The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-16
A Stenographer's
Romance
SOCIAL -UsAGEs WORRY NELLIE

BY JANE PHELPS

Because of constantly comparing
what Miss Dorothy did under certain
circumstances with what she would
have done under the same conditions
Nellie did exactly what Mrs. Roberts
hoped she wouldn't. She deprecated
herself to Mr.. Fallon. apologized for
her shortcomings when, had she kept
quiet3 he perhaps would not have no
ticed
She was almost painfully anxious to
please him, and not embarrass him by
awkwardnesses- to which he was not
accustomed when with the young
ladies of his own set-his station in
life This anxiety made Nellie often
self-conscious: something she never
before had been. Her manner when
Mr.. Fallon invited others to join them
was apt to be stilted. to lose the
charm her naturalness had given it.
Would l have done that?" or
Would I have answered in that
way? were questions constantly in
her mind. Had she waited until alone
to ponder these things they would
not have SO distressed her, perhaps.
Surely they would not have distracted
her attention, made her appear dis
trait-which she often did because of
trying to think of how she would
have handled a situation even while
1t was in progress, instead of enjoy
ing herself and working out her
problems afterward.
Her pride in her handsome, dis
tinguished looking lover was intense.
She compared him to every man she
saw, and he always seemed far above
! them in every respect. That he should
care for her, want her for his wife,
still caused in her a wonderment
that increased instead of diminished
as time went on
Mr.. Fallon many times had begged
her to stop working; to let him pro-
vide what she needed, or wait until
after they were married and then
purchase her trousseau. But she was
adamant. Her ideas of right and
wrong, between men and women.
cleaned from the travelling men who
patronized Miss Carters boarding
house at the Corners, never had
changed They had belittled girls and
women who accepted money from
men before their marriage; had
laughed at them, called them unkind
names. If those common men held
such opinions of women who accepted
favors before they were entitled to
Fallon think?
sShe had her beautiful ring. He kept
her supplied with flowers and books.
But Nellie would accept nothing else.
I'm living in faiFy-world- as it
isl she told him when he begged her
to consent to his wishes. II have
flowers in my room all the time; all
the new books to read; theaters, mo-
tor rides, lovely dinners in restaurants
don't want to do anything more,
please"
She talked of these things with Mrs.
Roberts, and the old lady, admiring
her independence. encouraged her to
keep to her decision. Said she:
mfr. Fallon naturally wants you to
have everything. He is rich and L
can understand his aversion to having
you go on working, his wanting to
give Won VOllr frOlsSean R11t deem
down in his heart I am sure he re-
spects you for refusing. Few girls
would have the stamina to do so
| especially girls who love pretty things
as you do"
The friendship of this refined, kind
hearted woman meant much to Nellie;
helped her even more than she real
lied. She could talk to Mrs. Roberts
| of her little vexations as well as of
| larger things, sure of sympathy, posi-
tive she would not be laughed at for
her mistakes altho- Mrs Roberts
often laughed with her. fer the old
lady had a keen senes of humor-but
would be advised and helped.
When at restaurant dinner one
night. Miss Dorothy, one of the party,
! Mr.. Fallon introduced two friends of
his. Nellie at onse stood up, and
shook hands. saying:
I'm glad to meet you Then
| blushed crimson as she noted Miss
Dorothy acknowledge the INTRODUCTION
| by a bow and smile; not rising.
at was awful They way I felt"
she told Mrs. Roberts. She was so
cool looking so natural. I guess she
wouldn't have made any fuss if George
had introduced he to a king. I
acted like a little country girl-just
what am. Oh. will ever learn all
the little things that makes you know
people are right?'
Mrs. Roberts encouraged her to for
get her annoyance with herself. AS
she did almost daily when Nellie came
to her with tales of similar incidents.
you'll soon learn; and your heart
is all right. That is what really
counts, Nellie"
(Tomorro%- Proves Herself
Competency