The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-12
JUST A GIRL
BY JANE PHELPS
"A SCfHEh fAfGl Il.
CHAPTER 143.

4
Often when 1 felt nervous, the
homeIy atmosphere of Mary's apart
ment, their perfect understanding OF
each other, would prove soothing tc
me. At times, usually Saturday after
moons and Sundays. when I did not
go to the office, 1 was Hall on edge
as Mary expressed it-so nervous
was just a bit inclined to be hysterical
1 ran to Mary's as much to keep
mother from noticing my condition as
for any other reason She would have
| laid it all to my work, whereas had il
| not been for that work think would
have lost my mind.
1 wonder if it is strange that this
should have been SO? That I should
my inability to decide whether I want
ed to marry Kenneth Lawrence or
not? FfTe time was slipping by-he
would soon be coming after mel What
was I going to tell him?
Does 1t seem that I should have
known my own mind? Remember,
this was the man who for years had
been always in my thoughts; a dan
gerous thing for a young girl to do,
perhaps-allow her mind to dwell on
a man, endow him with all the per-
fections-because such thought may
prevent giving and receiving the real
love that Mary declared waited for
ner, perhaps.
Mrs. Fagin had been to call upon
mother. She talked such nonsense in
her broad brogue that mother and
Aunt Susan were convulsed. But she
alsos said some things I wished she
hadn't. She told, innocently. of course,
of the struggle had when first went
to live with her. She also said things
about Mr.. Claxton that made my face
hot with bushes. She always had in
sisted that some day 1 would marry
my boss" and she reiterated it now.
much to my chagrin and to Aunt Su-
sans amusement.
Tom and Mary dropped in, and Aunt
Susan proposed we have a cold supper
for them all.
you'll stay?" she asked Mrs. Fagin.
"Shure I will! 1t amt often I git
the chance to eat in anybody's home
but me own-that is, unless I go to
going"
We had told aunt and mother Of the
part Mrs. Fagin had played when we
started the shop-that of fairy god
mother.
"And we are always glad to have
you come" Tom told her heartily.
It was about half past nine when we
sat down to supper. Said Tom:
FIN so glad you let US sit around
the table, Zena. Things always taste
better to me. I hate to have to hold
a plate and napkin in my lap. To be
honest, never DO! IT get a grip on
the plate, the napkin slides onto the
floor: If I hang onto the napkin. I'm
always afraid shall drop the plate"
That's just the way I am, Tom, y
Aunt Susan broke in, when I go to
the church socials, or the missionary
meetings. Of course, I wear my silk
dress, and 1t makes me all the more
nervous, because I'm sure to spill
something when reach down to pick
up my napkin" We all laughed, then
Mary said:
Whatever will we all do If you get
married and leave us. zena? Tom and
me was talking about it last night, and
it just seemed to me I couldn't stand
it If you went away where couldn't
see you every day or two"
st guess If she does git married she
amt going so far away we can't see
her." Mrs. Fagin said, winking at
Aunt Susan. OF course, she knew
nothing of Kenneth Lawrence, never
had heard of my dream-lcver who now
had materialized. blushed furiously.
There, Miss Zena, you >needn't
blush. He's fine man."
PLEASE Mrs. Fagin, don't take
things for granted"
you don't know which side your
bread is buttered on unless you marry
him, and I don't name Just because
he's rich, either"
1t was II o'clock when they left us.
Tom and Mary were to take Mrs. Fa-
gin home. AS mother locked the door
after them, she said:
"They will miss you, dear, If you
decide to leave Chicago. They love
you very dearly"
THAT Mrs. Fagin is "a very sensible
woman" graphically added Aunt Susan.
1 thought of that wink, but said moth
ing. I had been annoyed that Mr..
Claxton had been mentioned.
(TomorroPv-A wonderful EVENING"