The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-06
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
CORA. TAKES POSSESSION OF
HER OFFICE.
CHAPTER 40.


"Oh, Cora, isn't it great? You'll be-
right near me all the timer' Nellie
declared as the three girls discussed
Cora's new idea, and her new office.
Where in the world did you go this
morning."
ddced you. YOU didn't want me to stay
and watch you yamp him, did you?''
Nellie asked with laugh Then:
isn't he just fine. Cora? He treated
you just the same as he does the young
ladies Miss Dorothy brings to the Of
flee, just that same polite manner"
He is very attractive man, a
gentleman. A real gentleman, Nellie,
does not keep one manner for certain
people, and another for others. He
is gentlemanly to all. I am SO happy
over having that furniture That was
one of the things that worried me
how was to get the furniture even If
I found an office. I had decided to
buy it on the installment plan. But 1
hate debt so, and this will be all in
the rent. And such a small rent for
an office in that building!"
TITS a small office" Nellie said,
land if I were you, Cora, 1 bet
wouldn't worry about the small rent.
Perhaps if you ask them to. they will
raise your"
1t was the goth of the month. Mr..
Fallon had told Cora her rent would
month. but had given her the key and
told her to take possession at once.
1T gives me ten whole days to get
| ready" she said gleefully.
"Shan you hare girl?" Gladys
! asked. -
mot until I get started and get
work enough to warrant it. I shall do
it myself while 1 can"
I'm afraid it will be just as hard,
maybe harder than working for some
one else" Gladys went on. You will
! be so anxious to do all you can" Nell
lie broke in:
"I tell you what, Cora. You take
all the work you can get and what
you can't do, bring home and I'll do
it for YOU.
mo. Nellie, you work all day, that's
enough without doing my work eve
nings"
IT only mean until you get started
get so rich you won't need me. 1t
won't hurt me a bit to work a little
evenings here at home; it's different
| from in an office somewhere. One
| can stop and talk between times here.
| or do it any time they please. Please
do as I want you to, Cora. my heart
will be broke if you don't!"
DO say 'broken'" Gladys inter-
rupted. 'And, Cora, I'll help, too.
You have done o lot of things for us.
| It's too bad if we can't do something
| for you"
Tears filled Cora's eyes
ST can't stand so much kindness,
girls" she smiled as she wiped them
away. Il have been so afraid-afraid
because of mother-and some way
God is making everything all right
for me-"
Miss Carter always said God helps
them that helps themselves Nellie
quoted, Il guess the old dame was
right. I didn't think SO then-when
she said it, because I grumbied."
| When Cora let herself into the room
that was now hers-she had gone
there at once altho she intended to
visit Mr.. Fallons office later and give
him the first months rent-she found
to her surprise, the cleaning woman
at work and a rug on the floor. Surely
it had not been there before.
| Good morning. Miss Baker, Mr..
Fallon stand in the doorway. She
had been SO surprised to see the wo-
man she had not closed it.
| Good morning" she answered,
then: Il want to thank you for the
rug. Mr. Fallon. liam quite sure I
owe 1t to you" Her frank acceptance
and manner on the previous day.
| II found it had been discarded as
| being too small. so 1 tried 1t here.
He took the rent, signed a receipt for
a month. then said in low tone:
Your office will be kept clean for you.
Don't feel binder any obligations" as
she started to object; I'VE pay for 1t
anyway. It goes with our suite of
rooms, you know"
| at must thank you just the same"
she smiled at him. Il have an office
ready TO start my work instead OF a
bare room"
| He fingered chatting a moment.
then left her. Could Cora have heard
him mutter: shes a good person to
be with Nellie" she might have
thought it due to Nellie that he had
been SO more than kind to her.
| She sought the superintendent of
the building, got the address of a man
| to letter the door calling herself &c.
/ Baker" it being no ones business If
she were man or woman SO long as
her work was we'll done. Then she
bought supplies. just enough to begin.
later, if she got on, she would try
to buy wholesale.
| JTomorrow-Della Black writes to
Cora)