The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-22
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
DUGGANS SYMPATHY is
WELCOME.


Chapter So.
whatever shall do?" Nellie asked
herself as Cora, with her trunk and
small belongings, disappeared around
window, her eyes blurred with tears,
as the trunk was lifted upon the taxi
and the bundles disposed inside. Then
with a last wave of her hand, Cora en-
| tered the cab and drove away.
"We'll see each other Often" Cora
had said. "At the office and other
places" But she realized, as did Nell
/ lie, that their old companionship was
a thing of the pasts that her new
drsies. new responsibilities would
separate them.
Nellie threw herself on the couch
| and burst into a storm of tears Her
little world had crumbled about her
feet. She'w again little, lonely, Nell
| lie Riley of Hudson Corners The
door opened and Duggan said:
"Shure, Miss Nellie, it's bad I'm
feelin' meself. It's the foine likely
young ladies you all was It'll be
mony day before Wen have the likes
of. yees in these rooms again" He
wiped his eyes, and blew his nose with
a resounding blast.
| "Indade it will, Dugg9nt Nellie re-
piled to, the janitor as she always did.
There amt no more like her. Bed
cess to that old manhole."
| There's one just as good as her"
Duggan said so low'Nellie did not hear.
and looking at her with admiring eyes,
Then: "What'l yees be afther doin'
Miss? Will yees be>a Twin close by
me ould eyes will be achin' fur "a sight
of your bonnie face"
| There, Duggan! You must have
kissed the Barney Stone this morn
ing!" She laughed a little, but seeing
| the really forlorn look on his face she
! added: 81 don't know what I'm going
/ to do, Duggan. I feel as If everyone
had died but just you and me. Come;
help me look the things over or I'll
cry again."
| Duggan, with pencil and paper. told
| her what he thought he could get for
| the things, always supposing whoever
rented the flat did not take them.
''Sefi them as fast as you can. Dug
gan. If the beds go I'll hang myself
on a peg until I find place. I can't
bear to stay here alone. l can't bear
it now Cora's gone" Her eyes filled
again.
lyour pretty eyes are all red now Mrs.
Duggan will sit with you If you likes"
mo, I'll get along" quickly replied
Nellie. She was fond of Duggan but
his garrulous wife was no favorite
with her, and now she felt she could
not endure her.
-"She do talk lot" Duggan read
her thoughts.
Nellie laughed her old ringing
laugh.
"Yes-she doH'. she agreed.
After Duggan left she returned to
her problem-where- to live?
I'll not think of it any more to-
night. I'll ask Miss Jones about it in
1.-THE morning. Perhaps she knows
some decent place where I'll meet
nice sort of people. I can afford to
live nicely now, and I'm going to!
Live where I\can learn things, hear
nice people \talk, AID be somebody
myself. 1 never would have left Cora,
but now we're all busted up. here
I'm going to get in the. right place
liz I have to move every day for a
lmonthl"
Comforted by her decision. Nellie
slept soundly. In the morning she
even huE med a little as she fried her
bacon. just two strips instead of four.
"One cup, you billy!' she said aloud.
as she put two on the table. Then
she ran to the door. She had heard
lDuggan in the hall.
Come in here, you Irishman. and
get cup of coffee. The tables all
bled. 1t wasn't easy to be gay this
first morning alone.
'Shure, it's proud I be to take it!''
lDuggan said, his face, on a broad grin.
It's foine coffee yees make. Miss
Nellie. I'll be afther tellin' Mrs. Dug
gan yees have her beat"
II wouldn't, Duggan. Women don't
like to hear such, things"
4 Its good it'll do her! She's think
in she's the best cook out of aid Ire
land. Uhank you. miss"
(Tomorrow-Cnder Miss Jones'
wing.)