The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-21
lust A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
AN INVITATION 10 ITNCHEON

I OE1SAE 1E<fS ~.
Several times when on my way to
I the little restaurant where I always
lunched, had seen Mr.. Betts-seem-
ingiy by accident. One day he stopped
me:
VIII you lunch NTH me today, Miss
Stewart"
Thank you. Mr.. Belts, but I never
lunch with anyone"
Il will take you to a nice place
which you will enjoy"
Thank you, but I cannot,"I an
swersd
81 wonder if you would have the
same reply for CIaxton." The sheer
was unmistakable. as he turned and
walked away.
time whenever recalled his remark.
Why should he bring Mr. CIaxton's
name into the matter? I knew I would
nave given my employer the same an
swer that I had his mana~--yet,
acknowledged it to myself V IN diff
ferent feeling. And I understood the
implication. But gradually it slipped
from my mind-probably because 1
never again encountered Mr.. Belts in
the vicinity of the cheap restaurant
where I lunched
I had been with Mr.. Claxton nearly
three months when he said to me:
You are capable now of filling Miss
Lee, g position. I shall return your as
sistant to the outer office where she
belongs. Your salary will be $25 a
week, and will increase as you prove
your worth"
You are sure am not supplanting
that. other girl-or Miss Wilcox? 1
would hate to think"
Your feeling toward the other girls
Is very commendable. But Miss Will
cox is Mr. Betts's stenographer. The
other girl borrowed until you were
capable of doing my work alone-un-
til you had the necessary speed. In
other ways you were capable from the
beginning
It am so Elad!' 7 exclaimed, unable
to conceal my delight, II am so happy.
yet should not like TO think my good
fortune meant someone's else misfor-
tune"
'T am called hard taskmaster'' He
smiled at me.
It am not afraid!' I laughed from
pure joy. Already there were plans
running thru my mind. I could live
on half of my salary or less, give
mother IS each week, and save some
thing toward the home that doomed
large in my mind. 1t was, as I had
said. almost too good to be true.
That night when I told Mary and
MRS Fagin they were delighted
had scarcely finished telling them
before Thomas Clancy came in. and I
had to repeat it all for his beaefit. or
hurt Mary's feelings. So I went thru
It all again
Mary and Tom insisted that I go TO
the motion pictures with them to cele-
brate my good luck. I much preferred
to remain quietly at home. but saw
would hurt their sensitive souls il
refused, so I consented.
We went to a medium priced house
near enough so that we could walk.
Carfare counted for Tom, and there
were three of us.
The picture, a clean society drama.
was very interesting and I was enjoy
ing Il thoro1y, when some one behind
me leaned over and said in a sneering
voice which I seemed to recognize, but
could not place:
ct wonder If you would have come
with me2" Then. Who's your swag
ger friend of course making fun of
Tom
turned a bit in my seat. and saw
the sneering face of Mr.. Belts. A dis
dainfu1 smile curled his lips. Mary
turned, saw, and understood some
thing disagreeable was happening.
What is it, Zena?"
''Sh-s," I replied frowning at her.
Shall 7 tell To n TO punch his
Hface?" knew she was thinking of
Joe and Mike. and what Tom had done
to them.
No. Mary. never mind now"
whispered leaning over so MIR. Belts
could not hear.
Mary turned deliberately around
and stared at him, then said loud
enough so he could easily hear:
II don't like his face much. If you
say so, We'll have Tom fix it for him."
was terribly en- barrassed. Mary
saw. was penitent, and whispered:
Il didn't mean anything. 1 thought
he was worrying YOU"
Tomorrow new plan for Tom and
Nary