The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-08
JUST A GIRL
A PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE,
By JANE PHELPS

l received a long letter from Tony,
written just before he sailed. 1 had
not thought to hear from him again
until he reached Europe. He had de-
clared his intention of writing then.
altho had told him I wasn't at ali
sure I should answer his letters.
Dear Zena-I cannot forget you.
and the way you are living. in that
awful boarding house. Why won't
you marry me, dear, when 1 return
from Europe and let me take care
of you and your, mother? If you
won't do that, let me lend you
money enough to make you com
fortable-you and your mother to-
gether. / would be infinitely hap
pier about you if she were with YOU.
And. dear, have SO much money
great. husky fellow, and you,
daintily brought up, accustomed to
everything, working in an office,
and living in such an awful place
such squalid surroundings! 1t gave
me the blues just to wait in that
parlor. 1 can shut my eyes now
and see the dingy carpet. the yell
lowed wax flowers, those awful pic
lures On the wall, and ornaments on
the n1Antel. Would you rather live
like that than marry me? ISshau
never give up entirely, Zena, as
long as you are single. 1 wish 1
could carry you off as men used in
olden times carry off the mafdens
they love. I'd make you care for
me. Zena! I know I could.
You see, dear, I never thought I
had chance in the old days. We
all thought it would be Jack Pryor.
So 1 didn't butt in. or let you know
how 1 felt. But now 1t is different,
everything is different. l am afraid
you aren't happy, or as contented.
as you pretend. 1 don't see how
you can be. 1 am glad you are
MIA min RI live Nc, T1v
if you won't came to me. But
please let me lend you enough to
be fortable-won't you?
Il shall drop you line every lit
tie while. Write me care of Guar
antee Trust company, Paris. 1 shall
wait anxiously for an answer to all
my questions.-Tony."
half laughed, half sighed, as I fin
ishcd my letter. Tony was so in ear
nest-and he was such a dear. Then
Kenneth Lawrences face came be-
tween me and the letter. I was angry
with myself for hugging to my heart
this will O. the wisp of love which
could never be realized. Kenneth
probably had forgotten all about me.
was only one of many girls he had
met. Then 1 wondered if he had,
whether his face would so constantly
be before me-whether would feel
as 1 did. l smiled to think how fool
ish 1 was getting 1 would forget Ken
meth Lawrence, try to be a sensible
girl and-pcrhaps marry some one
like Tony, for mothers sake.
Mary came in while I was still mus
ing.
Whats the matter? Saving gas by
here in the dark? Or has
something unpleasant happened"
'No-something very pleasant. Mr..
Deland wrote me q nice long letter
before he sailed. I found it when 1
came home.H
Did he say anything about me and
Tom ?' Mary always nov included
Tom in everything.
"Yes-some very nice things"
Didn't teilNou he was smart
man! He knows a good thing when
he sees it. I'll bet 1 can guess what's
In that letter. He wants you to marry
kim"
How did you guess it, Nary"
NO girl sits in the dark With a LETT
ter from a fellow in her hand unless
he is asking her to marry him or
something like that. You wouldn't be
doing it if someone sent-you a bill and
asked you to pay it P. Z. q. I'll bet
you wouldn't! You would be walking
the floor wondering where the money
was coming from, not sitting in the
dark with that far-off look in your
eyes. Well, going to tell me?'
Il shall never marry Tony, Mary, so
don't worry
why not, zena? You amt got no
other felloW. 1 would have known
about him by this time if you had.
Mr.. Deland is rich. he's awfully good
looking, too. and anyone with half an
eye can see he is crazy over you. I'd
hate like the devil to to have you leave
Chicago, but If you was to haveesla tn
ers of money and be happy. the way
you used to be when your father was
i 81
be glad for you
"I know you would, Mary. But un-
less you have changed your mind, /
am going to live in your little flatfwith
you and Tom"
You'd never know how terribly we
would feel if you didn't"
Don't feel badly then. for I am
surely coming
(Tomorrow-ZenA answers Tony's
letter.