The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-20
A Stenographer's
Romance
BY JANE PHELPS
GLADYS is HAPPILY MARRIED.
Chapter 81.

| Chapter 81.
| For some time Gladys had been
keeping company" with a young man,
a bookkeeper in a manufacturing
plant. John Harden was a sober, in
dustrious fellow who had been intro
duced to the girls by friend, and
whom they all liked.
cit was easy to see-you and me
weren't anything, Cora" Nellie said.
He doesn't hardly know if we are
black or white. He hasn't either eyes
or ears for anyone but Gladys-'bad
cess to her!'
John had rented a small apartment in
a new house in a good locality, and
had furnished it neatly, almost lux
uriously, it seemed to the girls when
| he invited them TO inspect it. Gladys
had, of course helped select the fur
nishings.
They were very busy, very excited
trio for the weeks proceeding the we'd
ding. trying to help Gladys with her
simple trousseau. skimping themselves
| in every way to add a few dainty
things to her wardrobe.
| They were married with two friends
of John, and Nellie and Cora as wit
nesses. Gladys looked very pretty in
| her gray dress and hat, and Johns
face was. alight with pride.
They were to go directly to their
apartment.
wen be real economical now that
we have q. home, and owe no one" he
| had paid cash for everything, land an
| other year take our wedding trip" he
planned. Il couldn't be happy not
even with Gladys If had run in debt
to furnish, then used the money to
| take trip. But we won't have to buy
| household things another year and
Wen go spreeing." ~. "a S
Gladys was not to work any more.
but, stay at home and keep house.
John was earning a good safa yard
| it wasn't necessary for his wife to
| work. y s-s :
1T seems too good to be true girls
| Gladys said 81 have been so tired of
working, -longed so to stop, but
couldn't. And John saysshe will SEND
the same amount home for me have
| been sending He is so good-n Izfeel
| almost as if Isswere in heaven. $AS Y -
! II should think you would" Nellie
exclaimed, then feltsof her, baekx tsbstt
1 guess you're still on earth; II don't
feel any wings sprouting. And say,
| Gladys, don't get stuck up andsforget
your old college chum, will your"
| of course,7I. mont you silly little
thing. And girls j o hn1 and want you
to come to dinner Sunday. Sort of a
house-warming. Plan to stay all the
| evening. Wen ask William Dalton.
and one of Johns friends so you Een't
be left out in the cold, Nellie"
Thank you, Mrs. Harden, but Tn
never cold, and if L was put to- it ]
might rustic up a fellow myself But
seeing you are a bride suppose what
! you say goes. I will come and help
cook the dinner if you want me to-
| NO, 1 want to do it all myself. You
girls are TO be real company for once.
I'll ask Mrs. Duggan to come over and
| clear
my Cora, Well have to order
new gowns for the function. Do you
suppose Madame Leorora can have
them ready in time?"
The girs laughingly told her to be-
have herself. and Nellie subsidized
Later she said TO Cora:
| II just had to joke or would have
cried, I was SO happy for Gladys.u-
| Sunday came and the girls present
| ed themselves at the little apartment
William Dalton was there, and q
young man, John introduced as Lloyd
Dent. He worked under John in the
sa me office. A clear-eyed wholesome
looking young fellow, who blushed
every time Nellie spoke to him. but
was at his ease with Cora and Gladys
They had very happy time and
the two boys took Cora and Nellie
home. When they were alone, Nellie
said:
"That was some feed. wasn't IT.
Cora? Fried chicken, corn fritters,
peas, potatoes. salad, ice cream and
cake, and coffee. Makes me think OF
the dinner Grandpa Robinson gave
me. thinking he could twist me around
his finger by filling up my stomach.
And did you hear what, she said about
wanting to keep everything lovely for
John? Geei 1t must be fine to feel
that way-love somebody-and have
them love you-and have a little home
like that. 1t makes us old maids sort
! of Jealous. doesn't it?'
.sOld maids-youi" Cora laughed,
then tired and sleepy they-both wen;
to bed, Nellie to dream of dinner in
am apartment. but somehow. instead
of plain John Harden, the man looked
wonderfully like Mr.. George Fallon.
/ (Tomorrow-Cora's Sorrow and
Responsibility