The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-08
JUST GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
AN INTIMATE TALK.
CHAPTER ST

had never seen a typewriter, ex-
cept on desk in dads office and dis
played in store windows. But 1 fused
until succeeded in placing a sheet of
paper over the roll, and then I slowly
picked out words for half an hour.
Il shall soon learn5 1 know 1 shalt"
exclaimed with delight when mother
came in to see what L was doing, and
to caution me MOTTO overdo.
'I'n stop now" L told her, and
write for u book of instruction. But
shall learn to use the machine even
If I do not get one"
Il believe you will. am very proud
of you, Zena. Sometimes / feel as if
l had lost my little girl. I know SO
little of your life since dad left u.s."
said dad" as she had when he lived
But L have written you II
yes. 1 know, DEAR mother inter-
rupted, you have written me of your
business, the changes you have made.
But of your social life, your intimates,
know nothing"
1 felt like laughing and crying both.
Dear mother, Social life-when living
on the top floor of a cheap lodging
house; administration it took every
hour and every ounce of my strength,
to earn my living.
1 explained to her that aside from
Mary and Mrs. Fagin L practically
knew no one: then corrected myself
and spoke of Mr.. Pope, the real estate
agent, and told her of his kindness to
US, and of his appetite for pancakes.
you like him ~ mother asked
VERY much. But don't go to build
ing any air castles, mother. 1 like him
because he has been kind to us, and,
working in cheap restaurants, or even
in a little place of their own, don't
meet gentlemen often"
''But-don't you have any young
men friends? You used to be very
popular with the boys 1 can rcmem-
Der when Jack Proyer and Gregory
Stuart were both attentive. and that Mr..
Lawrence from California, too, seemed
very much taken with you. to sly
nothing of all the rest of the boys
the younger ones who used to trail to
the house for tea. and bring you bon
bons and flowers"
"Oh. mother dear, Don't you know
that 1 am as far removed from that
sort of thing as if I were dead? I was
butterfly girl then''-unconscious
used Kenneth Lawrcnce's name for
me-"and now 1 am just a working
girl"
you are still zena Stewart, aren't
your
Yes. mother dear. and liable to re-
main Zena Stewart until the end of the
chapter"
You mean-that you dop't want to
marry? Why. Zena. a woman is never
so happy as she is with a home and a
husband who loves her-and children.
too, if she is so fortunate as to have
them"
"oh. mother aren't you going pretty
fast?" 1 returned. laughing.
But I am serious dear. I want
you to marry. to have home
Don't worry about it. mother.
may find some one willing to- have me
in the distant future"
And you have met no one-no one
for whom you could care?"
1 felt myself flushing. as thoughts
of Kenneth Lawrence rushed over me.
and 1 realized L might have cared for
him-very much Fortunately mother
was not looking at me as she asked
the question, and 4 parted it by say
ing:
Never have met soul, mother.
since 1 left you that 1 have, or could
care about"
1T is too bad you didn't marry Jack
Pryor. You were very young. too
young, but your future would have
been safe with him-I think
you see, you only think mother
And 1 never cared for Jack-not that
way. 1 guess you'll have to make up
your mind to have a bachelor girl in
the family-for a time at least
IT don't like it, Zena. really dom"
Then: Have you ever heard from
that western fellow. Lawrence?"
Her question SO surprised me l
could not answer for moment Then
L said:
not to try to communicate with me
for a year, and he never could have
found US after that. even had he tried
which he probably didn't"
IT had forgotten-but recall did
ask him not to write to YOU" She
dismissed the subject as of no further
interest.
(Tomorrow-Loving greetings)