The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-24
lust A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
A NEW FRIEND.
CHAPTER 4s.


There's a new girl moved in," Mrs.
Lynch informed me, as she rested 8
moment from her climb. he was ter
ribly fat, and usually 1t made me smile
to see how she blew and puffed whel
climbing the stairs. But now had no
wish to smile, even>tho she looked ir-
resistfbly funny sitting on the edge of
the chair, blowing like a porpoise.
"Yes?" I had no interest in new
girls. was too depressed. too heart
broken over being considered thief to
care about anything.
She looks sort of lonesome, the
poor thing. I thought-maybe you'd
speak to her a bit, and cheer her up.
II couldn't cheer anyone today. Mrs.
Lynch, but will see her tomorrow. -
Yet after Mrs Lynch had left me,
and I had finished the tea and toast,
the thought of the new girl kept re-
curing to me. Perhaps she was lonely
and discouraged too. No one but a
poor working girl-or one out of work
would ever choose Mrs. Lynch's as a
home.
Late in the afternoon I got up and
dressed. / heard sounds indicative of
settling across the hall, and I tapped
on the door.
Come int" A loud hearty sort Of
a voice called.
pushed the door open and went in.
81 am Zena Stewart. My room is
across the hall. I thought perhaps I
might help you"
Well call that mighty kind of
you! There amt no need Of helpin' but
If you'd talk to a fellow a bit it would
be real nice. I'm tired to death of
my own company" Then, MY name
is Mary Murphy-not quite so swell as
yours, is it,
Il think it very nice name.'
MY but you're swell too, amt you?
Do you live here all the time, or are
you just visitin'?" Evidently Mary
considered the letter ''g" as a useless
member OF the alphabet.
Il live here" L replied. amused in
spite of my unhappiness. Mary was a
tall girl with a large frame, big hands
clear blue-honest looking eyes; and
she had nice smile, and perfect teeth.
Her hair was blowsy, a sort of dead
looking flax. Her hands were rough
and red, and her shoes gaped at the
top from lack of buttons.
We'll. I swami No one'd ever be-
lieve it. You must have a dandy job
or else someone has left You money
Her bright eyes travelled over me from
tip to toe.
No, Mary. I haven't any Job. And
nave no money" I had not intended
to tell anyone 1 was out of work. I
thought I would surely find another
place in few days, doing something,
and that 1t was unnecessary to tell Of
my discharge.
Gee! How do you do it?"
My father was a rich man, Mary
we all thought he was. When he
died, there were business troubles, and
there was nothing left for us-mother
and me. I had lots of good clothes,
and that was all. They have made
me lot of trouble, too"
I never heard that good clothes
were a trouble before" she said. "Id
like few such troubles myself"
They are trouble in this way. I
can't get work. mean some of the
places I have tried to get have told
me I dressed too well. They don't
give me time to explain, and hint ter
rible things-that I come by them
'Oh. don't I know just what them
things are they would say! I wasn't
born yesterday nor day before, if 1
do look green. But don't you carei
You're educated can tell by your
talk. You'll find something good pref
ty SOON"
1t comforted me to hear Mary talk.
She was just girl, too, and about my
age. felt as if I had found friend
at once in her. And I needed a friend
If ever a girl did.
I hadn't asked any questions of
Mary. One did not have to. Those
honest blue eyes were recommends
ton enough. So I listened to her
chatter while she 'unpacked her few
possessions, hung her two extra
dresses in the closet, and laid her
cheap toilet articles on the bureau.
Then I said:
81 haven't had my dinner yet, Mary.
go to a little place near here. Don't
you want to go with me?"
You bet I do Don't I talk awful :
amt had no education like you.
Well go Dutch, tho
"AII right. That's the way we girls
at home used to CO."
IT didn't think swell girls done such
| things"
CTo be continued.)