The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-09-18
\ Room At
Hanlcy's -.

ho,i untiI the norlhbound train came
IN. when all the men and boys who
could summon energy went over 10 INC
station and looked in at the car WIN
dows. In 4 few minutes the lraln
PASSED on, and silence covered l'lhc'
vile again. 49,.
\ lank girl, with pale hair IN lh'r
plait down her back, leaned out oi lh'
dinin, room window at llanlcyS an'
looked abroad. lIanlcy's had been
fine old plantation home in the days
when p,ncvillc and the railroad were
still undrcamcd Of, but now II was d
boarding house.
"Ma! Oh, MAJ screamed the girl
putting her head inside FOR 'hal !'u.-
nose. \" Ion'S a lady got OIL thc lraln'
The thin plat bobhcd out again l"'
=, romrnt of ANXIOUS observation.
Ma, She's comm here's was the
second shri message, sent to some dlS'
,,ni ouartcr of the house; whence
cmcrrcd presently woman, wiplng
h,r hands and arms on her apron.
uWcll. dcclarc." was her cry at
the door, when she looked INTO inc
face of her guest. "l II 1t am | MIS-
Gladucy, We'll, bless my soul II.
that Glad TO see yc-~comc rHht III!
An whrrc'S---"---
81 have only a few hours to stay
Mrs. llanlcy." said the lady, hastily,
looking away. Isis my oId room
v,rantY thought | would like to
have il agaln---ior the short time | am
here
..Oh, there amt been anybody IN it
in dunno whcn,' said Mrs. llanley.
:" It's one O The big rooms, yc see am
,ravcrs mighty dull. Let me take your
satchcl an things come right on
up. Nc amt lookin' 30 wcll-~bccn
sick? An how's hc?''
Mrs. Elanlcy busted joyiully up the
stairs without waiting for an answer,
telling many things rs She went. She
had more to tell, but look on the
face of her guest gave her the idea
that It would be better to make coffee
for her
Mrs. Gladncy slowly removed her
hat and threw ii on the bed in the
curlaincI alcovc, and after long time
she placed her gloves beside it. She
had been gazing silently around the
great room, but now, all ut once, she
dropped to her knees and buried her
face against the pillow, and was shak-
in" with sobs.
In little while she had controlled
herself and stood up, wiping her eyes.
There were "A few moments when she
walked about, looking at familiar
things. She used to stand at tins win
low once, and watch for somebody
when ii was time for him to come
home. ON tins window sill she had
kept her little array of llowcrs-violcts
and gcraniums and primroscs simple
little flowers that she had brought, a
bride, from her old home. Here was
he full-lcnwth mirror where she used
10 stand and smile so tIiumphantly at
her own image-~it was SO pretty and
She vas so happy. She stood and
locked at ii now, but she did not smile.
Her lips trcmblcd instead. Her checks
had thinncd from their old dimpled
curve. She saw here and there q glcam
Of untimely silver around the fluffy
masses Of hair. In a little while she
would be old and worn-and alone,
always alone.
She took tiny writing desk from
her Satchcl and sat down at the old
table to write. She had como for that
~-pcrhaps she could say it he re, in this
Old room-and she began with hand
tilat meant to be firm at first, but was
soon shaken with pitiful trembling.
" You Will be surprisod," she wrote,
- that have come back to Hanley's-
but it IS our wedding day, Will--havc
you forgotten it? And we were so
happy here. | have not seen you for
lhrec ycars--and most Of the time
have been proud and biltcr-but am
so sad and 80 alonc--and | can't hold
out any longer. ! think it must have
been all my fault. Won't you make
nF, VIII? | am herein our Old room
She had written slowly, as though
every word went to her heart with q
separate pang. The noise of the
Southbound train coming in did not
reach her consciousness. She had not
hcard the confusion Of another arrival
below; but the loud voice of Mrs.
,ianley calling up the stairs arrested
her hand.
Yes, SIR; you just 90 on up to
your oid room. Pm that glad i, was
empty AS tell you, the lady,
Ihaps all right, Mrs. Hanloy, -
e%lled ,n back another voice, almost at
Mc door. " Ali | want is my old room,
N glad it happened TO be vacant"
onon one was up and away, like a fright
ehea animal, into corner of Tho
Mcove. % The desk was on the door aI
nor ner: aeet She was holding her heart
''m.nvuls'vely With both strained hands
% 1.-TWO people came in and closed thc
depreciativc sniff. " ''''''' gave
Stulfy denl" he g,ow,cd .Io,
me open The windows. Thank bc,v", mv'
thcre's little breeze rising" '"'''
She heard him 60 from w,roou J.,
window, and presently the envy cnr,oi ~, =.
that shut Off the alcovc were swav;nn
Both men drove easy chars "y',s ovey -
ward a window, and one of them hooo, .U
to smoke. ''s"'