The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-25
A Stenoerapher's
Romance
nv JANE pHEF pc
NELLIE Is INTRODUCED TO THE
BOARDERS,

NELLIE Is INTRODUCED To THE
BOARDERS.
Chapter 81.
Mrs Dety had informed Nellie that
meals were ready when she heard the
gong and that her guests were all
very prompt in taking their places at
table. What a s.geng" was, Nellie did
not know, but when she heard the
three strokes-unmusieal, she hurried
down to dinner,
This place is for you" the waitress
told her, pointing to vacant space
between an old lady and a young one
with a kindly expression, the latter a
thin, angular female whom Nellie at
once decided she didn't like.
She makes me think of vinegar, or
something puckery." she said to her
self, as she sat down feeling a bit
awkward, but the old ladys nice"
The guests at Mrs. Doty's all sat at
one long table. 1.-The dining ROOM"
she carefully explained to every new
arrival. was too small to admit OF
any other arrangement" Gradually
p ras se0 Pna Ne asa sask shsf
each one up-the usual semi-pros-
porous sort who live in the better class
New York boarding houses, such as
this, an elderly couple, several women
OF uncertain ages, two or three
younger ones, a couple of middle
aged men who looked tired and un.
interesting.
Nellie noticed the place directly OPP
pesite her own was vacant, also the
one Miss Jones occupied. Suddenly
the street door opened. then closed
noisiiy: A young man with heavy
dark hair. thru which he ran his
fingers as he crossed the room, took
this vacant seat, cheerily saying
| "Good-evening'' with comprehensive
glance that included everyone at the
table, He appeared to be about 20
Nellie was surprised and puzzled at
the change in the company upon his
entrance. The old lady next to her
beamed at him. The vinegary one on
the other side Strengthened up and
smirked, The others either smiled,
or asked him a question.
He looked inquiringly at Nellie, ad-
miration flashing in his eyes.
The old lady leaned to her and said:
my names Roberts. my dear, Mrs.
Roberts What shall call you?"
Nellie Riley"
'Neilie is pretty name. judge
you are Irish" A few months back
Nellie would have replied with some
witieism as>te its not being French or
Spanish. Now she only said;
Eyes, I'm Irish. But I was born
"That is self-evident." Mrs. Roberts
said with smile, Then she bent for
ward a little and attracting the young
mans attention, said:
This is Miss Riley, Mr.. Horne. She
has come to live with u.s."
I'VE are very Fortunate" he replied.
bowling. The acid one shifted, while
the others watched euriousiy. Then
Mrs. Roberts added: Ladies and gem
tlemen, Miss Riley has taken Miss
Hunters room, and intends to re-
nain." She had extracted this much
from Nellie.
They all bowed and smiled across
the table, some muttering, glad to
meet you" and other customary re-
marks. Nellie flushed crimson at be-
ing the cynosure of so many eyes, but
smiled in return. Butoafter that she
kept her eyes on her plate. Every
time she raised them, however. Mr.,
Horne was, or seemed to be, looking
at her thru the disfiguring goggles he
wore.
wouldn't Cora be surprised if she
could see how meek am" Nellie said
to herself as she ate the food set be-
fore her; very good 1t seemed to her,
aitho she heard grumbling from 9TH
era II haven't said my souls nay
own since I came here. I'll forget how
to talk If this keeps up"
But Nellie was the only quiet one.
1t seemed to her they all talked at
once. The questions put to the young
specialized Mr.. Horne piqued her curl
esity.
Anything exciting happen today p"
one asked.
mo, nothing unusual so far. But
the day is young. I have hopes"
What could he mean? Nellie won-
dered.- Hopes of something exciting
happening. Mrs. Roberts saw the
question in Nellie's eyes and whis-
pered:
Mr. Horne lisa newspaper reporter
murders and all sorts of things. 1T
ia very interesting to have him with
U.S."
Nellie's interest was awakened at
once. A newspaper man-how Won
derfu1i
(Tomorrow-George Fallon's pleasure
intrigues NeIlie.)