The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-04
JUST%A GIRL
BIZ JANE PHELPS
MEN AND MARRIAGE.
CHAPTER 81.

Even now I shudder when I think
OF those days in the restaurant: those
first days when alone I tried to keep
up my courage. I knew well that as
soon. as Mary came Il should bear
things better. yet felt terribly selfish
that I had said anything to her. If 1t
should turn out badly. and then Ro-
senstein should refuse to take her
back, I would feel SO guilty.
All day Sunday we washed and
ironed and cleaned. Without SAYING
very much. Mary seemed to realize
that her untidiness worried meAtfat
she would be more of a lady in my es-
timation if she were neat and tidy It
the same age. how eager she was to do
as I wanted her to. Just a hint was
enough to make her forswear the hab-
it's of her lifetime.
sfYou- know what real ladies do,
don't" she would say II know what
them kind what pretend to be and
amt do-lots of them-but when it
comes to the real thing I'm as foolish
as a baby. And Zena,P she would
add. II do want to be lady some time
more'n anythin' in the world. But till
you come along had a swell
chancSi"
Mrs. Lynch was as pleased as could
be when she found Mary was to work.
It's better for the both of yees,"
she declared. "One of yees can take
care of the other. Not sayin' but you
both be good girls either. But Chi
cago is Chicago. just loike any other
big city, and girls can't be too careful.
Just don't believe any shilly- shaIlin
men and you'll be all right. If 1
hadn't swallowed the things Joe Lynch
told me, hook, line and sinker, i
wouldn't bSa rentin' rooms in mesould
n
bhad, begorra! Like most of the Irish
-mesilf included-and it shure didn't
take him long to git round Kitty Hag-
gerty that's me. A few smooth words,
kiss and,> then the praste., Didn't
take long, but begorra the repentin'
has been long enough to make up.
The Good Book SEE, or did 1 hear it
somewhere. that thin what marrfes in
haste, reprints at their leisure. True it
is, livery world So look out, girls
Chicago men has mighty coaxin
ways"
Mary and I both laughed, while
assured her she need not worry about
either of us getting married just yet.
Its a troso I'll have before step
out" Mary declared, land a finesone,
too. 1 amt goin' to get married but
once, and I'm goin' to have ali the
trimmins, amt you, Zena %
Il never expect to get married,
Mary" Ireturned. Someway, l didn't
feel like laughing. The thought OF
Kenneth Lawrence flashed thru my
mind. What would he think of me
nova waitress in a cheap restaurant,
taking and Decent tips? a--=-
Sure you will some day." Mrs.
Lynch, who had fingered. broke in.
But take your time, Miss Zena. It's
awful to marry wrong"
After she left the room, Mary said:
| Did you mean that, Zena, about
not getting married."
Honest 11juf. don't you ever ex-
pect to marry no one--ever?" -
''No. Mary"
Did you have a fellow. what loved
you die, like they do. in stories ?"
"No-but Mary who would want to
marry poor, unhappy girl like me
Then, too, I have promised to take
care of mother-you know, to make
her home"
1--WE been thinkin a lot about that,
Zena. Don't it sort of fit in with what
Mrs Lynch told US about hurryin'. No
fellow wants to marry a whole ready
made family. I guess. But perhapA
some day Wen find a fellow what
might help-if. he loved us enough"
That's just it, Mary-IF he loved
US enough I guess not many young
men we are apt to meet would do that
not men we want to know"
beats all don't it, Zena, how they
act. Well. never mind. some day we'll
have good positions, then well show
them where they git off"
Come. run home and go to- bed"
said. pointing toward the hall. ere
member. we have been laundresses all
day; tomorrow we have to be walt
resses." 80
(Tomorrow-A rose)