The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-10
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
LUNCHES AND FLOWERS FOR
NELLIE
Chapter p.

Chapter %.
Nellie had lunched twice with Mr..
Robinson, and once she had brought
home a wonderful bouquet OF roses he
disapproval, she said:
Whats the use of refusing a good
feed. when he tells me he wants COM
pany? And he always has flowers on
his desk. This is the bunch he had
today. They only fade If they're left"
But I wouldn't lunch with him..
Nellie" Cora thought it best to say
nothing of the flowers.
well, I don't see anything wrong
in it-but If it worries you I'll eat my
little, old cheap lunch ana give his the
'go-hy.' It's hard. tho. He sure knows
what to order for a hungry GIRL
II know, dear, but I'm sure it isn't
right for you to accept so much from
him. If he wasn't so old. it would
cause you to be talked about. I think
he means it all in kindness. but shall
vitations." Cora really did not think
Mr.. Robinson meant anything out of
the way; he had seemed just a nice,
digniffed old gentleman, kind and IA
outspoken. so pretty, and SO alone in
the world.
THAT old bookkeeper makes me
Wild" Nellie burst out after a time
Hes always watching me out of the
corner of his eyes. I make believe
don't notice, but I see it just the
same"
Jealous of the boss's attentions
perhaps" Gladys said laughing. Mel
lie always amused her. Naturally
quiet, not knowing how to say quick.
bright things, the younger girls Lively
spirits were a constant source of
amusement to her.
mot himi Milk wouldn't sour
where he washes so much sourer!"
Nellie was really progressing Won
derfully. She was in earnest in her
wish to improve and this. added to her
natural quickness. made her an apt
scholar. Her work was so easy she
had time and strength to study. often
at the office as well as at home.
Sometimes I write the letters-he
doesn't even dictate Them she told
the girls. "Of course he always reads
them over before he signs them. He
says 1 write a splendid business letter.
that come right to the point without
wasting words I almost blew up and
busted when he said that. And I
don't make any mistakes IN my SPELL
ing now either-tho once in a while I
have to look up a word. to be sure"
All three of the girls were doing
well, were happy and contented,4 as
far as girls who practice constant self
pendent upon her as had the other
two, but as she did not earn as much,
what they had to spend for themselves
was almost equal.
have liked better clothes, but they
never talked about it; but as time
passed, Nellie longed for the stylish,
pretty things she saw other girls wear
ing. She said:
TT was different at the Corners.
Nobody looked very wonderful, but
here in New York the girls do look so
lovely in their pretty things. I feel
like a great ugly weed in a garden full
of beautiful flowers"
Never
more soon, then you can look like a
flower too, but make it a quiet sort
of flower. Gay colors are not suitable
in an office altho I know many girls
them if they can afford them" She
thought that Nellie properly dressed
would be the fairest flower of all.
1t had been several weeks since
Nellie had dined with Mr.. Robinson,
and she had kept her word, refused
to lunch with him-altho he had in
vited her several times. But as she
was leaving the office one night he
said:
Il have two tickets for a good play
tonight. Would you like to go?''
"Of course I would" she answered,
her eyes shining. She thought he
meant to give them. to her. Now she
could take Gladys.
"AlI right then! Wen have a little
dinner somewhere near the theater,
and then We'll CO." He turned to the
bookkeeper who had been out of the
room when he talked to Nellie.
call a taxi for me, Smith,
Nellie stood first on one foot and
then on the other. If she refused to
go after acting So pleased what would
he think? He'd probably feel insulted,
think she was one of those fool girls
who thought if man was nice to her,
he was in love with her. She'd have
to go. But she said:
Il must send word to Cora She'll
worry"
Wen call a messenger from the
restaurant and tell her you have gone
to the theater," he kindly replied.
(Tomorrow-Ne1lie demands her
salary.)