The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-07
A Stenogrdpher's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
NELLIE DIMES WITH MIR.
ROBINSON.

Mr.. Robinson ordered everything
Nellie wanted. and more-A jellied
consomme; the broiled chicken, new
peas, salad, ice cream and cakes.
N"Oh!-" Nellie breathed in antici-
patton. Then when the consomme
came: I'D like Miss Carter to see this
soup. They freeze it. don't they?
never heard of soup being froze, and
don't believe she has
who is Miss Carter" Mr.. Robin
son asked, amused.
shes the woman who kept the
boarding house at Hudson Corners
L worked for her. She made good
enough soup-sometimes, but, geeI
wouldn't she open those little, stingy
eyes of hers if she could see this.''
There was nothing wrong with Nell
lies appetite, and her employer
smiled more than once as he replen-
ished her plate. He scarcely ate any
thing. himself but Nellie was too busy
TO notice. He led her on to talk,
amused at her naive pleasure in
everything; as well as her appetite.
This is the best dinner 1 ever had
in my hfe!' she exclaimed as she fin
ished her ice cream. Just them she
caught sight of the clock.
Il must go now. If 1 don't Cora
will have the police hunting me. She's
awful particular. Shes a minister's
Daughter. Her father died, and she
supports her Mother She's awful
afraid I'll get pinched or something
cause 1 fool SO much. She knows 1
don't mean anything. but she says
other people won't know it,
1T seems to me you/are in a posi-
ton to do as you please" her en-
ployer returned carelessly. You take
care of yourself
But 1 never could have if it hadn't
been for her. She taught me, helped
me in every way; even bought me
this dress so I would look all right to
work in an office" When she began
to talk of Cora. Nellie forgot every
thing but her kindness. her love for
her. II must go! 1 wouldn't have
her worried for anything"
We'll, I'll stay a while and smoke
a. cigar. Goodnight, and thank you
for keeping me from lonely dinner"
Mr. Robinson was nothing if not tact
full.
Gee, Think of thanking me for
eating that dinner!' Nellie said to her
self as she hurried away. II never
would be lonely with all that food in
front of me! He might talk of lonely
dinners if he'd seen some of those I
had at Miss Carter's-they were SO
lonely sometimes you couldn't hardly
see Them
So busy was she with her thoughts,
her anxiety to get home, that she no
ticed nobody in the street. Had she,
she might have seen Smith. the book
keeper behind her, noticed that he
watched until she took the subway
train uptown.
where in the world have you
been?" Cora asked as Nellie burst into
the room in her impetuous way. II
have been worried about you"
Never worry about little Nellie.
She can look after herself" she kissed
Cora. Frozen soup, broiled chicken.
peas, salad. ice cream and cake!
How's that for dinner"
..,;tStop your fooling and tell US what
to keep you so late" the in
quisitive Gladys broke in.
Didn't 1 just tell you? Even if I
do eat too fast to be polite, as Cora
says, I couldn't eat all that in a
minute. I almost knocked people
down I hurried so-and see! 1 don't
get no thanks"
Quiet down, dear, and tell us all
about it-that is if you wish us to
know" Cora said, a slightly worried
look on her face.
well, Just as 1 was making myself
handsome to come home, the boss said
HIS wife was out for dinner. and he
was going to eat in a restaurant. that
he hated to eat alone, and would be
kind and keep him company-wOuld
[? 1 said I would but that I mustn't
be late because you would worry. He
told me 1 could go just as soon as we
finished. And 1 did, but he stayed to
smoke. And 1 had all them things 1
told you-every one! How I wished
could bring some home to you, but
I didn't dare ask him to let me-
Cora still looked little anxious.
What did you talk about, dear?"
she asked.
Mostly about the eats and you. I |
told him I'd like Miss Carter to have |
some of that soup you freeze like ice |
cream; and told him you'd worry be-
cause you were a minister's daughter. I
guess I didn't say much else. I was !
100 busy eating"
Gladys and Cora both laughed and |
Cora said: Don't go often, Nellie. 1t |
sn't wise for a working girl to be seen |
n public with her employer"
mo danger his asking me! These |
Kind of dinners don't come but once in |
L lifetime. Gee! But it was good." |
he girl smacke0 her lips.
Tomorrow-Lena Goodrich's story.) I