The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-26
JUST A GIRL
A IRREGULAR FELLOW"
PTER. %
Bu JANE PHELPS

Jack Pryor haunted the house, and
together we ran around to the dan
SAINTS and matinees;. often insisted
we stop for Claudia or one of the
girls, and We had jolly times. You
see, Jack was dear to take one out.
Altho he had SO much money, he
never paraded it like some follows do.
He just seemed to take his money for
granted. just as he did his horses, his
cars, his home, and everything. There
was nothing plebeian in Jacks spend
ing.
! 1 recall he once called a fellow a
FOUNDER" because he Haunted his
cash, and Dragged about how much he
| tipped with waiter.
One day Jack and I were out in his
new car. 1t was big touring car,
and I had just said we were lost in
! it, and that we ought to call and ask
one of the girls to go along. Just
then I spied a poor, but spotlessly
| clean, woman standing on the curb.
She had a large bundle, and evidently
was waiting for the car.
Take her instead, Jack" said,
never believing he would do it. At
once he drove to the edge of the side
walk. He got out, and spoke to the
woman.
IT will take you home if you will
let me-" he said raising his hat. 1.-The
lady'-meaning me-"wishes you to
have a ride"
The woman looked dazed as she
| climbed into the tonneau. She had
not spoken. She laid her bundle upon
the seat beside her. and Jack once
more started the big car. We went
up the drive until we reached Grants
tomb. Then 1 turned and said:
| Where do you live? We aren't go
ing much farther"
ION Third avenue, ma'am.'
'But what street?'
| 'Thirty-fourth street, ma'am.'
/ "RHt whV didn't Won saw SOP What
did you get in for?" She had been
standing on the uptown side of the
street, and I had taken it for granted
she was going that way.
1T amt never sot in an auto before.
will walk back" She rose as if she
were going to step out.
| "Sit down. You'll get hurt" 1 ex-
claimed. while Jack turned the car.
shes going to sot right where she
is until she gets home" he said SO
low she couldn't hear, his eyes twink
ling. And she did. He took that
poor woman right up to her door with
just as much of flourish as he would
| had she been a queen. 1 never came
so near loving Jack Pryor as I did
that day.
1 am telling the story to prove that
his money hadn't entirely spoiled Jack
lit hadn't made a "bounder" of him
Dad laughed heartily when I told
him about it, and commended Jack,
/ Inc boy mas a BOOO ne
never would do things like that he
said, and mother added:
"Of course he wouldn't. I never
knew a boy who took his wealth, his
position, in a more sensible way. No
false airs, or trying to show off"
! I think mother made a mistake
praising Jack so much. If she had
fault with him occasionally and I had
/ been obliged to stand up for him, 1
am sure would have been more like
| " to have cared for him. 1t is queer
that we always like what we have to
fight for, isn't it?
That night everything was bright
| and happy in our home. Dad went
into the library soon after dinner, and
mother and l went to the opera. Dad
was still up when we got home, and
mother scolded him a little for sitting
up.
she leaned over and kissed him.
ut was lovely, dad! Caruso sang
"I am glad you enjoyed yourself,
dear" He kissed me goodnight. even
more tenderly than usual 1 thought.
/ He was very quiet at breakfast, read
his paper with an absorption unusual
to him. But he did not omit his after
breakfast visit to say goodbye to
mother, or his loving kiss for me and
the hope that would have a happy
day.
A I O'Clock they brought him home.
He had had a stroke in his office.
While trying to encourage US, the doc
tor looked very grave. Dad didn't
know u.s. 1t seemed as if my heart
would break.
(To be continued.)