The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-25
JUST A GIRL
Blu JANE PHELPS
PLANS FOR A WEDDING.
Chapter 154.

Jennie Wilcox had left the office
and new girl was installed in her
place. She was to be married in a
month and had to do what she could
TO procure modest trousseau. Mother
helped her. 1t came about like this.
took Jennie home to dinner, and she
was bemoaning the fact that she had
no one to help her select even the little
her modest savings would allow her to
buy. Jennie was very independent,
and would accept nothing from Mr..
Belts
"You can buy me all you want to
after we are married. But no man,
not even you. is going to buy me
clothes as long as / sign myself
Miss" she had told him when he
urged that she let him help her.
Mother was so pleased with Jennies
independence that both she and Aunt
Susan did all they could for her in that
month preceding her marriage. Not
only did they shop with her, but Aunt
Susan gave her many recipes, and
showed her how to cook several plain
dishes. OF course, Jennie had to be
at our flat to do this, and the poor
girl was so grateful it was pitiful.
1T is almost like having a mother
of my own"-Jennie was an orphan
she declared one day. 81 just can't
help feeling happy when 1 am here"
She had told Mr.. Belts, and he was
delighted, and thanked me over and
| over for our kindness to her. He sent
mother lovely big basket of delicious
| fruit. and also wrote and thanked her
and Aunt Susan for what they had
| done for Jennie.
| 1t wasn't all one-sided by any means
It had been good for mother to have
Jennie to fuss over. She had forgotten,
| or had not time to be depressed. for
| that sentire month. She and Aunt
| Susan made several little dainty ar
| tic1es for Jennie, things beyond her
modest purse to buy ready made. OF
| course, we were all to see them mar
RED Then mother made her sugges-
ton to me. and 1 wondered had not
| thought of It myself.
How would you like to have Jen-
| ME married here ?" she asked.
Really. mother? Why, it would be
| just narvelous,--that is, if it won't
| Susan" l
| Indeed, it will not.'' Aunt Susan
| brbke in. 1.-The poor motherles. child.
| Why, can hardly keep from crying
she is SO grateful for every little thing.
A chicago rooming house isn't much
/ of a home, is it?"
No. indeed, it isn't. aunt tried
/ 1t long enough to know. And Mrs.
F'agtn was an exceptional landlady,
too"
I thought Jennie would make her
| self i'll she cried so terribly when
mother asked her If she would like to
be married in our little flat. and have
Just simple little breakfast. They
were to be married at II o'clock, and
take the 1880 train for New York.
1T woald be just like heaven" she
sobbed- 81 never thought / could be
married in a real home like other
girls"
Come, now, stop crying and we'll
make a list OF those we are to in
vite," I said as I tried to soothe her.
There's Tom and Mary, Mr.. Belts and
( you, and oh, you must have Bob''-the
office boy-''he never would forgive
you or Mr.. Belts either IL he wasn't
/ invited. And who else, Jennie?"
Mr.. Betts's brother. and one girl
friend who has been good to me ever
since | was old enough to work: And
Mr.. Claxton-we ought to ask him,
don't you think"
Yes, you must him, of course"
/ Aunt Susan broke in 81 think his
! feelings would be hurt If you didn't.
Then he seems to like my cooking. and
I want him to come. like that young
man.
"That settles ftr" I laughed, and
aunt was SO comical that Jennie
laughed with me. Then after hugging
! both mother and aunt until they
begged for mercy. We planned all the
! details Of the wedding, even going so
| far as to write the notes of invitation.
! We were a very happy. excited group
when Mr.. Belts came to take Jennie
home, and he had to be told all we
| had planned.
I thought for a moment he was go
| ing to cry, too. But he simply gulped
once or twice and said he didn't know
| how he was going to repay US for all
we were doing.
I'VE are amply paid in the JOY we
get out of Of" told him.
| (Tomorrow-The wedding.)
SAINT ste Marie. Mich.-Arthur Maxwell