The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-08-22
MY PRETTY NEIGHBoR.

/ lived In n third-story back room.
whose two diminutive windows looked
across a narrow alley directly into two
other back windows. The alley was
about as alleys go; the same proper
tion OF rag-pickers stopped over bar
rels in back gateways rs in other
alleys.
My windows were hung with abb
brcviated something's that my landlady
called curtains. and spoke OF pathetic
ally as having seen better days. But
the two across the alley were quite
pretentious. One OF them, the one
that caught the first rays OF the re-
luc;ant sun from over peaked roofs
and ob.rusive caves. had box built
into it. where morning glories actually
dared grow. and twist about the string
she put FOR them. She was fair
faced woman-girl. who took possession
some two months after had moved
into my quarters.
/ suppose she was young In years.
know | watched her with good deal
OF interest curious 10 learn what
manner OF person IL might be who had
the temeriiy 10 sing Home Sweet
Home. in a third-story back. Sing
H. too, with both of her windows wide
open, Haunting little trills and i'm
promptu variations right into the open
windows on my side OF the alley.
liked Missy. | like the calm ten
derness OF the big dark eyes. the
breadth OF the yong brow. the mod
est maidenliness and the wholesome
ness generally OF her appearance. l
found Blackstone trihe prosy. even
when the windows over the way were
closed and when evening brought the
little laay--for lady she was every
inch OF her-home from work. IL was
simply impossible 20 sit still and pom
der legal quirks and founder through
legal sloughs. There was so much
pleasanter study opposite, done up in
neat dress and big eyes and goldy-
brown hair, and all that. Up would
go her windows. both OF them. out
would 90 the bird cage for breath
OF mir. F" and the little mistress would
unravcl tangled vines and coax them
around the strings. She had been
watching the callow knobs develop In
TO long twisty buds. and / had grown
about as deeply interested myself
watching her watch them.
One morning / saw the first bloom
wide open, as |. Of course. included
the two windows In survey up and
down the alley. Then / fingered 10
SEQ what she would do when she saw
IT, Hadn't long TO wait either Pres
emily her blind was raised. and there
was that milk white morning glory
nodding bonn;ly 10 her
20, you darlingm she cried. and
held the pretty thing caressingly
against her face. Actually, the fool
fish child pattcd Il and petted IL, and
laughed softly 60 II; and ]. spy that !
was. felt my eyes as moist rs II gust OF
rain had blown in them. and queer
choke in my throat. and by some in
congruity OF associations thought ir-
relevantly of my modest bank account.
and at the same instant how winsome
she would look under that misty white
stuff n bride wears. / fancy ! must
have forgotten that hitherto / had
played the role OF unseen. for presently
she saw me- and with crimson cheeks
turned away into the room.
About this time | discovered that
the mirror in my room reflected OBJ
jects across the alley in her room.
instantly tilted the bold thing nj an
acute angle that might not trespass
beyond the vine-hung window. But
one morning. when tho maid In dust
ing had readjusted IL, saw reflected
In IL the girl In her room. walking 10
and fro with agitated steps. then sink
ing on her knees clasp her hands in
very agony OF prayer, tho slim form
shaken with sobs. discharged.
suppose" muttered. savage that /
had thus been unintcntlonal witness OF
g~lefasaeant only for Him who secs
always Pat that offending mirror
In the farthcst corner OF the room
peltod around rainier stormily for
awhile tken went d2wn 20 the nearest
florists and bought the biggest bunch
OF roses | could fnd.l ordering ...sSs.
sent 10 that poor little girl crying her
heart out in that third stJry back room.
Not ae balm to her. oh. no; merely
as an apology 20 myself for having
seen the sorrow she thought none could
see.
Her blinds were drawn tight when
got back TO my den and ! had 10 race
down again and tell them not 10 send
the lowers till next morning.
No light In her room that night
eHaving IL all out by yourself In the
dark YOU poor little soul - thought
in somber sollloquy That's the way
with women. They take grief 20
their slumbers with them. fret, and cry