The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-13
A Stenogrdpher's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
AN ENGAGEMENT RING AND
HAPPINESS
CHAPTER II

Chapter n.
Seated beside him in his car. Nellie
gave herself up to her happiness He
had torn to shreds her every objection.
Surely he was wiser than she and. IL
he could see no complications in their
mating, she, ought to trust him and
take the good the go0s had provided
her.
At famous jewellers they selected
a ring. He laughed gayly at Nellie's
modest taste, her look of almost awe
as the salesman named the price or
the beautiful stones he displayed. At
last they agreed upon a medium sized
diamond of purest wa,er and when he
slipped it on her finger. after they re-
entered the car. hs kissed both the
ring and her finger.
For luck, and her happiness" he
said.
of his love; how it had grown daily
as he watched her. And II was very
proud and happy girl he left at Mrs.
Dotys door.
turned, but not for long. She was too
happy. And the ring on her finger
seemed to promise permanence OF that
happiness.
She wouldn't take 1t off-not so
soon-so she turned the stone around
afterward when she went in to tell
Mrs. Roberts 1t spark 81 It's i@+@lli-
gence before she opened her mouth.
You look very happy, Nellie. Eave
you something to tell me?''
Indeed L have! The most wonder
full thing in the world" Then with
many bushes she told ner story: told
of how she had at first refused to
! listen because of the difference in
their station; of her fears, and of his
a
told him all about myself. everything,
but he said nothing nnattered save
that we loved each other. Then he
took me to buy my ring. Isn't it
loveIy?"
VERY, dear. And am very glad
of your happiness" Yet the old
lady's eyes were troubled. IT sup
pose you'll be leaving the office at
once ?"
He. Mr.. George, wanted me to. But
I told him should stay until earned
enough to buy some new clothes.
| wouldn't take anything from him be-
fore-not money And 1 won't get
married until 1 have things SO he
won't be ashamed of me-
81 don't think from what you have
told me of him he ever would be that.
Nellie. But I admire your indepeIrd
ence. He will respect you for it. am
| sure. Will you tell the .otners?" Mean
ing the boarders.
mo, 1 can't help it If they suspect
| but 1 shant tell anyone but you-and
| perhaps Donald. He'll be glad for
me-"
| Would he? Mrs. Roberts wondered.
| She knew that of late he had been
more hopeful; that he was building air
castles that when utterly demolished
would cause him much>sorrow. But
she said nothing. Nellie now was be-
yOnd his reach.
For an hour Nellie chatted of her
| happiness, then tired with her emo
| lions she crept off to bed. to sleep
and dream of her Mr.. George. OF dia-
mond engagement rings; of a mar
! riage ceremony
And in Mrs. Roberts room Donald.
/ coming in late and hoping TO find
| Nellie there, was having his hopes
crushed. Mrs. Roberts told him OF
| the engagement, of Nellie's happiness.
! but not to sleep. All night he sat by
the window, fighting the sorrow that
| had come upon him. the destruction
! of his hopes. Nellie never must
know-but how was he to bear it?
He has wealth. position. every
| thing! Why couldn't I have her ?"
he murmured. Yet when he saw Nellie
it was in even, comradely terms he
| congratulated her; wished her all the
happiness in the world.
| IT knew you would be pleased" she
said, blushing. You and Mrs. Rob
erts are the only ones 1 shall tell
! here in the house. OF course / shall
! tell Cora and Gladys at once. But [
don't want Miss Pitt telling me I
should have asked her ADVICE" And
| Nellie laughed heartily at the con-
ceit.
''She loves him ALI right" Donald
| said, and if he had no nose for news
that day he was not to be blamed.
And. of course. he loves her. No
| one could help it."
| (Tomorrow-An upsetting visit from
Dorothy Fallon.)