The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-21
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
CORA,s SORROW AND HER
RESPONSIBILITY.
CHAPTER SIS.

William Dalton, the man Cora
Baker loved, had been killed He
was hurrying home when an explo-
sion blew the cover from a man-hoie
and he was terribly injured by piece
OF iron, dying soon afterward. AT first
Cora was so dazed she could hardly
realize her strong, healthy, young
lover was gone. To Nellie, who tried
to comfort, she said:
9He had a premonition that some
thing was going to happen 10 MIN.
When he was up the other night ne
told me so. 1 made him a promise.
Nellie, but never dreamed-of TINS
l-so-soon."
What did you promise, Cora ?"
THAT 1 would go and five with MS
mother, look after her. He lett m
surance-quite a lot-for him. Saio
he often had been, tempted to drop
some of it. because of the strain Oh
keeping up the payments, the close
economy he had to practice to meet
them 1t will be enough to take care
of her. but she has no one now-ano
Twill keep my word.
Nellie said not a word to dissuaoc
her, altho her face saddened as she
looked about the little flat. 1t would
now have to be broken up and she
go into some rooming house again.
After Gladys marriage she and cora
had discussed asking some other girl
to take her place so they might stay
on; but now she would not want TO
stay, even could she find two girls TO
take their places. II wouldn't seem
like home with Cora gone. But un-
se.fishly she hid, her sorrow, and tried
to comfort the girl she loved.
TT will be like beginning all over
been so happy here" But she helped
Cora pack, saw the agent and gave
could to help the sorrowing girl who
said little of her grief, but whose pale
face and dark circled eyes told OF
suffering.
I'm SO glad I am my own boss"
Cora said as she talked of going. II
can plan better for his mother than
if I were employed. She is crushed.
shall he with her for a time as
much as 1 can, Miss Green "a girl in
Cora's employ can do very we'll now,
she really Is very capable. 1 hate to
leave you, Nellie. but it is. my duty;
I had ebeen married" Her lips quiv-
cred. 1t would have been easier to
bear had they, she thought-ff she
had his name!
"why don't you bring your own
mother on?' Nellie asked. knowing 1t
would be a comfort to Cora.
mo, it wouldn't be fair to mother.
All her friends are at The Corners. She
is more or less an invalid. She and
Mrs Dalton might not be congenial,
!
| never should know-mother is that
! kind. No, she must stay where she
has her old friends-it wouldn't be
right" Yet the idea had been a pleas
easier to bear. But Cora Baker was
one of earth's unselfish ones, poor and
| insignificant tho she was.
| you're the best girl in the world"
Nellie exclaimed. as she .impulsively
| kissed her. the very best!"
nVHlx w. "a n n n a II
think is right. ] make many, very
many mistakes. What shall you do,
NeIlie?'
"soh, I'll get alonsl Don't worry.
I've cut my eye teeth new, and no one
can put anything over on me--net il
little Nellie knows it. The agent says
he won't rent until the first of the
| month. that's ten days. Ill find q place
after yon get moved. i shall. sell what
you don't want. Duggan says he'll
and I, will divide the money between
us You select what you want, and
I'll look after the rest"
1T seems almost as IL had died, too,
Nellie. As IL it was some strange girl
doing what / must do, hope can
comfort his mother. She is fond OF
me but-he was her SON"
1t was true that Mrs. Dalton was
fond of Cora. William had taken her
to see her mother several times. Per-
haps her refusal to marry William
may have endeared her to the mother,
whose love for her boy Almost amount
ed to worship. But Cora knew she
never could take williams place. Her
only hope was to help the invalid
bear her loss by being all she could
to her.
Nellie thought It had been a bit
selfish In William TO bind Cora to such
a promise; to take upon her young
shoulders the responsibility Of his
iat,,o \ h - & 10, Il
left her fairly provided for: but she
did not say so. 1t would hurt Cora
(Tomorrow-Duggan' sympathy is
II. welcome.3