The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-13
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS =
THE BROKERS' OFFICE.
CHAPTER 81.

Something's wonder if any other girl
ever wrote about her own life as am
doing-telling everything just as Z
happened, CLOSING nothing over, not
even her emotions.
I have said nothing about my dis
appointment that my adventure into
business had failed because of my
health. That is. failed as far as was
concerned. I had dreamed-after we
had proved a success in a small way
of branching out, and having a BUSH
ness run on different lines, after my
own ideas. Now that had to be given
up. That I said little about 1t at the
time, or that have written little about
it, does not mean that it had been
easy for me to again start out looking
for work-even for work that I (per-
haps because of my ignoranee) was
sure would prove congenial.
At o'clock the morning after had
been engaged by the manager of the
brokers' office. I was in the corridor
outside of the office. The door was
locked. ! looked about for some one
L might question. The only person I
saw was a little old gray-haired scrub
woman.
What time do CIaxton & Company
open?" I asked.
dearie. You must be new girl
Il am" I replied, smiling at the
"dearie' SO Commonly employed by
Irish women of her sort.
There amt no need for you to git
here till a little past nine anyway.
You look to be a decent sort, Miss. 1
hopes you kapes so.'
How nice 1t would be to work in
such place. thought. I could either
help Mary with her books or practice
my typing for an hour in the morning
before I left the house. Surely an
office position had attractions. No
wonder so many girls worked hard to
secure them.
I waited before the door until about
ten minutes after nine Then a red
headed, freckled boy, with a good
natured face hurried along the hall,
whisthng popular I. with a shrill-
ness that made me shudder. He
opened the door and banged it shut
again without interrupting his tune
followed him in, and explained
that L was the new typist
asked
Since 8 O'clock I didn't know you
Hully gee. but you must like to get
up earlyi Mike for the early stuff for
me. Amt no use workin' more'n YOU
have to. you know"
BEFORE I could reply had ! wanted
to, Mr.. Belts, the manager. and the
man who had engaged me. came in.
Good morning, see you are
prompt" he said, as he hung UP his
hat.
shes been here since o'clock"
the boy grinned wickedly.
Speak when you are spoken to,
young man." was the stern reply, at
which the boy looked sheepish, and
resumed his whistling but in a much
lower tone.
Mr.. Belts showed me where to put
my hat and coat, then seemed to for
get me. entirely. I seated myself in
the outer office. Presently the office
Finally a good-looking, well-groomed
man came in. Mr.. Belts Immediately
came forward and said:
Good morning, Mr.. Ciaxton. Here
is the young lady l engaged last night,
Miss Stweart." $,
was surprised that my employer
was so young. He was, judged, about
35. He took me into his office at once
and laid some letters on my desk.
Il will dictate the answers in a few
minutes" he remarked, scarcely look
ing at me. then left me alone
II might be a piece of furniture for
all he would know" 1 muttered; then.
"Tll make him notice me, because of
my good work"
Had 1 known that my predecessor
had been a very expert young woman.
who had left them to get married, and
whom they felt badly to lose. / might
have had less faith in my power TO
make him notice me because of my
work"
(Tomorrow- first day in an