The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-05
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
NELLIE is INVITED OUT TO
DINNER

CudppST To-
Cora found her new position pleas
ant, and much less trying. She re-
ceived the same salary but she would
be under q financial strain for some
time to come-the doctors bill, what
she owed the girls, and SO on. They
had talked about letting Mrs. Baker
know Cora was I'll, then decided it
wasn't necessary when the doctor told
them that a good Test would set her
up all right So Gladys and Nellie
had sent the usual amount to her,
but to do SO had been compelled to
ask Mrs Thompson to wait. Now
there was that to make up.
It's awful easy to get behind"
Nellie said to Gladys, but the divil's
own Job to catch up
Don't say anything like that be-
fore Cora. She's awful sensitive about
things and feels badly enough be-
| cause we had to help her."
why shouldn't we? Me anyway!
Where'd I be now if it wasn't for her :?
OF course I wouldn't say anything like
that to her, and I'm going to strike
my boss for more money. 1 want to
pay my full share and I can't unless
get q raise"
True to her word the next morning
Nellie asked for a raise. She waited
| until the bookkeeper had gone to
lunch, then said:
Mr.. Robinson, do I suit you?"
yes, Miss Nellie, you have done
very we'll"
Don't you think can have a
raise? I've got to. Cora was sick
almost a month. She's the girl I in
troduced you to the day she called
to me. There is another girl with
US too, and I want to pay my share
of our expenses. 1 can't on what
you give me-" Whenever Nellie was
Serious, she used much better Ian
guage, appeared older.
a'Well I'll think about If - Mr. Rnh-
inson answered.
But I can't wait! I have to have
It right away. hate to leave you but
I'll have to if I don't get more 1t
was a threat that frightened Nellie
as soon as she had uttered it, but
she stood quietly and waited.
"All right I'll make it IS, altho
business doesn't warrant it."
Thank you'll" was all Nellie said.
but she wondered why he couldn't
afford it? He came to the office in a
big touring car. and the day his wife
was there she had looked out the
window when SIZE left and saw her
get into a limousine. Funny that
couldn't pay a girl a decent salary.
Joyously she took her news to the
other two. And they rejoiced with
her. She was now getting about
what she was worth, Cora told her.
You'll never get more until you are
worth more" she said. ct consider
| that a very fair salary for a girl with
no experience. no reference from any
Robinson has been very fair"
Now Nellie insisted upon paying a
third of everything, altho it left her
very little for her personal expenses.
Il don't see why some one doesn't
invent shoes that won't wear out, ;"
she grumbled, and clothes that don't
fade and look so shabby
Nellis always looked as well as pos
sible in what she had. She was ex-
shined, her clothes well brushed and
pressed. That she often looked en-
Viously at other girls her age, girls
who dressed almost stylishly, even if
little more conspicuousIy than was
in good taste for a working girl, is
not to be wondered at. But she never
said anything of this to Cora. She
made fun of her looks, her old clothes.
The other two never dreamed of any
neartache because OF them.
A few days after her promised raise
Mr.. Robinson kept her later than
usual. The bookkeeper fingered, until
finally his employer currIy told him
he could go.
After the door closed upon him, Mr..
Robinson turned to Nellie.
MY wife is out to dinner tonight.
shall dine at a restaurant. want You
to come and keep me company.
hate eating alone"
But" to be honest Nellie's hesi-
tation was because of her clothes. "I
am afraid Cora will worry"
Nonsense! You'll be home in an
hour or two. Wen have anything you
like, broiled chicken and ice cream
are what girls your age usually ask
for" He smiled at her, a fatherly.
patronizing smile.
The mention of broiled chicken and
ice cream decided Nellie. She would
not be very late, and she couldn't re-
siSt. There was no use trying. So
she fluffed her brown hair before the
little mirror, put on her shabby hat
and coat, and went out with her en-
ployer.
Had she been looking she might
have seen the bookkeeper standing iE
a doorway as they passed, an anxious
look on his thin face.