The Topeka state journal., 1922-10-02
A Stenographer's,
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
MIR. FALLON HEARS OF DONALD
HORNE

Chapter 81.
Nellie cherished no thought that
her love for George Fallon could ever
mean anything to her; that he did, or
ever would return 1t. Her practical
nature, her good common sense, that
had kept her straight for so long pre-
vented her. If she could hide her feel
ing for him she could keep her place,
be near him. This was all she could
hope for. But 1t meant so much that
she exerted all her will-power to con-
ceal from him the love which had
come to her. the love that had lain
dormant until his accident.
Donald Horne realized something
was wrong with Nellie, but hesitated
to question her. There was something
in her manner, a look in her eyes
that forbade. He tried in every little
way he could think of to interest her,
unobstrusively showed his sympathy.
But for Nellie he didn't exist. She
thanked him for his flowers, but in
a perfunctory manner, very different
from her usual grateful enthusiasm
for a kindness. Then kept out of his
way as much as possible. going to
her room the moment she finished
her dinner.
For some time, practically ever
since the elder Mr.. Fallon's absence,
Miss Jones had quietly-without say
ing anything to Nellie, but acting on
Mr.. Georges advice-been initiating
her into the work she so long had
been doing as his private secretary.
Nellie gave this no thought, beyond
the feeling she was getting on, and
supposed when the elder Mr.. FalIon
came back she would again take her
place in his office. Whenever she
she only saw Mr.. George when he
came in to consult with his father
Now she sat near him all day, where
she could glance at him when he
wasn't looking, where he often talked
to her.
read his mail, Nellie heard him re-
mark to Miss Jones: Father has de-
cided, upon the advice of his doctor,
to remain abroad a year. He was
preparing to retire when he became
i'll, SO I shall feel no inconvenience
as far as the business is concerned,
altho 1 shall miss his advice-our
consultations"
IT am sure the business will not
suffer, and I think him very WISE"
Miss Jones returned. Many men go
on until too ]ate.' -
Nellie had turned pale and averted
her head that they might not notice
her emotion. Would she have to go :?
Would there be no need of her if Mr..
Fallon did not take an active part in
the business? She iopged desperately
to say somthing, to find out in some
way if she were to stay, but lacked
the courage.
All day she was very quiet, her
saucy answers te the other employees
stilled.
'"I couldn't bear it-not to be here"
she said to herself as she typed
rapidly. 81 never knew loving hurt
so-at times. But I'd rather, love him
a he Irf of hi
1t seemed to Nellie the day never
would end. Then at O'Clock she
hoped it wouldn't. Miss Jones went
out, and she was alone with Mr.. Fall
Ion. Sitting beside him, taking die
tation. Prosaic enough, surely. Yet
the day had suddenly become bright
She was, for the once, happy.
After debating while Mr.. George
leaned back in his chair and cues
toned her: WAS she comfortable? Did
she like the boarding house as well as
she thought she would? Were the
other boarders congenial?
He laughed merrily when she told
him of Miss Pitt.-of her remark the
night she went to the theater-that
she wasn't brought UP to go gadding
about alone with young men.
"And what did you say?"
"I expect I was rather impudent."
Nellie answered. flushing. "I told her
perhaps she might learn to now if
they would ask her"
you are very quick. Miss Nellie"
her employer replied, laughing again.
Then soberly: This young man with
whom you go to the theater-is he
one of the boarders?"
Yes, a newspaper man. and they all
say he is a very nice fellow an i'm
pulse debating the answer. Mr.. Fallon
mustn't think no one was attracted to
her. Yet she could not understand
the look that swept his face-regret-I
indecision-a bit of sadness.