The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-07
A Stenoerdpher's
Romance
nv gANE PHET pc
BY JANE PHELPS
An AWKWARD MEETING.
CHAPTER ~.

Donald and Nellie strollsd slowly no
the Avenue. stopping to look into the
windows wherever the curtains did
not shut out their view OF the display.
When they reached the Park. Donald
benches and rest before returning.
Donald talked gayly for half an
hour Donald telling Nellie of his aspir-
atoms, that he had written story that
had been accepted by popular maya
zine, and of others he had in mind.
you won't be an editor now. will
you? You'll be an author
"Oh, I don't know about thati Sell
ing one story means nothing. have
had dozens returned"
"But perhaps you didn't send them
to the right people," Nellie replied.
She thought it wonderful to be able
to put ones thoughts into words, TO
write and sell stories. But we must
go back. I promised Mrs. Roberts to
come in a few moments before 1 went
to bed"
Unwillingly, Donald rose and they
walked slowly down past the brill
hliantly lighted entrance to the Plaza
| Hotel.
| ! Down the steps came George Fallon
and another man. The former stopped
abruptly, raised his hat. his face I'M
smiling. then stepped into motor.
followed by his companion.
Nellie felt the blood rush to her
face. Oh. why had she left the house?
There had been something in Falion's
unsmiiing looks that drained all hap
piness from her; that made her feel
he might think she had deceived him;
that there was something between her
and Donald Horne.
There was no reason she should feel
ashamed Of Donald. He was tall,
straight. neatly dressed. Yet she almost
hated him as they walked side by side
down the Avenue. all her vivacity
gone; her desire to look at pretty
things" forgotten. When Donald spoke
i of 1t. she answered impatientiy:
I'm tired! I want to get home"
The next morning at breakfast tho
acid faced woman remarked:
Did you have pleasant walk last
night, Miss Riley?"
''No-Yes!" Nellie, who had passed
an almost sleepless night, snapped. p
| Love is a thing of bliss. the poets
tell u.s." Miss Pitt smirked at Nellie,
as she said it, then cast a meaning
glance about the table.
II should think, Miss Pitt. that II
might depend lot upon whether that
love was mutual. 1t might be he'll for
one of the party, instead of bliss"
ooh. Miss Riley!" Miss Pitt
breathed in shocked tone.
Miss Riley is right. Miss Pitt" Mrs.
:, /
mutual affair 1t is not happiness.
take 1t you are talking of love between
men and women"
! Yes, altho it is q subject I seldom
! discuss
zone needs to know about a thing
I to talk about it," Nellie exclaimed in
her old impudent manner. a manner
she now seldom used; then rose from
/ the table and flounced out of the
, room. much to Mrs. Roberts amuse-
3 ment. She had no patience with Miss
Pitt, and her old-maidish ways.
r Mr.. Fallon said good morning as
= usual, but that was~ali. Save to die
{ tate his letters he made no converse
ton with Nellie. hardly looked in her
direction all day. 1t was. Saturday. On
I Monday she would take Miss Jones
o place, occupy her desk, SO near. Mr.
e Gallons. srt
e "Oh, why did he have to see me
e and what does he. think? : don't dare
e say a word. but I'll bet he thinks
= Her hat was on, she was about tc
leave, when he said:
i, Did you have pleasant walk las
i night"
Eyes. Mr.. Horne asked me to go Il
. a movie, but 1t was such a lovely
: night I asked him to walk instead.
4 like to look in the windows on tn
lAvenue." She had spoken simply, in
e tuitively. knowing that with him !
q was best.
rs that the man that lives at you
boarding house?"
Yes. the newspaper man." Tier
1 f'I had promised to see Mrs. Roberts
e the old lady I told you of. so couldn'
Is be out long"
e Did his face brighten. look happier
or was it her imagination? He oat'
e good night in his old genial manner
making some remark about her new
e duties which would begin on Monday
Even Miss Pitt could not annoy Mel
II lie at dinner. Nothing mattered !
Mr.. George was not displeased witt
# her. fro ,s continued,