The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-02
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
AT THE PLAY.
EuADTEP TX

The tickets gave the two girls
orchestra seats in the eighth row CEN
ter. They were early, and as the peo-
pie flocked in, Nellie's remarks often
convulsed Cord.
"Oh, dear why didn't I wear my
pale pink chiffon without any neck or
sleeves" she whispered as a large,
satisfied-looking blonde in. evening
dress seated herself in front of them.
Then: Look at that girl, Cora! How
does she keep her skirt on? There
amt no waist, nothing but them bead
straps"
There's a little waist, dear. Don't
talk so loud" Cora cautioned.
Them men in their walters clothes
don't look as If they was comfortable"
she went on. ''See that fat man fuss
with his collar"
The curtain went up, so Cora made
no answer, frowning at Nellie to keep
still. There was no need. She sat
on the extreme edge of her seat, her
cheeks flushed, her eyes shining. She
never had been to a play. She had
seen motion pictures a few times, but
this was different. This was beauti-
fully staged play where the people
they talked to each other, said things
that made people laugh and wore
Such wonderful costumes.
At the end of the first act, almost
peAore the curtain was doWnT Neile
drew a long breath and in a whisper
that could be heard by those near
them she breathed:
Gee! But that was great" =
"Sh-si" Cora cautioned, her face
flaming as people turned and smiled
at the pretty girl with bobbed hair and
big shining eyes.
For a moment Nellie was quiet.
then:
Cora, it must cost a lot to dress all
them people up like tina! All those
lovely dresses and hats and parasols.
"They always have lovely things in
musical comedy" Cora answered very
low
iii tell the world they dol"
Cora was thankful when the cur
tain again went up, altho she flushed
again when Nellie asked:
What do the men all go out for?
A drink ?"
"Sh-s-" Cora said again.
1t was after IL o'clock when the
show was, over. Then Cora had to
watch the people come out; watch
the doorman all the private cars;
watch the women with their lovely
wraps, their dainty slippers and stock
ings as they entered the cars
my. Cora. feel as If / had been
in another world!" Nellie said as they
walked away, the last to leave.
I'VE have. dear! A world of pleas
ure and fashion"
DO you suppose you and me will
ever have automobiles, and cloth eS
like those women had?'
mo, dear! But we may have money
enough to go often to. a good play II
we work hard to improve ourselves.
We don't have to have the kind of
seats we had tonight. I noticed they
cost $2.75 apiece, but we can have
seats in the gallery. After you get
yourself some clothes we must plan
to go once in a while-aA three of us.
Wasn't the music wonderful"
"And the clothes, and the people,
and everything?" Nellie added en-
thusia Stically.
Gladys was asleep. but without
conjunction Nellie wakened her, and
sitting on the bed rehearsed the en-
tire play for her benefit, throwing in
her quaint and comical remarks.
I'm so glad you had a good time"
Gladys said, yavSning. But If you
don't let me go to sleep I never shall
get up in the morning. Go to, bed
now, that's a good girl. You can tell
me the rest tomorrow" -
Obediently Nellie crept into her
narrow bed. but she scarcely slept at
all. The play, panorama-ike, repeat
ed before her eyes as she lay in the
darkness. The wonderful chorus. the
acts. Then the people! The. women,
the young girls with their beautiful
gowns. The handsome, well-groomed
men, the cars. 1t was a different
world, one she never could hope to
enter.
with a deep-drawn sigh, either of
enjoyment or regret, she finally slept.
And for the first time since they had
been together Cora had breakfast
ready when she wakened at Gladyss
call.
(Tomorrow-Nellie makes new ae-
quaintance.)