The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-26
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
HOME AGAIN
Chapter IS.

Nellie entered at once upon her new
duties, and found them far moro
agreeable than she had anticipated.
She found letter from Mr.. Fallon
waiting her upon her return telling
her that she must call upon him in
anything of which he could be of
service. Enclosed was a statement
saying she had been invaluable to
him as private secretary, and so forth.
There was little else save reiterated
wishes for her happiness and assur-
ances of his continued friendship.
She showed the letter to Mrs. Rob-
erts, answered it telling him what she
was doing and thanking him, then put
his note carefully away. Her note to
him was hard to write, seemed very
cold and Inadequate. but she could do
no better and Mrs. Roberts approved.
They resumed their quiet life at the
boarding house, save that now Mrs.
Roberts went out more frequently be-
cause of Nellie's dependence upon her.
I'm growing young again with
you," the old lady said when Nellie
protested. IT was shriveling up stay
ing in SO much. A concert or a good
play doesn't hurt me once in a while"
Nellie always accompanied her to
church on Sunday morning, and she
declared that was recompense for
anything she did in going out occa-
sionally in the evening.
"Old people get lonely, my dear,
just as often as young ones. L used to
feel quite forlorn marching off to
church alone. Sitting beside strang-
ers. Now it is a delight with you to
sit beside me, to walk to and from
the church with me. I feel as if /
had a young daughter of my own"
Once after she had talked in this
strain to Nellies and she had gone to
her room to lay off her things before
the early Sunday dinner. an institution
in the boarding house, she said to her.
self:
ut pays to be good! Pays in every
way. If I wasn't good, hadn't kept
myself from doing wrong things, dear
Mrs. Roberts never would have been
so sweet to me. She would have
known. No one could pretend with
her. I guess those travelling men at
Miss Carriers did me a good turn even
if 1 did hate them so. I was young
and silly and if they hadn't shown
me how people looked upon girls who
were foolish and wicked might
The boarders had all been kind up
on their return; had ignored Nellie's
broken engagement. and treated her
as if it never had been. All but Miss
Pitt. Said she:
81 guess you weren't very much in
love with your fiance, Miss Riley.
have ever seen you. Most girls-if
they were really in love-would have
faded away"
Like they do in novels?" Nellie
asked flushing. Why wouldn't Miss
Pitt let her alone?
'In life too, Miss Riley. A real
love isn't to be laid aside like an old
coat. It is too lasting"
1--WE don't all wear our hearts on
our sleeves, Miss Pitt. When an in
cident is closed, isn't it wise to forget
it; to cease to talk of it?" Mrs. Rob-
erts said in her quiet voice.
ST always said it wasn't a suitable
match. Events have proved I was
right" Miss Pitt as usual had the
last word.
'You must not let her annoy you.
Nellie" Mrs. Roberts said when they
were alone. she is a poor, soured
old maid--I suppose I should call her
| a bachelor girl, but it doesn't seem as
If she ever had been young. She is
to be pitied for making herself dis
liked"
But she draws everyone's attention
to me. 1t is so embarrassing" Nellie
complained.
'I know. dear, but If you don't no.
tice it she Will soon find something
else to talk of. I feel sorry for her"
you're a saint! You'd be sorry for
the old Nick himself" Nellie returned,
her bother me. I know I have done
right"
at am sure of 1t, my dear. In spite
of a certain grief you could not help
feeling am sure you are happier than
when you thought you were to be Mr..
Fallon's wife. Isn't it SOP"
perhaps" Nellie conceded. 7
don't fret and worry any more, IL
that's a sign"
at think 10 is-and a good one. Mr..
Right will come along some day. Then
| there will be no worries. no frets-"
| (Tomorrow-Back to the old ways.)