The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-22

world Of London. with SlNpeuce standing
between you and starvation. Put It that
You had not tasted food since noon
OF the previous day. and that it was
then o'clocI, in the evening Of
tho day following Add to that. that
you had not single friend in London
tsavc one. to whom IL was impossible
10 appeal because he was as poor as
was). and you will get some idea Of
what / felt like
Oue-and-twenty. and facing the world
with sixpeucc, This was the enc or
things. ] had had a hard and bitter
struggle, and there was nothing else TO
be done. And was very cold. and -ery
tired. and remarkably miserable.
l had one small room az the top OF
dreary old house in a small lane turning
on Tottenham Court Road. have
walked past il many times since. and
smiled to think OF that afternoon. but
It was no smiling matter then. ! had
that curious lump in my throat and
that pain at the back OF my neck which
told me that despair had me il its
grip. aud that there was no hope.
1 wondered what was best to be done
] had a Gnad thought OF gOing 90 appeal
to my landlady for some foOd-nO mat
ter Of what kind-that should keep life
in me for a few hours. OF course, that
was out OF the question; 7 owed money
for rent already. and I had 10 keep my
desperate need hidden. Feeling chilled
I started to light the fire in the small
CRATE.
The paper which had been thrust in
at the bottom OF the CRATE burnt out
and smoldered away, and refused to
light the wood above IL DespaiTinEly
/ looked around for something else. and
saw the morning newspaper, folded up
as il had been brought to me. l tore
a sheet from it, and proceeded to light
the FIRE again. 1t happened that quite
early that morning, I had gone out 10
the wilds of footing TO try and secure
a place as a governess. That excur-
sion had swallowed up my day and the
last of my money (save the siXpence).
and had had no time to look at the
paper Now. as 1 watched the flames
stealing along it. I am afraid a tear
or two gathered in my eyes at the
thought OF the melancholy fate before
me
Even that piece Of paper wouldn't
light: part Of il burnt out. and the rest
dropped into the fender. Determined to
try no more. 1 picked it up and glanced
at IL. idly enough Just where The
scorched edge camel read these words:
Secretarial Supply Syndicate. Ltd
Young lady required. with knowledge OF
typewriting. Must possess tact. and be
willing to travel. il necessary. Good
salary.-Address. Manager. --"
Here followed the address. in a build
ing overlooking Trafalgar Square.
I reached the place, and climbed a
dark stair. Various names were painted
on the upper ground glass portions OF
various doors-names Of utterly I'M
known companies which, l thought, in
all probability. were never meant to
pay dividends. At last / came TO a
door on which was painted the title for
which | was looking-"The Secretarial
Supply Syndicate, Ltd" The paint was
so new that I could see the lines mark
ed on the glass which had guided the
painter.
Just as I raised my hand TO knock
at the door it was opened. and a man
stood in the doorway. He was so large
a man that he filled the doorway COM
pletely-or so IL seemed TO me at the
time-and I. being small of stature. and
by no means robust. quailed a little
before him. Remembering that sixpence
in my pocket l spoke. however. with
more holiness than l felt.
III you please, are you the manager -
Yes. l am the manager" said the
big man. and retired into the room
'Pray come in"
I went into the room. and noted first
OF all that IL was very well furnished
Like the painting on the door, however
the furniture was new. one might al
most have said that the varnish upon Il
was scarcely dry. The big man re-
moved his hat and placed il on q desk
then waved white hand toward a chair
sat down.
And what may / have the pleasure
OF doing for you. madam" he asked
Looking at him in the fading light OF
the afternoon. / saw that he was ex-
ceedlngly good-looking and very well
dressed. He had large head closely
covered with thick brown. curling hair
the nose was long and straight the eyes
Just trfle too near together perhaps
Not a bad face. take it for all IN all
With what holiness I could summon
stated my errand. he nodded from
time 10 time while / told him what
M qualifications were and what
i could DO. Finally. without a word he
got up from the desk, and won't across
10 table In the corner OF the room
OF which stood a typewriter under rs
case. Lifting the case on with some
thing OF a flourish and a cIatter. he sign
eJ 20 me 10 take my seat at the table
Write what / say" he said quietly
quickly pushed sheet Of paper into
the machine, and sat ready. He only
dictated one sentence TO me. but about
as rapidly as I've ever heard a man
spsak-
If the man who travels unknown and
alone comes tonight he does not leave
the Mace alive Remember the terrns