The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-06
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
A FAREWELL LUNCHEON.
Chapter III.

During our luncheon Tony had
asked me how much 1 earned with
Mr.. Claxton. When told him, rather
proudly, I must admit, he said:
IF yoh earn $25 week can't you
get out of that awful roor-elg house?
don't see how you st&4 it, zena.
honestly I don't. After your lovely
home to live in that placer
you forget, Tony, that it is long
time now since I have had a lovely
home Mrs Fagin is very kind to
me. I don't know how I could have
lived at one time had it not been for
her. She helped Mary and me get
started in the pancake shop. has wait
ed upon me when 1 was sick. and oh.
done lots of things for me! But when
Tom and Mary are married, 1 shall
live with them until 1 can save enough
to bring mother on"
us that your plan? To have your
mother with your
\ ut has been the one thing that has
kept me going, Tony"
by Jove, Zenai You're a won
deri"
Tony had also asked me some ques-
tons about Mr.. Claxton. He tried to
tease me a little when he found he
was a bachelor, but soon desisted
! when I explained how very kind. but
emp1oyerlike always, he had been to
me.
Tony had said one thing that wor-
ried me little.
81 shall be away several months,
Zena. But now that 1 have found you
| I'm not going to lose you again. l
shall be in Chicago occasionally, and
Wen have some good times together,
! like we used to-"
but, Tony, 1 have neither the time
nor the strength to do the things 1
used to-nor the clothes. Then think
what Old Lady Grumpy would say If
she knew that Tony Deland was vast
| ing his time on an office girl.'
THAT old cat has nothing 10 do with
u.s. We don't care what she says"
II do, and must, Tony. You see we
position, and who would make wrong
deductions to see me with you, or any
| other wealthy man"
| 'Have it your own way now, Zena,"
he smiled at me. But perhaps by the
time L come back you will have
changed your mind
| 1 had been so engrossed with Tony
| that 1 had not noticed any one in the
restaurant. which was so large would
not have noticed any one L knew I'M
less they had been sitting very near
1 was more than surprised as L went
| into the office to have Mr.. Belts say:
x see you break your rules when
| it suits you, Miss Stewart. A mill
| lionaire like Deland usually gets what
! he wants"
| I was so surprised that he knew who
Tony was that l said:
You know Mr.. Delandy.
| "I know who he is.N 1 was with a
New York firm for while that iia.,-
! died a good deal of his fathers bust
ness"
II have known Mr.. Deland all my
| life," I replied, then hurried past hin.
| into Mr.. Claxtons office, but not so
quickly that didn't-hear Jennie VIII
cox say:
shes been brought up on million-
aires according to her. Pity she had
to but in here as bluff $3.50.
+ My cheeks burned. / felt heaft-sick,
as I invariably did when anything like
! that was said either to or about me.
But I was fast learning that personal
/ feelings of any kind could not be al
| lowed to interfere with business If 4
| possible compelled myself to put my
mind on my work and forget her UNI
| pleasant remark.
| HAS Mr.. Deland gomez" 1t was
Mr.. Claxton who spoke. 1 had been SO
engrossed that had not heard the
| office door open.
| Yes, he left about an hour ago He
is going to Europe"
You will miss him. 1t must have
been great treat for you 10 see ana
! talk with one OF your old friends
| ut was, Mr. Claxton. And Tony
was so nice to Mary and Tom He
TOOK us all to dinner at the Blackstone
| Saturday night. then to the theater.s ;.
was surprised at the quick look
of something very like gladness tina,
came into Mr.. Claxton's eyes at my
| remark.
Il dined at the Blackstone Satur-
| day night, too. and saw you. The
gentleman 1 was with knew Mr. De-
land. and spoke very highly of him. =.
He is fine! Since his fathers death
ne has become quite business man, 1
| judge
1 This ended the conversation about
Tony. but it left me feeling happy once.
more-absolutely Noblivious to the
black looks of Mr.. Belts and Miss Will
cox.
tfomorrow-Plans that will lead TO
/ success.)
|