The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-03
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHFT pc
GLADYS MARRIEs WE'LL.
CHAPTER IS.


Miss Jones often talked rather seri-
ously to Nellie She once said:
Responsibility and promotion, Mel
lie, come oftenest to those who are
ready for them. If we are to succeed
in life we must be dependable: then
make ourselves necessary"
Nellie determined to make herself
necessary if possible. She knew she
was dependable as far as she could
be, but to be necessary-to Mr..
George; that would be worth while.
AS Nellie was on her way home one
AFTERNOON she met Hilda Moore-that
was. She had married the flashy fell
low she had taken up with after her
quarrel with John Erdman.
How are you, Hilda. and where do
you hve?" Nellie asked.
I'm all right" sulkily replied
Hilda. Then: You told the truth.
Nellie, when you said I'd be Jumping
from the frying pan into the fire If
married Bert. God knows I've tried,
but he's SO selfish. just as you said.
II the kids and I go ragged and hun
cry. You sized him up all right. I'm
leaving him. That's why I'm down
here trying to get job"
GO to Miss Mcbride, Hilda, and I'll
tell Cora. Perhaps she'll have a place
Tor you She hires a good many girls
at times" Then: How many chill
dren have you, Hilda?"
Two, the twins you joked about.
They're awful sweet, Nellie. If 1T
wasn't for them I'd die. I hear John
Erdman is doing awful well.''
Yes, he has got on famously" Nell
lie replied, then changed the subject
Hilda had been fond of John, had
Sone with the irresponsible fellow she
married out of pique, had married
him because she was tired of working,
wanted good times, poor Hilda. Nellie
asked her to bring the children to- see
her, but she never did. She received
a short note a few days after their
meeting saying Hilda had taken her
children and gone back to the little
town where her parents lived.
81 was sure marrying that fellow
wouldn't bring her happiness" Cora
said when Nellie told her of -T1ilda.
We working girls do get tired, long
for different life at times. But be-
cause we have been working girls, had
our independence, and our own pay
envelopes, we are perhaps less likely
to be contented than the home girl,
and should be even more careful than
they whom we marry"
Gladys was to be married. Cora had
no fears for her happiness however
She was to marry a young accountant,
a refined fellow of good habits who
earned fine salary. He had rented a
small apartment in a nice house in
good locality, and had made it coy
and comfortable. Gladys wasn't to go
to business after they were married
Il want a home" Andrew Blake
said, land a dear little woman named
Gladys in it, Gladys had introduced
him to the girls, and repeated his re-
mark.
Hes the right kind, Gladys, not
because he doesn't want you to work,
love him." Cora said. "And he can
take care of you. I know you will be
very happy"
Going to ask us to the wedding?"
Nellie queried, because if you don't
I'll come anyway. I never have been
the church at The Coxners. Then I
couldn't see very well because I had
to keep crouching down in the pew SO
Miss Carter wouldn't see me-"
'tOf course you are coming" Gladys
returned laughing.
She was married in the Little
Church Around the Corner, with two
friends of Andrews, and Cora and
Nellie as witnesses
After the wedding the girls saw
Gladys only occasionally, altho some
times they dined with her on Sum-
days. She called on them once in a
while, but she had her home duties,
and both Nellie and Cora were busy.
Her marriage was an extremely happy
one, and she grew almost beautiful, SO
contented was she.
Happiness shows in peoples faces,
doesn't it Cora?" Nellie said.
Eyes, dear-and unhappiness also,
unless we are strong enough to hide
it"
Cora had hidden her grief. her I'M
happiness always. AS Nellie left her,
she thought:
st will hide mine. I won't let it
spoil my life, or make Cora unhappy"
So lonely was Nellie, so alone, that
Cora was the only one who would
grieve should unhappiness come to
her-unless dear old Mrs. Roberts
would also sorrow.
lTnrn nrrnw-An aftemnt TO hide I'M