The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-18
JUST A GIRL
Bu JANE PHELPS
AE<-N "A Il AA1Es0 4 "A " ~ IN
CHAPTER So.

The sign of the three balls in front
of a ,>dinSy little shop down the street
was my destination when. one hour
after Mary left me. started out to
raise money so that 1 might live until
1 found something to do.
walked rapidly, my cheeks burn
ing like fire. 1 went past the shop,
around the block, then by again be-
fore 1 could summon up courage to
20 in Then when the man behind the
counter found l didn't want to buy.
but had something to sell, or upon
which I wanted to raise money, he
sent me out into the street again, tell
ing me to go to the entrance marked
for such as 1.
felt an almost insane desire to run
back to the boarding house, to put
as. great a distance as possible between
myself and that shop with the marc
faced man who had spoken SO roughly
TO me. But 1 forced myself to walk
calmly around to the designated en-
trance, first looking up and down the
street to be sure no one say me.
found myself in a tiny 'cubby-hole
sort of a place, with small table anu
a chair Upon opening the door to this
cubby-hole a bell had tinkled, and be
fore I had time to wonder what it
meant a man was asking what l
wanted.
IT want to pawn this" I stammered,
as I held up the ring.
How much do you want? II was
the same hook-nosed man 1 hao
spoken to out in front, and his harsh
voice took away all my courage.
All you will let me have
Tell me how much you want and
I'll see if we can let you have it," he
Can have $50? 1t cost great
deal more but
s.rn see" he interrupted so quickly
was tempted to call him back ana
ask for more.
Eyes. I can let you have $780, he
said shortly. Then he gave me a yell
low ticket and the money
almost ran from the PLACE ana
! back to the house. How hateful IL an
,was-pawning for small amounts the
| things one loved. gifts, 1 had often
read of such things. had heard ina
Deople were forced to part with their
nossessions in this way, but that |, my
| fathers daughter. would ever De 50
situated, was almost unbehevaple-
| That ni.xht when 1 told Mary what
7 had got for my ring. she sniffed;
Il guess you didn t ask for anywhere
near what he would have give you, OF
he wouldn't have been so awful quick
about it. But nevek mind, the interest
won't be so big. and you'll know better
next time" She took it for granted
| there
"Oh 1 never shall go there again -
"Oh. YES you will they all does when
they once starts. I never had nothing
tn nawn else 1 would have been theIe
too. But I know lots of girls that has.
and once they begin, they keep going.
I said no more, but 1 determined L
would not keep going'-that it was
the last time as well as the first l
would never have been obliged to go
had itN not been for my fainting and so
being robbed.
Come on, Mary. Wen go and have
a. first-class feed tonight" felt abso-
luteIy reckless. I had money in my
purse again. even if the purse was one
Of Mary's. We had steak, baked pQta-
toes and rice pudding real feast for
us Afterward we went to a motion
picture show in the neighborhood,
Mary's treat.
AS We left the show I heard a voice
that made me SILVER. at my elbow:
How'd you like the show" 1t was
Mike, and at his side Joe shambled
along.
pretended not to hear.
How'd you like the show, dearie ?"
he asked again, plueking my sleeve
Very we'll" ] answered so that he
would not do anything more to attrack
attention. Mary was back of me-two
or three people had crowded between
US so Sne naQ not nedTu nor seen
"Fll take you home. Where's your
pal?"
looked wildly about for Mary
Just then she saw Mike and Joe. and
pushed her way to my side. Mike kept
up a running talk until we reached the
lobby. There Joe Joined us, and also
talked about seeing us home" Mary
quickly turned to the doorman:
These two toughs are trying to git
acquainted with u.s." she told him
IN see they don't do it any more"
he said, taking them by the arm. This
is n decent place-we don't allow any
thing OF that kind.
(Tomorrow-Work again-for Eight
dollars)