The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-17

TOMS AND MARYs PROBLEM.
BY JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 147.


A week passed. ] had not answered
kenneths letter. I had, it is true,
written three or four, but torn them
up as soon as finished. In one 1
begged for more time. 1 felt 1 could
not go with him, but neither could14
tear from my heart and thoughts the
ideal 1 had kept all the hard years of
my life-my dreams of him-the only
man L had met for whom I had
thought I could care.
Then, too, I had none of that feeling
of-sem ething very closely resembling
infeFiority that had with Frank C1ax-
ton--a feeling almost impossible to
overcome because of cur relations
Kenneth was a working man, ranch
man. There was no question of equal
ity, no social questions to worry me.
But-did I, now that L had met him
again, grown to know him better, care
enough for him to leave my work
which 1 had learned to love; my
friends, Tom and Mary; my employer
who was so kind to me-and give my
self to him?
How 1 wished that dad were alive,
that I might ask him what to do. But
II must decided That kept me awake
nights. 1t made me uneasy at all
times, even when I should have been
entirely engrossed with my work.
What in the world is the matter
with YOU, Zena2" Mary asked. / had
telephoned mother I would stop at the
shop and have dinner with Tom and
Mary. and we had awaited until the
rush was over and could talk
Il don't know, Mary. I wish did"
well, do"
"Then tell me,.' I said laughingly.
You're in lovei Don't 1 know the
symptoms? Go away, Tom-you amt
supposed to hear this
Il won't go away! I'm just as inter
ested in Miss Zena as you are" he
answered, flashing look at me that
asked as plainly as words if 1 wished
him to leave us. L
THAT'S right, Tom. don't let her boss
you You stay right here"
? / had no idea of putting my problem
felt better for being with them. They
really loved me. that l knew. And
they never questioned, never intruded.
I sometimes wished / were more like
Mary-that I had never known any
thing different She was so happy,
so perfectly contented, that 1t was
Joy to be with her and to watch her.
And Tom! He adored her. yet did
not spoil her-which he might easily
have done. Mary was volatile, and
at times had to be held with rather
tight rein, had found that out when
we lived at Mrs. Fagin's. While her
ideas of right and wrong were clearly
defined. convention nleantsnothing at
all to her. But Tom. like most men,
was jealous of appearances. His
masterfnl manner at times. SO differ
emit from his ordinary loving indul-
gence, was amusing to me, out quite
effective as far as Mary was con-
eerned.
when are you going to marry that
Mr. Lawrence?" Mary whispered Just
T don't know. Mary. Perhaps
never"
/ 1 was astonished at the look of
giadness in Mary's. face.
{ ut would be awful to have you go
way eff there, zena," wassall she SAID,
however
"There, no secrets." Tom broke IN.
Come, Mary. We'll take Miss 2zena
home" -319 -
AS we walked the five or six blocks
Tom explained to me how the busi-
ness was going, and several ideas he
had for increasing it. He had been
approached by some men with capital
t'sPancake Sheps,"-men who had
watched the growth ef the tiny place
Mary and he had opened. and had
seen The success they had made of the
business.
I II couldn't think of advising you
Tom. L WISH c9uiQs tolu HiIh
why don't you talk to Mr.. Belts, the
mana ger of the White Front Cafes, or
Ito Mr.. Claxton. am sure he would
be glad to advise you"
do you really think so. Miss Zena?
had thought of him, but hated to
act fresh" 4
! : s'If YOU want me to, I'll ask him If
he will see YOU
THANK you, Miss zena. wish you
would"
! (Tomorrow-Anothe dinner with
Frank Claxton.)