The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-19
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
KENNETHS YEAR IS UP,
CHAPTER 43.
.ow the department stores.

Now the department stores.
They were my last hope. If 1 could
secure nothing there. I would have
to try household service again. But
I revolted against that. Not from
pride now, but because it would give
me not time to learn any sort of bust
ness. I recalled how at Mrs. Bush S
1 never had a moment, day or evening,
and was too tired even to read. 1 had
hoped A business position would give
me an opportunity to learn tipping, at
least, and so make my services more
valuable.
ASH reached the front door the next
morning, there lying on the hat rack,
was a letter from mother, and also
a parcel addressed by her. I grabbed
them and ran upstairs. They had been
sent special, and I was anxious.
When this reaches you. Zena, you
will be twenty years old. 1 have
sent it special so you would get it.
1t doesn't seem more than yester-
day when you were a little girl in
short dresses. 1t seems only yester-
day when you had your coming out
party, just a year ago. How much
has happened in this year, dear
child! l pray constantly for you
that some day you may be happy
and successful. That 1 cannot help
you, is a great sorrow to me. Yet
know I cannot, and that were I with
you, I would only be a hindrance.
My health is very bad. Susan is an
angel and does everything she can
for me.
II have always heard that no
house was large enough for two
families. I have disproved it.
Here are Susan and I, never knew
each other before and we are dwell
ing together in perfect amity.
help about the yard and a little in
the house. I am not i'll, not really;
have no pain at all. But I just
feel weak and out of sorts. Nice
weather is on the way, and then I
shall doubtless pick up.
Il have sent you an old fashioned
chain and locket. Your father gave
it to me on my twentieth birth
day. 1t was the first thing he gave
me after we were married. Think
of it, Zena, 1 was married at your
age.
Susan is also sending a gift-a
bracelet which she says was fash
ionable at the same period. They
are of the same Gull gold, you will
notice. and both of exquisite work
manship.
with all my love. dear child. and
remembranceS from Susan-Your
mother. MARY STEWART"
I opened the box. There reposins
on bed of white satin, in an OLD
leather case, were the chain and lock
ct, and the bracelet. There were ex.
quisite. I seemed to remember thai
when I was a little girl mother had
entertained me one rainy day BY
showing me Her jewel box-the one
containing old-fashioned pieces she
never wore. and that this chain hat
been among them. I was delighted
beyond expression when, upon open
ing the locket. 1 found a picture o.
mother and father in opposite sides
They must have been taken about th'
time father gave her the chain and
locket. Mother looked so young.
The bracelet too fascinated me won
derfully. Yet as I put the chair
around my neck and dropped the lock
ct down inside my waist would al
away in my suit case, I sighed.
My birthday. Tears poured from
my eyes as I recalled the last one
Then suddenly. for the first time il
weeks Kenneth Lawrence flashed int
my mind-his promise. The year wa
up-and he was at liberty to write me
Then there swept over me reali
cation of my changed conditions
When, Kenneth had seen me, met me
I was the petted daughter of a reputeC
millionaire. moving in the Same cir
cles as did his own aristocratic aunt
NOw-What was l? AS far s the rea
me went, l was the same Zena Stew
art; but would I be to him, to AM
one?
All the questions. the emotions the!
excited. added to the remembrance:
of dad the day had brought more
acutely to me, would unfit me fol
seeking work, I knew, so took off m,
hat. One day. my birthday. would
take to talk with myself-to look int
my own soul. and to decide what
should do.
Kenneth had no way of knowing
WHARF, 1 was. had left no address il
New York, had communicated will
no one. Neither had I given any ont
mothers address. We were lost. ut
terly lost, unless I wished it other
wise.
Should write Kenneth Lawrence
tell him my plight?
(Tomorrow-Work at last.)