The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-26
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
NELLIE REBUKES A SUBWAY
FTIRT

FLIRT.
Chapter 9.
Nellie was curiously naive in some
ways. uncommonly sophisticated in
others. Cora felt sure she would soon
become invaluable If she got a posi-
tion;her quick grasp of things, her
willingness to please. her determine
ton to be in an office. all encouraged
both Cora and Gladys into believing
she would surely maze good if she
got a chance.
Gladys had spoken to Miss Mcbride,
the woman who kept the agency, but
had received little encouragement.
Nowadays men don't want girls
IT could get around the references
from what you tell me of this girl,
but not the lack of experience. Of
course I will try to place her, but if
should succeed her wages will be
very small at first"
Get her anything you can" Gladys
returned, Miss Baker and I will help
her out until she can earn enough to
live on
You seem very fond of her"
I'VE are, both of us. She's the
brightest little thing and so pretty
too pretty Cora thinks. She's rather
impudent too sometimes. If anyone
says anything she doesn't like she gets
back at them like Tightening. But
she's good. and won't stand any nom
sense. She's had a hard life in a
cheap boarding house where travelling
men stopped, and has learned a lot of
things about life by listening to their
coarse talk. But a girl who had 10
work as hard as she did, then teaches
herself to use a typewriter all alone
in stuffy attic, is bound to get on
we think
I'm getting interested in this pro-
tegee of ours. You say Miss Baker
has been teaching her for three
months?"
yes, shorthand and spelling. The
poor child couldn't spell at ALL But
she can now. 1 never saw anyone so
in earnest as she is"
well, I will do my best, but don't
be too sanguine. Rather, don't let
her be-"
Gladys Doran had taken a small
room in Mrs. Thompson's boarding
house Cora had been urging it for
long time. yet she laughingly said:
IT'S Nellie got you here at last, not
because you wanted to be with me-
mo, indeed, Gladys, But am glad
to be where she is. She's a sure cure
for the blues, and do get awfully de-
pressed at times. Somtlmes l wonder
if I am going to work like this all my
life, and have so little to show for it"
your brother and sister are grow
ing up, they'll soon be able to help.
Cora encouraged. 1t was diScouraging
to work as hard as Gladys did and
send all she earned nome, save enough
to feed and clothe herself-the last as
cheaply as possible. Gladys was a
good looking girl, with a strong, ca
pable face but a serious girl, too serl-
Gus for her age. When Cora told her
so she answered:
''Fve never had anything to make
me anything else"
Hip-hip-hurrah!" Nellie came
into the room where the two girls sat
talking like a whirlwind. She grabbed
Cora and kissed her, then pulled
Gladys from her chair and waltzed
her furiously about the room. MAJ
Whats the natter? Do stop and
let me get my breath" Gladys
pleaded.
Matter! I've got job, that's alI!''
she whirled her more furiously than
before. Little Nellie has a job and
can earn her way! Gee, but aren't I
happy" She sank in a heap on the
floor, dragging Gladys, now quite
GREATNESS, down with her.
Quiet down. Nellie. and tell US all
could stop laughing. What kind of
place, and who with?"
Wait a minute, Cora! I can't talk
yet came near yelling for JOY in the
subway. 1 guess must have looked
awful tickled, because everybody I
looked at grinned at me. One fellow
just asked him II he was making
them monkey faces at me? You
should have heard the people laugh.
He sneaked out at the next stop"
Il should think he would" Both
girls laughed gayly. Now tell US
about the job. Everything! We are
so anxious to hear all about it,
We'll, here goes!"
! (Tomorrow-Nellie tells of securing
a positiOn.)