The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-04
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHEI
An ATTEMPT TO HIDE UNHaPPI-
NESS
Chapter SO.

Chapter SO.
Miss Jones, by her handling of Nell
lie, had aroused her initiative.
There are times when an employer
is away, or when business is brisk, that
one has to use their own judgment to
a certain extent" she told her. THE
average business man may not perhaps
look for it, may not expect it. But the
big man, the man of big business and
ideas, both expects and appreciates it
in an employe close to himself"
Nellie had taken an interest in fill
ing, and worked out many little i'm
provements for the file clerk, rather a
plodding sort OF a girl. When Mr.. Fall
lon found 1T out he was much pleased,
altho he pretended to scold, saying:
\ You mustn't work too hard. We
can't have you getting ILL.,"
I'm too tough to get sick" Nellie
had answered rather brusquely; then
turned away that he might not see the
pleased look in her eyes. He had
thought of her, feared she might be-
come i'll.
Acting upon Mrs. Robertss advice
Nellie had commenced taking books
from the library, many books of n seri-
Gus nature, as well as lighter reading.
IN one of the former she read:
"A girl who is in earnest, who is a
sincere worker. bears in mind her
work is not for today or tomorrow.
That perhaps it iS~for life. She is not
sure-she cannot be sure that she will
meet any man for whom she will care
enough to give up her freedom, her in
dependent income. So she wisely
shapes her course for business career
which will furnish her not only living
wages, but an interesting occupation;
one in which she is contented, and to
which she gives the best she has.
Equip yourselves in the line you have
chosen as if you were going to spend
your lives in 1t. If you do marry and
have homes of your own the very eff
fort you have made to raise yourself
above the common herd will strength
en- you, will make you a better Asife
and mother"
Nellie thought long of this passage.
She would never marry-but she
that the firm could not afford to let
her go; SO they would let her spend
her life with them-perhaps.
Donald Horne looked almost as mis-
cradle as did Nellie. He had thought
he was making Roadway with his
tered himself it had gone beyond
simple liking. Now all suddenly she
was almost as a stranger to him. He
asked her to the theater. she excused
herself, but he knew she had no en-
gagement, because when he came in
the door ajar. and he heard her
talking.
He sent her gay little punches of
flowers, a box of candy. She thanked
him sweetly, but with none of the old
vfvacity. She avoided him when she
could, not because of anything he
had done, but she was in no mood to
talk to him or anyone. altho 1t would
have been good for her. His bright
companionship would have taken her
out of herself.
Finally he decided he must have
done something to offend her, and
| waylaying her one night he asked if
| he had.
"Why, no! Whatever made you
think that?" she asked. surprised.
"You have seemed to avoid me, re-
fused to go out with me, even when !
he said smiling a little, as he always
did when referring to his free seats.
ct have been busy, and-tired," Mel
| lie stammered.
at have seats for Good Morning,
| Dearie,' will you go tonight"
isn't it too late?'
mot if you hurry"
every we'll, I'll go!'' she said impul-
sively. She might as well. 1t would
| help her to forget her love for Mr..
Fallon was a hopeless one: And she
must do as Cora said. hide her unhap-
pSness from the world
THANK youi I am sure you will
enjoy it," was all Donald said. But
once again his hopes arose. Perhaps
| he had imagined her GOODNESS, her
| avoidance of him. She said she was
tired. and she was such a tiny little
creature. OF course working every
day as she did tired her. If he were
only rich-only had more money, he
would ask her to let him take care OF
her always.
| (Tomorrow-A new interest in life