The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-28
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
DOROTHY FALLON's VISITS
DEGREES NELLIE.
Chapter 81.

Il
DEGREES NELLIE.
Chapter 81.
The elder Mr.. Fallon was still away,
and Nellie was constantly in Mr..
Georges office-to her delight. She
never analysed this feeling, but felt
happy contentment when near him,
even when Miss Jones sat beside him
taking his more important dictation
while work of less value was assigned
to her. Often she would glance up
and gaze for a moment on her en-
ployer's profile, and say to herself:
THERE'S no one like llim-no one
in the whole world
But Nellies calm happiness was oc-
casionally interrupted, altho she
scarcely realized it-never gave it
name. On the days when Miss Dor
othy visited the office-and in her
cousinly way took possession of Mr..
George, and joked with him. often
going to lunch, or carrying him off
earlier than usual because Of some en-
gagement she had made for him
Nellie felt a depression that she tried
in vain to shake off.
Miss Dorothy was always kind, never
failed to speak pleasantly to her, at
times stopping to chat a moment be-
side her desk. Nellie admired the
gay, 1ight-hearted girl immensely. Her
lovely clothes, SO simply cut, yet so
envy, but a desire to dress appropri-
ately, as Cora had taught her-and as
she was sure Miss Dorothy always
did. She could not help overhearing
the plans for whatever they were go
ing to do, and noticed that Miss Dor
ofhy was always dressed for the occa>
sion, whether it was a yachting trip or
q luncheon.
'1She knows how-it isn't all the
money" Nellie said to herself. Then
one day she learned from something
that was said that Miss Dorothy de-
signed her own clothes-her dress
maker simply carrying out her ideas.
'I was sure she had something to do
with her Clothes" she told Miss Jones
after Dorothy left. They look like
her"
Eyes, they express her individuality
But it takes great deal of time and
thought to dress distinctively. We
working women don't have time to
think very much Of clothes beyond
being neat"
Vim going to try to learn what suits
can't have lovely things like she does''
Nellie's interest in Miss Dorothy,
however. did not lessen the depres-
sion she felt after her visits to the
office. She was annoyed, wondered
why she felt as she did: as if some
thing unpleasant had happened, some
thing affecting her adversely.
"Aren'N1ou feeling well?" Miss
Jones asked one day after Dorothy had
carried her cousin away despite his
protests. He had declared he couldn't
laughingly called her teaze, and then
given in. -
yes. why?" Nellie answered.
"You looked so serious, and spoke
to you, twice before you answered
me-
sfE.xc1Sa mo 7 m, Sorrx,0
Miss Jones looked keenly at Nellie.
mot thinking of young Horne, were
yoH?1 she asked with smile.
Mercy no! Why should I think of
him 2"
I'm very much mistaken If he
| doesn't think often of you. He's a
nice boy, Nellie.'
Hes all right to run around with"
Nellie's answer was so carelessly in
different that Miss Jones was satisfied
she cared nothing for Donald Horne.
| save as friend. Nellie was a queer
| girl, never showed any interest in the
boys and young men as other girls in
her position usually did; never talked
Of them.
] Miss Jones admired this trait in the
young girl, a1tho she felt it peculiar.
Nellie was SO full of fun, SO bright,
| so sure to be attractive to the other
sex, that her indifference seemed al
most unnatural.
I've never mad Tnuch use Tor men,
she said when Miss Jones laughing
| ly spoke of her indifference. you
wouldn't either if you had lived in
| Miss Carriers boarding house at the
Corners and heard those travelling
men talk. I learned too much about
them-how they get girls to do fool
ish things, then laugh at them after
ward. 1t was a long time ago, but
I've never forgotten one word they
said. or how they used to brag about
what they could do with the girls they
met. 1t makes me sick every time 1
think of it. They put me wise all
right"
"Perhaps they did you a service.
| Nellie Miss Jones answered, but
you mustn't think all men are bad
There are many fine conscientious
men in the world
Some perhaps" Nellie replied, her
thoughts on Mr.. George. He was fine.
She was sure he was good But he
was only one. Her opinion OF men in
general had not changed.
(Tomorrow-An accident and an
awakening-)