The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-19
A Stenoerapher's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
NEILIE's LAST WEEK IN THE
OFFICE

NEILIFs LAST WEEK IN THE
OFFICE
Chapter 50.
It was Nellie's last week in the
office. She was to remain at home the
month before her marriage. She had
urged Mr.. Fallon to give one of Cora S
girls her position, competent girl
older than herself. This last week was
| a busy one for them all. There was
| much that the new secretary must be
shown, many little things Nellie
wished to do herself. But at last Sat
urday came and Nellie babe the Of
flee force goodbye. Some of them
almost wept; others, disappointed that
| because of her influence-as they
thought-her position had been given
to a stranger. were openly resentful-
1t was the old cry of the inefficient
claiming seniority because OF length
OF service.
'I feel as if I had lost a hand or a
foot" Nellie said to Mrs. Roberts,
| land I hated to see Miss Lawrence in
my place, altho I like her, and be-
lieve she will be satisfactory. But it
seems queer, when one has worked
| ever since they can remember, to be
idle. I can hardly set myself at any
thing. I'll never be ready in a month
if I don't get over this feeling"
you'll become accustomed to
things in a day or two" Mrs. Roberts
encouraged. ut is a change for you.
will be more of a one soon. 1 hope.
dear. a very happy one"
Donald knew Nellie was staying at
home, and could not deny himself the
pleasure of dropping into Mrs. Rob-
ert's sitting room when he knew she
! was there. But he never sought to
| see her alone. Perhaps felt he could
not trust himself.
Nellie welcomed his return to this
quasi friendliness gladly. She talked
very frankly before him; once mem
tioning her fear that because of her
| ignorance George Fallon might be
ashamed of her.
Donald. flew quite off the handle.
1.-The idea of your suggesting such
a thing!" he said Indignantly. mo
one in their senses would ever be
ANYTHING but proud of you'll"
Goodness. Donald; Don't be SO
emphatic Nellie laughingly re-
| turned. Then more soberly: per
haps everyone hasn't such an exalted
opinion of me as you seem to have"
"Then it's because, they are blind.
I'd like to know what you think
| they would be ashamed of?'
Just little things. Donald. Things
| the women in Mr.. Fallon's set know
| how to do, and don't It's foolish
| in me to talk about it. and I won't
again"
II wouldn't! ANY man should be
very proud to call you his wife, Mel
| lie. no matter who he is"
He spoke seriously. and left the
room soon afterward.
Wasn't it odd that Donald should
| flare up so2" Nellie said to Mrs.
Roberts. ct was awfully surprised
Donald admires you very much,
dear. He is q staunch friend"
81 like him too-he makes one feel
| comfortable mean I am comfort
able with him.
Hell amount to something some-
| day. He is doing very well now. I
| am slightly acquainted with the wife
of one of the men On his paper, and
she told me her husband said Donald
was a born newspaper man-that
when they were there was no hold
| ing a man back" This Mrs. Roberts
| told Nellie, then changed the subject.
| She would have liked to see Donald
and Nellie marry. But they could
not. Nellie had made her choice.
Nellie had dreamed of her wedding
day-aS what girl hasn't. It would pc
| the high festival of her life, and even
as long ago as when she was Miss
| Carriers slavey, she had devoted
numberless hours to visions of what
| was proper for a bride; creamy satin
| trailing dress, a veil so long it swept
| the floor ever SO far behind her
| like the pictures she had seen of
/ brides in the Sunday Supplements.
Satin slippers, a great wedding cake
and all the ''extas' as she called them.
And she was to be married in her
| travelling dress. a simple blue tailored
suit. Somehow as she sewed the old
dreams came back. She wondered If
she wouldn't feel more as if she were
really going to be married if she had
a white dress and veil with a wreath
| of orange blossoms to hold it close to
her head. Her wedding day was draw
| ing very near, yet at times she could
| hardly realize she was to be married
at all.
ct guess I'll feel married all right
| when the minister begins to talk
she said to herself, tbut somehow 1t
don't seem weddingy not to have q
| white dress"
| Yet it was her own idea to be mar
ried quietly. Mr.. Fallon had allowed
| her to plan everything.
| Tomorrow-The Boarders Congrat-
| "a Naf1ia