The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-21
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
THE PROMISE OF BRIGHTER
DAYS
CHAPTER 5.

CHAPTER. s.
| After a good hot luncheon Nellie
felt herself again and laughingly in
sisted upon helping clear away.
DO you know, Coral may call
you that, mayn't I, even if you are
| older, and smarter than I am ?" At
Cora's smiling permission she went
on: "I am so discouraged that if
wouldn't rather be dead than there,
I'd take the next train back to Hud-
son Corners. Guess I'd have to foot
lit tho, and my feet are SO lame now
can hardly stand on them" With a
laugh she turned out the contents of
her shabby purse-a subway ticket,
two nickels, a couple of hairpins and
PIECE of chewing gum. The gum
sort of stopped that gnawing feeling
in my tunamy," she explained.
Perhaps can help a little. altho
one poor girl can't do much to help
another poor GIRL Cora answered,
| her forehead puckered. She was
way to help Nellie.
Honest Cora, I'd go BACK to hash
| singing in Miss Carriers boarding
house for the chance of getting a
square meal, tho they wasn't so awful
| square there lots of times; not for me.
This Big Town is something fierce
when a girls hungry. I guess if it
hadn't been, for coming to you today
q Doen III the InOfSue Dy morning.
wonder would the papers have
printed Nellie Riley Starved to
Death?' Do you suppose they would 20
Don't, Nellie! Don't talk like
that"
Honest I believe I was headed for
tthere-anyway my tunmy was
Cheer up, Nellie! 1 shan't let you
starve. Maybe you'll get a fine job
one of these days and marry the
boss" Cora said. trying to encourage
| the girl faa1jO6 g. nj Sf n
| to think of getting a position for her
because of her lack of education
Nix on that MARVIN stuff for
mel" Nellie replied, disguised look
Cora thought, to be running around
New York looking for work.
why not marry? What have you
got against marrying some nice
MANI" Cora, still smiling, asked.
PA and ma are married. That's
the answersn-.Nellie replied. 1t was
known atN the Corners that Nellie
could not live at home after her
mother married the second time.
But where would you have been
| if your mother hadn't married."
I've thought about that, Cora"
Nellie answered in a semi-serious way
| that sat strangely on her babyish
face. But perhaps there is a place
somewhere for kids that never was
-born-kids what amt wanted. There
sure amt no place on earth for kids
| like me, just being born to be cuffed
land kicked around till they gets tired
and ends it all. I amt never been
| wanted by nobody
Suppose I let you stay with me a
while. Would you be willing to help
Mrs. Thompson, she's the landlady,
until you learned to spell. and to take
some dictation? Unless you are, Nell
lie, I am afraid you'll have to give up
office work.
I'll do anything you say, Cora"
Nellie replied, suddenly feeling very
tired and weak. AS long as she had
had kept up her courage by sheer
force of will, but with Cora's kind
ness her courage had evaporated until
she felt she never could be alone
again, never depend upon herself.
Mrs. Thompson will want more if
there are TIVE in the room. But if
you will help herewith the rooms for
three or four hours a day think she
you can pay the extra, and have
enough left to pay for your food. The
rest of the time you can study. have
an old typewriter keep here in the
room, and in the evenings I'll start
you on shorthand"
Really. will you, Cora? Oh, I'll
love you forever and ever if you will,
and I'll help Mrs. Thompson real
good. I can il I'm a mind to if I do
hate making beds and all that kind
of work 1 had to do at Miss Carriers"
I'VE can't always choose in this
world, Nellie. I'll speak to Mrs.
Thompson at once, and if she is will
ing you can come right, over, bring
your things and get settled tonight"
"Hurrahi Three cheers for the
only friend I've got in the world"
Nellie said so comica1ly that Cora
laughed, but she also saw the pretty
eyes were filled with tears.
Poor little thing" she murrnured
as she went in search of her landlady.
(Tomorrow-Moving Day for Nerlie.)