The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-02
JUST A GIRL
Blu JANE PHELPS
a HAPPY DAY.
CHAPTER 81.

4 HAPPY DAY. q
CHAPTER 81.
7 shall always remember that first
day at our little shop with delight. We
were so wonderfully happy, that l felt
and that 1 never should be sad or
lonely again. For weeks 1 had scarcely
thought of Kenneth Lawrence. ! had
been so. wrapped up in my unhappy
thoughts. so discouraged, then so busy
getting the shop in order. that had
if not forgotten. at least ceased to
think of him.
But that first day, about O'Clock.
man came into the snop who re-
minded me so -forcibly of Kenneth,
that 1 could not get him out of my
mind and lay wide awake for hours
that night thinking of him. I recalled
many things he had said about work
and the pleasure it gave him. He had
been poor, .but not poor as 1 had been.
I smiled a bit sadly in~the dark as
wondered what he would think of me
as business woman-whether he
would laugh at me, or have faith in
me-
When I finally slept, I dreamed of
him. He was making pancakes frying
them on the griddle in our little
kitchen, while Mrs. Fagin looked On.
that could see him once more.
had written mother all about our
venture, and the morning mail brought
me a long letter:
Il have faith that you will sue
coed. Keep your business small,
dear. Do not try to Expand. anyway
for long time. W III are not strong
enough-neither. from what YOU
have told me, isfMary-to handle
anything big. Then, too, it takes
capital to run tbig business, and
the lack of it m cans woI ry.
Il am SO glad YOU moved, and that
you have so good a friend in Mrs.
Fagin. Try to repay her as you go
along by little kindnesses. You will
see opportunity if you look for it.
Aunt Susan is sending you box
of her wonderful preserves You
must ask big price for them be-
cause they are most delicious-the
sort city people never have.
Among my things I found some
napkins. I am sending them to you.
/ only kept the plainest ones We
had, thinking some day you and L
might keep house. But that is far
away still. so use them in your Two
Sisters Shop 1 do not like the idea
of paper napkins. Women dislike
them and men abominate them.
They might drive people away.
Il think constantly, dear, of nay
brave little girl, of the happy times
she had before dad left us. and of
her struggles now. ] wonder if you
tell me ALL Someway thought not
when / read your letter about the
shop 1t breathed such relief, such
hope of better things that l feared it
had been even harder for you than i
have thought-sheltered as I am.
Susan is an angel to me. I am
well cared for and as happy as can
be with dad on the other side, and
you SO far away. But perhaps some
day we can be together again. If
not. His will be done
There was more, but only about init
mate matters.
I read what mother had written
about the shop to Mrs. Fagin and
Mary
shes right about them napkins
Mary said The men used to wad
| them up into tight little balls. and the
women would try to use them but they
was always slippin' on the floor
we get them linen napkins"
Bring them home to be washed -
practical Mrs. Fagin broke in. They
will last twice as long"
MY won't it be nice to have them
preserves Mary exclaimed. smack
ing her lips. IN bet they're scrump-
| tiouS."
From what mother has said,
judge Aunt Susan is a great house
keeper She has fruit right on her
little place, so of course it is better
than the store fruit. How much shall
we charge. Mrs. Fagin?''
Wait until it comes. Perhaps II
will be N small jars. and you can sell
them as they are. Folks pay an awful
price for such stuff If it is nice"
But that seems like cheating our
regular customers" Mary spoke again.
Il think we should, ask so much for a
portion, and serve it with toast or thin
bread and butter"
Il agree with Mary told Mrs.
| Fasin. and she. too. finally said Mary
WIS r;~ht-that it would not be fair
- --p something very nice for just
q few.