The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-04-09
JEAN.

oWO JCbtp oRO5 bbIiO OApOSbCu w "
living on Beacon street at the end 9
my course. My sojourn in New Eng
land began very modestly. My roor
had been arranged for before l let
home, and had consented to share
with some unknown young woman, il
order to lessen expenses. For week
that individual occupied my mind t.
the almost entire exclusion of every
thing else. L conceived of her as ex
ample OF every type common to th'
human race and then as o compost,
parsonage typical of nothing. o
course, she would be Northerner, ant
felt in my Southern soul that my
provincialisms would get the discipline
they needed.
Miss Latham, this is your new
roommate, Miss Courtenay of Balti
MORE"
am afraid l was little nervous as
I shook Miss Latham's hand, but there
was not the slightest trace of self
consciousness on her part. We were
soon talking easily and naturally, and
fifteen minutes of pleasant common
places dissipated my nervousness.
Then she said:
" shall have to ask you TO excuse
me now, Miss Courtenay. am doing
newspaper work, and must finish an
article this afternoon"
She went to her desk and began to
write. She did not look formidable,
and was 80 utterly oblivious OF my
presence thet knew che could not be
criticising me. Indeed, in less than
fortnight, found that, as far as
Miss Latham was concerned, might
as well have been without provincial
isms.
Miss Latham and talked much of
our work. She almost never men,
tened her personal affairs, and though
I felt I really did not know her, 1 be-
gan to admire her thoroughly. Her
quiet, steady way of doing things, her
self-possession, and even her reserve
attracted me.
soon noticed that she was working
too hard. AS her physical strength
lessened, saw there was underneath
her quiet calmness something pathetic.
On Christmas eve 1 came home in a
particularly bright mood. ran light.
" up the steps-feellng sufficiently
buoyant to do away with the elevator
and open our door, waving Two let
ters triumphantly.
aTwo lovely Christmas letters, Miss
Lathaml The dearest sort of letter
from home; and just the jolllest,
chummiest one from Brother Don"
Miss Latham sat In the arm chair by
the window, also with an open letter
her mother's-in her hand. She was
very still, and walked over to where
she sat. AS reached her, 1 saw
tear fall on the letter. 1t was too much
for my impulsive Southern tempera-
naent. Forgetting the reserve knew
so we'll, 1 said unhesitatingly:
What is 1T, Jean?"
But I didn't wait for any answer.
eettled down on the arm of the chair,
and drew her head close to my shoul-
der. We sat there in perfect silence
for awhile. Presently, she began to
talk, and soon understood the pathos
under jeans dignity.
1t happened twelve years ago, Hell
en-, when was only IL. Dick was
ten years older than 1. We lived on a
farm in Vermont, which had been in
our family for generations. Fathers
strongest wish was to have Dick stay on
the farm. But Dick didn't like farm
ing and went away to learn profess
sion. Father was very angry. He
forbade Dick to write to us, and moth
er's heart nearly broke. Two years
ago father died. We had then lost all
trace of Dick, and mother went to live
with Sister Louise. came TO Boston
to earn my living, and look for Dick.
III / could only find him, Helen, and
give him back to mother, don't be-
lieve there would be anything left to
wish for. Before father died, some
one from our village saw Dick in
Boston, and somehow 1 can't help
thinking he'll come back here some
time"
She stopped talking, and felt that
I wanted to spend the rest Of my
natural life looking for Dick Latham.
quietly hid Don's letter from Jeans
sight.
!" He wouldn't know me, Helen; I
was only IL, you know. But Pm sure
should recognize Dick. He was
fullgrown then, snl wouldn't have
changed much"
Our Christmas was very quiet one.
Jean was not at all well. In the even
ing she became feverish, and by morn
ing was very ill. Her fever increased
30 rapidly that she soon failed to
recognize me. Expert care was abso.
iutely necessary, and we had to re-
move her to hospital.
OF course, / haunted the place. All
that Christmas week, I came and went
every day, but Jean never once knew
/ was with her. One morning, / found
the doctor beside her. He had the
kindest, truest blue eyes l ever saw
and knew 1 could trust him. Or
New Years eve, waited in the cor,
ridor over an hour, watching for him
He came at last, and when he saw me
his face lighted up with sympathetic
smile.
"Your friend will know you tom Or.
row." he said. There is no doubt
of her recovery now"
lie was right. Next morning Jea.
greeted me with a weak smile of re
cognition. A nurse came in just then
and said cheerfully, "Miss Lotion II
doing very we'll"
"tMiss Lottoml' snid in surprise
and glanced down at the temperatur
chart on the table. 1 saw writer
there " Miss j. Lotion"
"There had been mistake made Il
my friends name," said. CT SUP