The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-22
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
CORA DISCUSSES A NEW
VENTURE
CHAPTER 50.

CORA DISCUSSES A NEW
VENTURE.
CHAPTER SO.
The girls had for some time been
doing as Nellie had suggested when
she took her position with Fallon d
Son. That is, each, took turns of a
week in taking care of the meals. Yet
often when it was Cora'S turn, the
other two would find ways of helping
her; pretending they wanted some
thing and hated to go out. This
obliged her to take a walk, and then
the girls hurried the work out of the
way before she returned. She saw
thru their little excuses, but fearing to
hurt them, said nothing.
"Girls, you will think I have lost
my senses" Cora said one day, but
do you think could run an Officer"
Like Miss McBride?" Nellie, asked
wide-eyed.
mo: not like hers. I don't know
enough, couldn't afford to wait to
build up clientele, if 1 were Then I
doubt If I am strong enough. There's
a lot of responsibility connected with
such a business as hers. But I've been
wondering if could take little room
in a big office building. and supply
girls to do extra work just in that
building. Do it myself until 1 get
started. William was telling me
about a girl he knew who had built
up quite q nice business that way.
Take work in the office as well as
sending girls to the other offices"
William Dalton was with Cora fire.
quently. Neither flattered themselves
they could marry, altho they had
tacitly acknowledged they cared for
each other. He. like the two girls,
was anxious about Cora, and it really
was he who had suggested the idea
of a public stenographer's office to
her. thinking the change might do
her good.
Neither of them ever complained.
William adored his invalid mother
and Cora could not have been happy
had she not known her mother COM
Portable. 1t would be years, If ever,
before they could think of marrying,
so they put it out of their minds.
taking what pleasure they could get
from being together.
Nellie had become acquainted with
a girl in the office directly across
from Fal1on & Son, Hilda Moore.
Hilda had called at the boarding
house, and both Cora and Gladys
rather liked her. She was pretty,
bright, and said clever things. Gladys
declared that she and Nellie made
team it would be hard to beat.
She was working for $12 a week.
and felt she was unfairly treated, that
she was worth more. She was a good
girl morally, but gave rather a Ques-
tionable Impression because of her
loud dressing. silly dressing Cora
called it. ..~-.-,',--.
Why don't you speak to her about
il, Nellie?" Cora asked. You know
her well enough, and you are always
cutting up when together. I think
you could tell her that her manner of
dressing works against her. Then she
buys such cheap material to- have
things snowy that don't wonder her
S12 doesn't go far.
9TH say something-when I dare
But girls like to look stylish, even
when they work" Nellie often secretly
envied a girl showily dressed and had
it not been for Cora, would not have
presented the neat appearance she
now did.
Wouldn't you have to have several
machines?" Gladys asked.
Il have this one, it is old, but can
use it all right. and could buy rebuilt
ones on the inStallment plan as need
them-that's what the girl William
told me of did. Business isn't very
good where I am. / daren't ask for
raise. and even II went elsewhere
couldn't get much more than I get
there while this business depression
lasts"
wouldn't the hard times keep you
from getting work." Gladys again
asked.
NO. don't think so. There arc
many small firms who could get along
with less help If they knew where
they could get extra work done well
and quickly"
Try it, Cora!' Nellie broke in.
TIL back you'll"
= The two girls laughed.
II mean it, I don't have a thing
to do with all my money. I'll lend
you Sc a week until you get started. 1
guess I can live on $12 when 1 didn't
expect to earn more tnan that for the
next five years.
'IH think about 1t a little longer,
but wanted to talk it over with you,"
Cora replied.
why don't you talk with Miss Nc
Bride?" Gladys suggested.
81 wonder if she would bother to see
me?" Cora returned, IT hate to take
her time, ask a favor when she's so
busy"
Shed be only too glad, Cora. She
always wants to help working girls
Do go. and see her.
Say, Coral" Nellie broke in again.
'I'n bet it will be a goi Mr.. Failon
said the other day he hated to ask me
to stay so late-that night you were
worried becausCNI wasn't home-but
that he knew of no one competent to
help when they were unexpectedly
rushed. There isn't any business de-
preston in our office"
mo, it is the manufacturing bust
ness that feels it most, especially the
small firms like the one work for"
CTomorrow-Nellie advises Hilda
Moore.)