The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-20
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
THE BoARDERs CONGRATULATE
NELLIE
CHAPTER $50.

It had become known in the board
ing house that Nellie was to marry
Mr.. Fallon. Most of the boarders
were kind, and congratulated her nice
position, however, added after saying
a few conventional words:
such marriages aren't always
happy. I have always believed a wom-
an should marry in her own class
And what would you consider my
class ?'' Nellie asked, annoyed.
''Why-a stenographer-1fke your
self, or a boollkeeper perhaps Then
there are mary men in trades who
are far more suitable husbands for a
working girl than a rich society man.
That is only my opinion, of course
'tOf course, You never have tried
either class I notice" Nellie seldom
answered now in her old impudent
way; but Miss Pitt always made her
uncomfortable, and this time she had
hit upon sensitive point with Nellie.
mo, cared too much for my indie
pendence,' Miss Pitt quickly replied.
Marriage is a sort of slavery at best
for a woman. Naturally, I have
had my chances" she pursed her lips,
"but as I said, 1 am too fond of my
independence"
'sNaturally-no one would ever
think you would be passed by by men
looking for an agreeable wife," Nellie
returned, then sorry she had been so
disa greeable she added:
Thank you, Miss Pitt, for your
good wishes
Mrs. Roberts always breakfasted in
her room and she asked Nellie to join
her while she remained in the house.
'1t will give US a chance for a little
chat before you begin on your sew
ing" she said kindly. She was a bit
worried over Nellie. She didn't seem
as happy as she had when she first
I, M L,
she acted actively unhappy. 1t was
more as if she were worried over
something.
mo matter how long I live or what
happens 1 never shall forget how kind
you have b zen to me-" Nellie said i'm
could be kinder to her own daughter
the mothers I have known anyway"
ct feel almost like a mother toward
you, dear" Mrs. Roberts replied. you
have brought new interest into an
old woman's life. If I have helped
you; you also have helped me. So we
are as men say, quits
Mr.. Fallon came often to carry Mel
lie away for hour or two. He was as
kind, as loving as ever, perhaps more
so. His gifts came as usual, and he
still complained that Nellie would take
so little from him. He had met Mrs.
Roberts and had liked her at once;
told Nellie she was fortunate, that he
was pleased she had such a friend.
Mrs. Roberts said to him:
Nellie has brought great deal OF
brightness into an old wornan's life in
the last few months, Mr.. Fallon.
know she will. into yours I have
learned to. love her very dearly"
mo one could help loving her
think" he had replied.
Mrs. Roberts at times talked rather
seriously to Nellie, especially since she
had noticed the worried expression so
often on her face. She had asked no
would confide in her. 1t was prob
ably some trifling matter, another
faux pas when out with Mr.. Fallon
perhaps. During one of their break
fast talks she said:
without great love between a man
and a woman, Nellie dear, there is no
essential happiness; the unavoidable
association, so constant, the pin pricks,
the large and small worries and an
noyances which, cannot be done away
with entirely are unbearable. To my
mind two great wrongs are perpe-
trated when two people who aren't
suited to each other; who, without
great love for and understanding of
each other, marry. A woman wrongs
herself, her better nature; she wrongs
and cheats the man and-also if there
are children she wrongs them. 1 feel
very KeenIy on THIS subject, TNeAi1e.
have seen so much unhappiness from
ill-mated marriages, marriages with
out deep love and respect"
After Nellie left Mrs Roberts she
thought of what she had said. She
loved George Fallon. He loved her.
But would the little pin-pricks Mrs. |
Roberts spoke of. the difference in
their station, make him lose his love
make a difference in hers, when she
found she couldn't meet his expecta-
tons? He had spoken of how happy
he would be to have a mistress as well
as a master in his beautiful home;
had talked of her assuming her duties |
as a hostess to his many society
friends.
Can I ever do it? Won't he be
ashamed of me?" she asked herself{
over and over when alone. Yet. in |
two weeks more she was to be mar |
ried.
(Tomorrow-Nel1ie talks with Mrs. |
Roberts.)