The Red Cloud chief., 1902-05-09
SilhOuetteS of Yesterday.
By JESSIE Ll.EWEI.I.YN.
tccrsrioht, 1909, By Daily story Pub. COZ

The room wore an air Of faded am
bition, like the woman
lrma Hcckel was a viviied prototype
OF the room. She was no longer yount.
but in manncr and even in her APP
pcarance she suggested ideals grown
dingy with much Juggling about-pes-
haps with difficulty. As II was necos-
sary for her to earn the little she ate
or wore. she painted saints for n lv-
ing and quietly laughed at all religion
to her cat and dog friends. A sense
of humor had kept her from becom-
ing entirely bitter.
One evening when the saints were
at rest on the work table and she
sat staring idly and stroking u great
cat In her lap her imagery too a
backward leap into the past. She was
young again, vivid. in earnest He
fore the fire sat two children. the
had suddenly taken on the tone
OF a perky little parlor. The little girl
wore black stockings and a very short
frock: her hair was taken up with
Il blue ribbon. The boy had bright
eyes and the dreamer noted his velvet
suit and u pages badge pinned on
his youthful chest, which was evident
ly his pride.
My father Is a senator" he was
saying. I'm going to he n senator.
too. and then I'll marry you and well
go TO Europe"
MY father is dead said the little
girl in a matter of fact way which Is
the bravery of children. : Is my
mother. but auntie is doing u lot for
me. oh. an awful lot! She tells me so
every day. Just as soon as she gets
through doing things, and ! am eight
cen, | am going 10 a big city. Bigger
than Des Moincs or Omaha. Maybe
New York." she added with wide, cX-
cited eyes. Then I'll do something
great all by myself. and | won't marry
even a senator"
But you won't have anyone to kiss
YOU goodnight" he said.
who wants anyone to kiss her
goodnight when she Is create
The fire was getting low. A chill
crept over the room. Presently the
boy arose and went over to her and
took up her long red braid in a
clumsy, boyish fashion.
But you are not great yet, and I'm
glad"
With a pretty smile she innocontly
put both arms around his neck n
he slid down In the big rocker beside
her.
What are you crying about?' he
asked. much surprised.
Che IatuhnI sI lnp't nuitp know
You see | am not great yet. maybe |
still want some n TO care
An ash dropped from the fire. The
little boy and girl and the perky par
Tor vanished. A youth and a maiden
sat on a mohair sofa in the chilly
best room" They looked shy and
constrained.
1T Just thought I'd come and say
goodbye" he said. Mother said your
Aunt Joe told ner you were going to-
afraid?"
Afraid" she exclaimed, ito go out
and seek my fortune like the knight
in the fairy tales. To have a chance
with all the world. ! I'm afraid to stay
out here. being passed around from
one relation to another, like a croquet
ball showed through so many wires"
LAS | was saying--I just come over
mother told me-say, Irma. please
don't go. I'm half owner with father
now-it's the biggest grocery store in
town. New York Is a terrible place.
1t isn't safe for a man to be out after
ten o'clock there. And you, a girl. all
alone. Stay here and 20 into the gro
Gerry business with me-" He tried to
laugh; she tried not to do SO.
When he was gone the maiden sat
on the mohair sofa a long time with
out changing her position and won
dered why that old sob was in her
throat when she was so happy.
A gust of wind beloved down the
chimney. She leaned forward to re-
plenish the fire. When she settled
back again the youth and the maiden
had gone. The best o had widened
and broadened into a spacious cafe.
At a corner table sat a man somewha;