The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-14
A .Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
AN UPSETTING VISIT FROM
DOROTHY FALLON
Chapter IS.


It was tirnid Nellie who took her
usual place in the office the next
morning. But Mr.. Fallon acted ex-
actly as usual-after his morning
greeting which had been a tender, low
ing one. But he had too much good
taste to do anything that would arouse
gossip and Nellie sighed with relief
when she noted his natural manner.
At noon she told Cora, whose. con-
gratulations were SO honest (she was
SO happy in Nellie's happiness) that
Nellie declared It was almost like hav-
ing mother to tell. She wrote Gladys
a note, and then she had no one else
to tell-Inless she wrote Miss Carter.
So she lauShingly said to Cora. But
the laugh had tears in it. She realized
how very much alone in the world she
was.
In one thing Nellie had to give way
to her fiance. He now sent her from
the office early; and insisted she go
| out with him occasionally in the eve
ming. They went to the theater, or
some quiet restaurant, not because he
wished it, but because Nellie would
not let his friends see her until she
could be properly dressed. She would
not be able to have much of a trous-
seau but a dinner dress, new suit.
and the necessary undertakings she
could compass in the three months
she had insisted she must work. Then
she would remain with Mrs. Roberts
a month getting ready.
"She's just like a mother-a good
mother to me-" she told Fallon, when
she outlined her plans. ST am to be
| her guest for that last month"; and she
| is going to help me with my--things."
Occasionally Fallon fused because
Nellie wouldn't take any help from
him, but aside from flowers and books
she had made him understand he hurt
her when he offered.
I'm a rich man, dear. I hate to see
you work SO hard; do without things"
81 have everything I ever had and
more-I have your love now" She
| told him with an adorable blush.
The days flew by and Nellie, anx-
ious as she was at times. saw nothing
to cause her to regret having prom
| ised to marry a man she considered
SO far above her: a man whose life
had been cast in a society of such diff
ferent people from her own. She was
| painfully aware of her shortcomings.
however, and jealousy struggled for
| improvement in her speech and man
ners.
Dorothy Fa1lon had been told of the
engagement, and had spoken nicely to
her, altho with a slight degree of
hauteur Nellie was quick to perceive.
But when she heard her laughing with
her cousin as gayly and light-hearted-
ly as ever she thought she must be
mistaken, that it had not been meant.
Dorothy had wished him all happi-
ness. saying:
eff anyone deserves it it is you, old
dear" then had run away, saying she
was going to make visit. so wouldn't
| bother him for some time 20 come.
"She's very lovely" Nellie said to
him later.
"She-who?" Absent-mindedly he
| had asked. -
Miss Dorothy. She was very kind"
"Of> course! Dot is the right sort.
| One can depend upon her 10 do the
| other remark from Nellie he told her
| several incidents in which Dorothy
| had shown particular tacr.
II never would have done that I'M
| der the same circumstances" Nellie
said to herself. ''Uwould have balIed
things up because I don't know
don't know what is the right thing to
| do."
| That gay little way Dorothy had,
| yet it held a certain dignity; a cock
| sureness. Could she, Nellie, ever hope
to initiate it? That way OF speaking,
grading her manner-be.ng pleasant.
| but repeiling familiarity. Could she
ever acquire that? That wearing her
| clothes as if they were a part of her.
Would she be able to dress to carry
that impression?
She talked of all these things to
Mrs. Roberts.
Rome wasn't built in a day. my
dear" that lady answered. Patience
and perseverance can accomplish
easy. You mustn't undervaIue your
self" To herself the old lady said:
. IT hope she doesn't to hin1-there
is no surer way to cause him to no.
tice her deficiencies"
(To Be Continued.)