The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-03
In the Hotel Corridor
BY Mary lDood.

JAMIE. Janie!" And then, in minute. stWhat
happy day this will be for joint
FEARS mad come to the girls eyes at sound
OF tnat childish name. Now she flushed and
paied as she said almost in whisper: John!
Does he remember me?''
The old lady had hold Of her hand as il
deariul or losing 1t, and Janet led her gently
to the big chair and nestled down beside her,
Remember you? Haven't we spoken OF
you almost every day since you went away?
You stopped writing after awhile and that
vas hard. " There was reproach in her gentle
voice.
The girl interrupted brokenly: eyes, T
know. But there was SO little of good to tell y
Then you changed your boarding place,
and our letters were returned unopened by
the postoffiee. We did not know where 10
find you
The lowered lashes could not hide the tears
as jamie answered: when left the home you
had given me so kindly, SO generously. had
high hopes was going to become famous
and repay everything. I promised you this,
and could not bear to write until I could
redeem the promise. It was ali my PRIDE
uBt loved you still. You believe that?" She
looked up entreatingly.
The old lady patted her hand in COM
forting way. Gust as we kept on loving
you" she said soothingly, 3sand we kept
trying to find you. John came up to- the city
several times on purpose. didn't have to
ask the poor boy how he Jared when he
came back each time. could tell by his
face. He's grown lot older since you went
away"
The girl looked down the corridor with eyes
all dull to its late enyied beauty. John still
remembered her! After all her unkindness
and neglect he had hunted tor her!
Her companion was looking at her with
fondly critical eyes. You are bit thinner,
but you look much better than I expected
Why, your cheeks are just as pink as they
used to be!''
The girls cheeks burned under her rouge
She caught her breath sharply. Then she
said family, "Oh, very well!'' To her
self she was saying ferceIy: ~ had to,
had to! was growing SO white and weary
looking. He would not have liked me any
more. Perhaps John won't like me any more
when he sees me- Yet she longed to brush
the color from her cheeks.
The old lady was going on happily: "John
said must come with him this time I had
not been in the city for so many years. Ana
guess he remembered what a master hand
I am for finding things. And now / have
found you,'' she added joyously, ~ am not
going to let you go. Just to see his face
when he meets you! You are going right
home with us and how fine my Easter
lilies are and pick the first spring violets on
the sunny bank by the sitting room window
They Will be sweeter than those you have
on
JAMES, hands crushed the flowers on her
dress as she asked eagerly, "You will let me
Gomez"
Let you come! We ought never to have
let you go. John has said that many time
Come! John must be in our room by this
time. Oh, just to see his facet
The girl passed her handkerchief roughly
| over her cheeks. The telltale color was gone
Thank God! That was the worst! She stood
up proudly She could go blackjack to the
quiet haven and the love of good man
The old lady clasped her hand as they
started down the corridor. Suddenly The girl
was conscious that man barred her path-a
man who stared in speechless establishment,
She had forgotten her appointment.
He hardly recognized this radiant creature
He had never been able to bring this look to
| her face.
! She started when she saw him, but her
voice never fatered as she said gently: Il
am sorry, but l cannot see you to-day. l am
going home with Aunt Milly.' Then, as his
cold, worldly face woke first to anger, then
to appeal, she added joyously, 81 am going
| home with her-and-John.''
| He could not doubt the evidence of face
and voice. and words came to his lips
! as he watched them go slowly down the corr
| ridOr. -si7S 80 ~ 5lzEF :