The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-04
A Stenogrdpher's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
THE ROAD THAT LED TO HAPPI:
NESS

THE ROAD THAT LED TO HAPPI.
NESS
Chapter SO
The little apartment was indeed at
tractive as Nellie and Donald stood
before the clergyman who was to
marry them. Mrs Roberts had sent
several plants that formed a back
ground for bride and groom. The cur
tains were drawn and lights. softly
shaded, il1umined the happy faces.
Muffled sounds came from the lit
tie kitchen where the supper was be-
ing prepared, and Nellie in her dainty
bed room was changing into her we'd
ding dress.
"Oh, how can I ever thank you"
she said to Mrs. Roberts. who with
Cora. was helping her. at feel so
much more that 1 am really being
Just what I used to dream / would
have when was so ignorant and poor
that I wonder I ever dreamed at all.
Who would have thought I ever
would have a home like this? Do you
remember poor little me when I first
came to you, Cora? I guess I was
about the most forlorn piece of hui
manity that ever struck New York.
Me. and my stolen suitcase"
You were rather forlorn, Nellie,
but even then you were full of grit.
I always felt you would come out all
right. The only thing, worried about
your looks. You were too pretty for
a working girl I'm glad you have
will be equal to it, She spoke laugh
ingly, yet even now Cora scarcely
understood how Nellie could have
broken off her marriage with Mr..
Fal1on. She liked Donald, was glad
Nellie was so happy; but as she
thought Of the wealthy, aristocratic
man, a man who was a good man as
well, she could scarcely understand
what had decided Nellie, even tho she
had explained it to her many times.
Nellie had seemed to be in love with
him, very much in love, he with her.
Yet there was now a Ightness of
spirit, buoyancy in Nellie she never
had shown before, a faith in her fu-
ture that asked no questions. So Cora,
loving her dearly, rejoiced tho she
wondered.
There never was a Iove1ier bride, so
both Mrs. Roberts and Cora thought
when, all dressed, Nellie waited for
their comments.
You are perfect" Cora said, while
Mrs. Roberts smiled and kissing Nell
lie added: You look very sweet,
dear"
May come imp Donald called
Times most up, Nellie His eager
voice tremb1ed a little.
Yes, come in, Donald" Cora said.
Tell US what you think of your
bride"
81 think she is the sweetest girl in
the world, and the most beautiful"
he replied, as regardless of the others
and her finery, he took her into his
arms.
There. there, Donald!" Nellie
cried. You mustn't muss me all up!
How do you like my dress?''
Like it! Why you look just like a
beautiful white rose. I am almost
afraid you'll fade away before my
eyes. You are really wonderful, Nell
lie,' he said more soberly, 81 don't
believe a bride ever looked as lovely"
Then thank Mrs. Roberts It's all
her doingsE' Nellie gayly responded.
The minister now arrived, and a.
moment afterward the three or four
others who were to make up the we'd
ding party. Then. very simply, Donald
and Nellie took their place before the
massed palms and were made man
and wife. The usual congratulations
followed, Cora wept a little, not be-
always cried at a wedding. And be-
cause now it brought her own loss
poisnantly before her.
Then the party sat down to supper,
the table beautifully laid with the
linen Cora had given them, dazzling
with George Fallons gift of silver.
And the brides cake had not been for
gotten. Nellie cut the first slice with
much laughter at her awkwardness,
which she explained was because
most of her life she hadn't had any
cake to eat, let alone CUT
Even the clergyman delighted with
the informality of the wedding supper,
unbent and told one or two amusing
stories of couples he had married.
Supper ended, Donald and Nellie were
left alone, the good wishes of their
guests ringing in their ears.
Donald took her into his arms, and
whisp
MAY you always be happy, Nellie.
God helping me you never shall have
anything to regret"
So~we leave the little 'slavey' from
Hunters Corners who, in spite of all
her handitaps, all her temptations,
kept faith with herself and found it
led to happiness.
THE END.
Jane Phelps exceIs as an analyst
of married life problems. a narrator |
of sarnarrihd life StorieSr ReRinniney