The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-14
lust A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
A SUCCESSFUL PARTY.
CHAPTER 11s.

Mary had not yet come in. so I put
the money away, then hurried down to
help Mrs. Fagin. To my surprise, she
had asked every one of her roomers.
Its just a cold dinner 1 am givin'
because 1 amt no help what can dish
up and wait. But I guess there'll be
enough to eat
II should say so.' She had baked a
ham, had roasted beef, made salad,
and in a corner of the<kitchen there
stood a big freezer of ice cream.
''We'll have hot coffee, but that's
AL. Now you fix the table. Miss Zena.
Here's some sweet peas for the mid
die"
1 had the table nearly laid when
Mary came in, Tom following in a few
moments. But 1 had no time to tell
them of Mr.. Claxton's gift, as we had
Ito. hurry to dress.
But when we WIRE all ready, and
Mrs. Fagin, too, had changed to her
best black silk, l told them of the $50,
and asked them to make up their
minds what 1 should get with it.
Why don't you ask him to supper,
seem he's given you a present." Mrs.
Fasin asked Mary, so saving me the
task L had been a bit fearful that
Mary, or more likely, Tom, might feel
they would not care to have him-that
it might embarrass them
sure, Wen ask him. I'll write him
La note like I did Toms friend. Shall
II, zena?''
eyes, do! I am sure he will be de-
lighted te-tcome." I said nothing of
eur conversation. or that he had prac-
tically asked for an invitation. And
we had no time for further talk. as
the dinner guests were assembling in
the parlor.
in her grandest ''black silk" manner,
as she led us to the dining room.
The ham and beef had been sliced
on enormous platters, so we could all
sit down, including the hostess. Tom
and Mary were given the seats OF
honor at the head of the table. Tom
was blushing, but Mary looked proud
and happy.
other guests felicitated them in either
happy or comical remarks. and we all
ate ravenousfy of the good things MRS.
Fagin had provided. She urged every
one to have all they wanted, declar-
ing there was plenty more in the
Kitchen"
we toasted Mary and Tom in glasses
of sarsparilla and Tom made a little
speech thanking Mrs. Fagin and all
for their kindness. and good wishes.
| He was awfully embarrassed, but
went thru with it all right. Then
Mary made a little speech:
you have all been awful good to
us, and when we get all settled we
| want you to come and see US. Just
| let us know when to expect YOU else
we might not have anything in the
| house to eat
They all ciapped when Mary had
| finished. Then the ice cream was
served. After that we had coffee. and
| the dinner was over.
| Mrs. Fagin had us all return to the
| parlor and play games. Old-fashioned
| authors and checkers. At II o'clock
| the party broke up. The guests were
| all hard2working people who needed
their rest. But before we dispersed
someone proposed a vote of thanks to
Mrs. Fagin, who was tearfully af-
| fected as usual.
| I had enjoyed the evening immense
! ly 1t was SO different from any affair
I ever attended in my life. But there
| had been such a kindly spirit shown
| thru it all that l wondered when
was alone if people who did things on
| a much grander scale really got any
| more out of life than people whose
pleasures were simple and could be
| enjoyed but seldoma
| Mary and Tom decided to put the
money Mr.. Claxton had sent them into
| furniture. They had seen a dining
room set they liked, but felt they
could not afford. By adding the $50
they could have it.
| Then some day we'll ask him to
| Sunday dinner, and let him eat off the
| table" Mary declared. q
| Mr.. Claxton laughed heartily when
I repeated Mary's remark.
| IT shall hold her to that" he said,
/ then added: you said you were to
| live with them ?"
| Yes"
Then you will aIse be at that Sun
| day dinner"
| (Tomorrow-The >end of perfect
|