The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-23
A Stenographer's
Romance
, NELLIE ADVISES HILDA MOORE,
BY JANE PHELPS

Chapter SO.
A few days afterward Hilda Moore
came in to talk to the girls. She was
in a fault-finding mood, and didn't
hesitate to express herself.
II don't get enough to pay for my
clothes" she complained. They
don't seem to think Il girls clothes
wear out! ITS just awful the way
We have to work and the little We. get.
1 don't have no luck like Nellie does,
and have been working ever so much
longer"
do you have to send any of your
money Aome?' Nellie asked.
NO indeed I'd like to catch my
self. Then they don't neSd it. My
father owns his farm, but he didn'
want me to leave. Said he wouldn't
help me cent If I did. But see
myself living on a farm all my life. I
the only place. Then: IT must get
more pay somehow. just must!"
why don't you cut out the flossy
clothes, Hilda2" Nellie went on think
ing she saw a chance to give her the
advice Cora had suggested. 1T don't
believe you'll ever get big pay while
you wear them. They make you look
sort of young and silly. Those peek-a-
boo waists and them pink and lacey
things you wear underneath aren't
nice. They look as if you wanted ey-
eryone to know what kind of under
clothes you wore"
Anything more, MISS ElIey!' E11lQa
sarcastically asked.
"Plenty!> I amt no prude, but your
skirts are so short don't see why you
bother to wear any at all. Your legs
don't strike me like an artist would
rave over them. And those cheap gla IS
beads. and long earringsi 7 know
they are the style, but they aren't Of
flee style. I'd like to wear all the
fancy things you do to the movies and
when I go to the opera. But I guess
7 Uyn1Ildnff knoT ffna long If 7
dangled them things in Mr.. Fallon's
face; and showed my legs tol all the
men in the office. They know I've got
them, that's enough for them to know.
nue. girls that have money enough to
change the style every rive minutes.
The trouble with you is you've got
beer income and you try to drink
champagne"
'Is that alp"
For this time. yes. And, perhaps,
if you pay some attention to what lit
tie Nellie tells you, you'll find your
pay envelope heavier to tote home"
Hilda was not pleased, and showed
it. But finally she turned TO Cora
and said:
Il thought I had to keep up with
the other girls. Cora, look stylish
But Hilda," Cora gently replied.
and in an office it is worse than any
where else. A dark dress, simply
made, of good material, looks far bet
ter and wears longer. Then L agree
with Nellie" she smiled as she re-
membered how she had talked to her
on the same subject, that in a really
good position 1t is necessary to dress
IN business-like way. Be dainty and
neat, but don't, wear loud colors or
extreme styles"
John, the fellow I go out with likes
me to look smart" Hilda returned,
blushing.
'Of course he does. But he would |
think you all the smarter in a wen fit
ting dark-dress- Try it and seeh
Does he like your showing your
legs like you do?" Nellie broke in. |
Hilda blushed even more furiously. Il |
he wouldn't, not if he likes
YOU We all know you are good and |
but by lingo, you don't look It'll" |
Thank you!" Hilda said dryly, and !
soon left.
II m afraid I made her mad, or hurt |
her. Nellie said after she had gone |
You see when 1 get started 1 don't /
know when to stop; and 1 knew all /
the time I'd like fancy waists and ear
rings, and probably would be spending
my own money for all that trash if il |
wasn't for you. Cora
II think it will do her good" Gladys
said Poor child, she looks like II
Christmas tree.
It turned out that it did Gradually
ailda put aside most of her unsuitable
,ol-de-rols. and dressed more quietly.
altho she couldn't quite bring her
she visited. But she confessed the
of the office where she
worked had spoken of her improved !
ooks, had told her she looked more
ike a lady.
.Tomorrow-Nellie's wonderful idea.)