The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-16
Silhouettes of Yesterday.


 Copyright. 1901. by Daily Story Pub. co) The room wore an air of faded ambi- ton, like the woman. g. Irma Heckel was a viviied prototype of the room. She was no longer young, but in manner and even in her appearance she suggested ideals grown dingy wl.h much lugging about--perhaps with dif- ficulty. As 1t was necessary for her to earn the little she ate or wore. she paint ed saints for a living and quietly laughed at all religion to her cat and dog friends. A sense of humor had kept her from becoming entirely bitter.
 Her chiefest luxury was a grate fire. Making dreams she called this recre- ation. All of the ambition which had seemed to burn in her veins in the days past. she lived over again. "Only In dream work one has success she would say.
 one evening when the saints were at rest on the work table and she sat star- ing idly and stroking a great cat in her lap her imagery took a backward leap into the past She was young again, vivid. in earnest. Before the fire sat two children, the room had suddenly taken on the tone of perky little parlor. The little girl wore black stockings and a very short frock: her hair was taken up with a blue ribbon. Tho hoy had bright eyes and the dreamer noted his velvet suit and a pages badge pinned on his youthful chest, which was evidently his pride.
 My father is a Senator he was say ing. Pm going to be Senator, too. and then I'll marry you and we'll go to Eu- rope"
 My father is dead" said the little, girl fin mater of fact way which is the bravery of children. "So is my mother. but auntie is doing a lot for me; oh. an awful lot! She tells me so every day. Just as soon as she gets through doing things, and am eighteen, l am going to big city. Bigger than Des Moines or Omaha. Maybe New York" she added with wide. excited eyes. Then I'll do something great all by myself, and I won't marry even a Senator"
 But you won't have anyone to kiss you good night" he said.
 Who wants anyone to kiss her good night when she Is great?'
 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 clumsy. boyish fashion. glad
 With a pretty smile she innocently put down in the big rocker beside her.
 What are you crying about?" he asked. much surprised.
 She laughed. T don't quite know. You see am not great yet. maybe l still want some one to care.'
 An ash dropped from the fire. The little boy and girl and the perky parlor vanished. youth and a maiden sat on mohair sofa in the chilly 'best room." They looked shy and constrained. T just thought I'd come and say good bye,' he said. Mother said your Aunt Joe told her you were going to- morrow. instead of Friday. Are you afraid?"
 Afraid she exclaimed "to go out and seek my fortune like the knight in the HraN ak.a xu,fN |, the world. l am afraid to stay out here, being passed around from one relation to another. like croquet ball showed through so many wires"
 Ihats all very grand" thought the boy, but he didn't say. it. He was afraid. What he did say was uttered falteringly. and he picked at the sofa with one hand as he began.
 mother told me-say, Irma, please don't go. I'm half owner with father now IL the biggest grocery store in town. New York is a terrible places It Isn't safe Tor man to be out after 10 o'clock there. And you. a girl, all alone. Stay here and go into the grocery 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 without changing her position, and wondered why that old sob was in her throat when she was so happy. A gust of wind believed down the chim- ney. She leaned forward to replenish the tlre. When she settled back again the youth and the maiden had gone The best room had widened and broadened into spacious cafe. At corner table sat man somewhat pastsImiddle life and a young woman. The two were gazing abstractedly over one another's shoulder She spoke first. continuing her desuItory observations.
 T do not believe you know what YOU are doing" 'N
 He moved impatiently
 She will never make you happy"