle!" 1 snapped,
and then said I was tired. I would
sit out the rest of the dance rather
than be soolded and made miserable.
''fr Sanders is awfully taken with
you, Zena. We girls are all Jealous
as the dickens" Edith said. And
Claudia Sheppard, who came up just
in time 60 hear her. added:
'I should say we arei Here Jack
and Gregory are sullzing so they are
no fun because you've taken the most
attractive man in the room for your
self. oh, WELL Perhaps if Mr..
Sanders 1narries you, Jack and Greg
ory will condescend to look at u.s."
1t was silly. but I felt proud that
I could attract a man like Mr.. Sand
ers, and that the girls were jealous.
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