The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-02
A Stenogrdpher's
Romance sss
BY JANE PHELPS
AN ACCIDENT THAT DECIDED
CORA.
CHAPTER ~.

CHAPTER -.
A few DAYS after the party Cora
slipped on the subway stairs as she was
coming home from the office. Gladys
was with her, and caught her as she
fell, but even SO she sprained her
ankle. The doctor Dugan got for them
said it would be, a week before she
could step on it.
How dreadful," she sal 1. Il don't
think they will keep my place for me
they really can spare one girl. and
this viii give them an excuse
why try to go backg Gladys
asked. why not make all syour plans
for the little office you talked about?
We don't need anything more TO be
a while longer to sit On and William
/ will help find a place I'll go with
him any time"
Il believe wilt" Cora spoke I'm.
pulsively. 1T think perhaps 1t is as
good time as any. j am only sorry
'.I'li go and talk to her for you.''
Nellie offered '.I'll tell her exactly
what you want &c do, then tell you
what she says
III you will, dear" so it was set
tied.
Nellie also called up William the
next day at her noon hour, told him
of Cora's accident, and he promised to
come up that evening to ses her, and
talk things over.
Miss Mcbride, while not overly en-
thusiastic. thought Cora's idea prac-
ticable, especially if she happened TO
get into building where work of that
kind-'hurry up work." she called it,
was needed. Nellie repeated what Mr..
Fallon had said about wishing there
was some one to help out occasionally,
and added:
mine" 1t was always my firm" with
Nellie.
She listened very carefully while
Miss Mcbride talked. and that night
lrfpeated what she had said. Then
William came, and after Gladys and
she had left him alone with c IRA in
the sitting room, where she was
stretched out on the couch her ankle
bandaged. they all talked the move
over.
The rent seares me-" Cora said.
IF it wasn't for thatI wouldn't hest
tate a minute" Miss Mcbride had
told Nellie she would have no trouble
getting good girls, because of the
slackening of business.
I'll see what 1 can do at once"
William said as he rose to go. Cora
was getting tired, then they all had
to be UP early. He pressed Cora's<
hand. looked lovingly and wistfully at
her, then hurried away.
Poor William" Cora said under
what they both longed for was impos-
s5ble. So> she tried not to dwell upon
it, thankful for his love
Nellie was rather distracted the
next day. The elder Mr.. Fallon was
out OF town. and she had a little work
for Mr.. George.
ATS anything wrong. Miss Riley? %
he asked kindly. He had noticed the
shadow on the lovely face. a face he
often thought the sweetest he ever
had seen.
mot with me. Mr.. Fallon.' ,.f.,..
with someone you care for?'' he
smiled~fhto the eyes raised TO his
Yes, with Cora"
"Who is Cora %
Nellie told him graphically all Cora
was to her; what she had done for
her Then she told of the acchtsot.
and encouraged by his interest. she
told of her plan to open little office
'Yut she's afraid of the rent. You
see she helps her mother" Nellie
finished.
At wonder" he paused looking
thoughtful There's a small room in
our suite we never have used. 1t is
very tiny, way at the end of the row,
but has door opening into the hall.
If it would answer her purpose she
might have it for very nominal
rent"
"oh, Mr. Falloni" again those won
derful eyes were raised in shining
thankfulness to him. "Oh, IL she only
could. ! will help pay the rent. so
will Gladys. the other girl who lives
with us. We keep house, we three
she naively added.
Tell her to come and see Il as soon
as she is able to get out"
There's no use trying to thank you
Il just can't!" Neliie's eyes were full
of tears.
I've had my thanks was his cryp-
tic answer, one that Nellie ofteh
thought of in the days that followed,
wondering what he meant.
(To be continued.)