Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-10-31
,-O-O-O-O-O-OO-O-O-O-O-O
, AT ia ELM
STREET
By HARRIET
G. CANFIELD
Copyright, 1903,
II. G.. Mcclure.

notebook. Yes. this was It'll Elm
Street" the directory had said The hall
door stood wide open. Some one within
was sweeping vigorously and singing
as she swept. He caught the words
(and the dust as he came up the steps:
My lruntrce 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of libcrtec.
He heard no more of the familiar
words for !hc little girl-Shc was ten
or eleven. he tlought-drOppCd the
broom when she saw him crossing the
piazza. He thought that she WAS com
ing to the door; but. to his surprise.
she promptly sat down on the floor.
He raised his hat. but before he could
speak she called hospitality: "Won't you
come right in: I'd be more polite, but
| can't get up
LET me help YOU" he said as he
came into the hall. She did not take
the hand he stretched out to her, but
she smiled ut hin and displayed a dim
pie so like Marjorie Crandars that he
knew this must be her little sister.
81 don't want to get up-not just
now she said frankly. Then. at his
look of aStoniShmcnt, she added: Mar
joric will be here soon; she'll show you
the rooms. You want to rent one, don't
you?'
The young man looked at her and
made plans rapidly. Yes" he said
without any prrcrptble hesitation, Il
do. My name is Sterling Roger Ster-
ling. Your sister may remember me.
| met her when she was visiting near
my home last summer" The little girl
on the floor looked up at him. My
name is Br>S." She said simply. Mar
iorie may remember, but never heard
her speak of YOU. You sit down and
wait till she comes
Roger Sterling dropped into the chair
nearest him, but BcSS cried in alarm:
"Mcrcy. Not that chair. Take the
one by the window; it has all of its
legs" Then she said naively. Il spoSe
you think its funny. now. don't YOU"
Roger smiled. "Funny:" he echoed.
YES; me on the floor and that three
legged chair and - everything. Well.
I'll tell you something if you'll cross
your heart you'll never breathe Il word"
Il promise" he said Solemnly.
She brcathcd Il sigh of relief, then
leaned forward and said almost in
whisper: Il am sitting here to hide
hole. This carpet and all the bedroom
carpets are full of holes. We've Just
got to do something now papa's dead
(hcrc the lips 4uiycrGd pathctically), so
were going to rent roomS'
Such confidence was II tritiing EN-
barrasSing to her listener, but he was
spared Il reply. for the childish voice
went on: Il wouldn't tell you if l
thought you'd mind the holes, but you
don't look as if you'd mind much. Oh,
they're covered. There's a rug we lay
over this One but | took it up, cause l
was sweeping. It's Saturday, you know,
and there's no school. Marjorie says
it's no disgrace to be poor, and it isn't,
but it's dreadfully uncomfortable.
Roger nodded sympathetically and
tried to change the subject. Il am glad
you have Il room to spare" he said.
Il am fortunate in finding one so
soon"
"Oh, we have three to spare. You're
the first one that's answered our adj
vcrtlscment. | hope you'll want to
take your dinners and suppers here
too. We can make more that way.
Mrs. Mulligan chats Kate is fine
cook. Why, she's been cooking ever
since She was sixteen. And she gets up
good meals out of almost nothing. But
we can't afford to keep her now unless
we can make some money renting
rooms. Marjorie embroidcrS linen
pieces, but she can't make enough to
keep us. you see" She looked at
Roger thoughtfully for minute. II
wish," she said, that you'd turn your
back while | get the rug that covers
this hole"
He walked to the door and looked
out. \ slender young woman was
coming up the walk. He recognized
Marjorie CrHndal's fair face and sunny
hair. There was Il wiStfu look in the
blue eyes now and Il tired drOOp to the
mouth that last summer had seemed
made for smiles. When she reached
tie steps he came out on the piazza,
and she looked up quickly.
"Why. Mr.. Sterling" she said. with
trcmulous little smile. What sur
prise! How do you happen to be way
out WcStT"
He took the hand she held out to him
and kept it while he explained.
Il came here to stay. Miss Crandal.
Father has asked me to take charge of
the western branch of our business.
My headquarters are in your city. |
happened TO remember that you lived
here
Happened. Oh. Roger Sterling.
"And this morning looked you up in
the directory"
Miss Crandal led the way to the sit
ting room. Bcss was coming out of it,
broom in hand.
$50 you did remember him, Mario
rie?' she said, nodding at Roger. lie
came to look at the rooms told him
you'd show them to him."
Marjorie looked at her caller in sur,
prise.
Yes he said; II hope you will take
pity on me, n stranger from way down
east, and let me come here to live"
Mercy BcSs exclaimed. "YOu don't
aeed to beg us. We're only too glad to
get you" Marjorie flushed rosy red
"Oh. Bcss," she said reprOachfully.
"Wcll it's so" cried that candid