The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-29
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
A SPECIAL DELIVERY LETTER.

Chapter So.
What ever should we do without
you, Nellie, and-what shall we do
with you9" Gladys said laughing as
them alone. You little rogue, flirting
first with Dugan, and then with the
agent Aren't you ashamed of your
self?''
mot a biti And it wasn't flirting.
1t was using what Cora calls tact
We'll, / only hope Dugan is mar
ried. He'll be running off with you
If he isn't
He is! asked him. Seven chill
dren and the Missis-"
Then I guess we're safe.''
While they were joking, Cora had
been looking around, inspecting the
stove carefully, and occasionally MAX
ing a note on her slip of paper. When
Dugan came back she said:
What will you charge us to wash
the windows and clean this stove up
so it looks like new? / can see it is
in good condition, except it is dirty,
clogged UP in places"
''Shure the windes won't cost you
nothin', Miss. I always do them wfin
the new tenants come in, and the
stove, well it is dirty-how does SO
cents strike your
That's all right But do it right,
Dugan. I want it perfectly clean.
Wen come at o'clock tomorrow
night to select the paper She turned
to Gladys: Wen come right from
work" Then again to Dugan: TITS
Monday, will you have it all ready by
Saturday."
"Yis, Miss, but the floor won't be
dry-not if you have three coats"
Wen live in the other rooms until
it is. The principal thing is to get to
work at once"
MY mon will go at it first thing in
the morning. He'll paint the kitchen
first like you said, Miss
You can trust an Irishman, can't
she, Dugan?" Nellie flashed her sweet
est smile on him. -E-
''Shure they kim
Three happy girls hurried home to
clear away the supper things, Cora
and Gladys still chatting Nellie. Fin
You said Mr.. Robinson was very
different. Nellie. Perhaps in spite of
his anger he respected you for repuls-
ing him. But l can scarcely yet un-
derstand how he forgave you demand
ing your salary and making him give
you a reference by threatening him
when you left him. You are sure you
didn't say or act as if you intended
to make him give you this reference?"
mo, Cora, cross my heart. Il-was
as meek as Moses. I told him. just
what I said I did, and not a word
more. ! would have made him give
it to me, but didn't have to-. He was
really awfully nice about it. Old
EoIilAtu was as pfASS0 dS L was
could tell by his face. And it did the
trick. didn't it?"
Yes, dear. and I haven't any feel
ing about it SO long as you made no
threats to tell his wife to get it,
while you two clean up this awful
looking place" Cora said when they
reached their room, II will write to
mother to send us every single thing
she isn't using, no matter how old
and worn. I know a man will help
hnm ~x-ff fof holr in
many ways"
You can imagine the happy talk
while Gladys and Nellie cleared away.
Nellie fairly dubbed, and Gladys was
no less happy.
ut doesn't seem true that we are
to have that nice little place all to
ourselves she said. ct feel go happy
over it, We will have to be very care
full not to be too extravagant. I can
already see myself longing for-oh,
lots of things! A big reading lamp
with a rose colored shade, a bookcase,
muslin curtains, and. oh. lot of other
things!"
"And/I can sees myself eating a
square meal. Every time I looked at
that stove I tasted things we would
cook on it." Nellie returned. you
can have your bookcase, as soon as
we have any chairs to sit on so we
Miss Carriers made one out OF boxes,
painted it. and hung little curtain
in front of the books. 1t was awfu1ly
pretty. But I guess youth have, to
wait awhile for rose colored shades
and muslin curtains"
run out and mail this. Nellie dear.
I'm too tired to move" Cora gave her
the letter she had written, and two
cents to buy a stamp at the drug store.
Nellie added ten more for a special
delivery.
ct knew the Corners!' she muttered
as she dropped the letter in the box.
They'll get this to, Mrs Baker double
quick SO they can know what's in it,"
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Talks of Mr..
GenrRel y