The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-12
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
NELLIE GETS WHAT SHE GOES
AFTER

Chapter "a
That morning Nellie waited outside
the building until she saw Mr.. Rob-
inson enter. As he stepped from his
machine, her lip curled. He hadn't
wanted his chauffeur to know he
took his stenographer out the pre-
vious night, hence the taxi
When she appeared in the office he
looked up surprised, and his face
turned a deep crimson as he said
good morning" Angry and excited
as she was Nellie noticed Smith was
watching.
1T came for my pay!'' she said in q
hard, cold voice.
IT haven't discharged you. If you
choose to leave me in the lurch be-
fore your week is up you'll get no
pay"
"Oh, won't I? I'll not bulge from
here until I get it. and something else
too-a reference, and good one.
Mr.. Robinson turned away. and in a
voice which Nellie afterward said was
like an orange squeezed dry said:
81 have no time to discuss matters
with you. Youth stay the rest of hte
week or you'll get no pay" He was
showing his real self for the first time
tho self that Smith the bookkeeper,
knew.
Nellie sat down.
"Take this letteri' he said. turning
to her, a half smile on his lips. She
was coming. around: This was all
Are you going TO give. me my
money!" she asked looking straight
| into his eyes.
mol" he said, hitting the desk so
the papers flew on the floor. The
patient Smith stopped and picked
them up, and to Ne1lie's amusement
he winked at her.
I'm sorry to trouble your wife.
She seemed a good sort, if she did
look at me with those glasses on a
l.fsa nh eIa hoe AY1n n
to hate the girls in your office. But
if you don't give me my money 1
shall go to her and tell her why I'm
leaving, and all you tried to do.
ia hate to hurt her-perhaps she
knows you SO well by this time it
wouldn't. But sort OF think she
would pay me-"
You vizenl" he said between
closed teeth, as he counted out the So
and held it toward her.
she thrust the bills into her pocket.
Your what?" he shouted, the
angry veins standing out large and
full on his forehead.
MY reference! You didn't suppose
I was going to leave without one.
I'll type It. and you can sign
'Tll do no such thing!"
well, suit yourself. I shall spend
10 cents carefare to call upon Mrs.
| Robinson I'm sorry 1 haven't an
returned. Smith was grinning now,
grin of pure delight.
Nellie coolly sat before her type
writer and wrote her own reference.
Using tact, she said neither too much
or too little. She had been with him
so long. had done |her work carefully
and we'll, had showed willingness and
he recommended her as a competent
stenographer. She was leaving of her
own free will, his business did not
a ffnrd tina salary she reU1ired and
deserved.
"sign here!" she said, laying it be-
fore Mr.. Robinson.
with a glance he took in the con-
tents. Then with muttered oath he
signed his name. He noticed 1t was
written on his business stationery.
While this was going on, Smith had
left the room. He waylaid Nellie in
Good for you, little girl" he said.
ct wanted to warn you, but you SEEM
ed to dislike me SO I hadn't the
nerve"
$50 that's what made you act so
queer? You knew-about himT
years. I'm half sick SO can't leave
because the work would be harder
than mere. I'm glad you didn't fall
for him."
would ?" she asked with intense scorn.
When she reached home Cora had
a friend. a girl from the office with
her. Nellie told her story. making
them scream with laughter. Then this
girl remarked:
ct have worked in different offices
for seven years. 1 never had an en-
pioyer say an insulting word, do any
thing wrong toward me. There are
occasionally such men-I know be-
cause 1 have had friends who have
met them. But, Nellie, the really
good employers are far in excess of
the Mr.. Robinsons."
81 only hope meet some of them!"
Nellie said, I'm out of a job, you
know. Geei How would have hated
to go to that old lady with her glasses
on a stick-but I'd gone If 1t killed me
if he hadn't come up to the scratch"
She proudly waved her reference.