The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-07
IUST. A Girl
BY JANE PHELPS
AN INVITATION.



As the days passed realized that
Mary was right had" Harold
Moore. to use her expression.
GraduailYHhe commenced to talk to
me. Just few words at first; then,
If I were not busy. he loitered a little
and told me bit about himself His
name at first, and that he was an as
sistant secretary in. the Young Mems
Christian Association. didn't know
much about such positions, but was
sure it didn't pay very wefl. He looked
poor.
He sskedsme no questions. I liked
him for that. But also told him my
name, and where I lived5< 1t seemed
he had a room near. and asked if he
might sometimes walk home with me.
L often have to go back to the Of
flee. but when $sdo motif you would
allow me I would like to walk home
with you"
But / never walk" exclaimed.
'Yt is too far am too tired"
''Of course-I should have known
you couldn't walk such a distance af-
ter being on your feet all day. 1 al
ways walk. because I get no exercise
at all. But perhaps on Sunday
might call for you and we might"
81 would enjoy that" I interrupted,
sorry for him because he seemedl SO
embarrassed. THAT is. 1 would enjoy
often on Sunday. 1t is the only day I
have to attend to little necessary
things-washing and mending," I add
ed not wanting him to think I was
making excuses.
II know. do those things on Sun
day. too"
Sounds terribly heathenish, doesn't
iaI 14s ffy--
laughing little. Il had an idea that
7. u. c. A. young men were very re-
ligious."
zone can't be so very/religious when
one is poor" he replied, at which We
both laughed, altho am sure neither
was nothing to laugh at. I had begun
to. think it was the greatest tragedy in
the world.
Dad used to say the keeping of the
Golden Rules meant real religion" 1
said more to myself than to him.
f''I try to do that Tell me about
your friend" he nodded toward Mary
watching US.
''she's a dear! don't know what I
should have done without hertz re-
piled enthusiastically, telling him more
than I meant to of myself by my tone
He looked sharply at me for mo-
ment, but made no reply. When he
rose from the table he said:
'I will call for you Sunday at 4
o'clock If that is a convenient hour"
THAT will suit perfectly. I shall
have finished my work by that time.
Don't WORK too hard, so that you
will not enjoy our walk" he admop-
1 ished
Z Just why that thoughtful little
speech should make me think of Ken
meth Lawrence, and bring lump in
! L.
| But suddenly Harold Moore was
bIotted out and Kenneth stood in his
/ place. 1t was Kenneth Lawrence
\ who had been thoughtful for me. It
was Kennetb's strong lean face saw;
! Kenneth's 1.-THE, vigorous body, in
4 stead of the pale faced anaemic look
ing Harold Moore-thin almost TO
emaciation. And~I felt all suddenly
like crying out to him to come and
take me away from all that 1 hated,
from this cold-hearted city which like
| all big cities seemed so hard toward
/ those who most needed kindness.
Then, as always now when I thought
| of Kenneth Lawrence in this way, the
| hot blood dyed my cheeks. and 1 felt
a sort of shame as If I had given my
I self unasked--unwanted
/ / had thought at times that had
! Kenneth cared to find me he would
have done so. I little realized that
1.-THE breaking up of our home, leaving
no address, then my moving to chi
fcago without giving Claudia or any OF
! those who might inform him any idea
! OF my whereabouts, would make locat-
ling me almost impossible Had mother
not required that promise from him
] had we been allowed to correspond
There my thoughts invariably halted
had nothing to do with ''wha,
nipTt have been" 1t was all I could
do TO manage the present.
(To be continued.)