Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-12-02
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
LOVE IN A GARRETT

Since he had obtained his degree in
science and an appointment. stephen
Portway had determined TO leave his
poor lodgings in Soho; but he still de-
layed At first, he was not frank,
even to himself. But at length he had
to confess to the dark of slecpless
night that woman held him-a wo-
man to whom he had never spoken
except with the commonplace greet
ings of the day.
She was French. she called herself
MademoisellC LemOine, was, perhaps,
"a years OF age, and she lived alone in
a room on the opposite side Of the
landing before his door. She appear
ed to be very poor. very proud and
very solitary. The landlord. little
Swiss matchmaker. would shake his
head TO stephens guarded inquiries
as to show she lived. lie only knew
that she gave French lessons at one or
two schools in the suburbs.
Without thinking, Stephen had got
TO wait for her going out in the morn
ing. so that he could greet her when
passing. In the evening, too, when he
heard the light footsteps coming up
the stairs, he would carGlessly begin
descending. so as to look into the tired,
quiet eyes and hear the soft voice an
swer his salutation. But at last he
became aware that his comings-in and
0AinuE- 1,,,t Oh In it,t f,F ha
and in shame he put re-
straint upon himself. For some miser-
able days therefore, he still listened
for her footsteps, but forebOre TO en-
counter her. But when, at the end
Of that time, he found he had not seen
her face for Il week, he threw self
control to the winds and watched to
meet her
He was surprised and stirred at the
change he saw in her face. Once there
had seemed to be the possibility OF
archness and coquetry, but now 1t was
pale and gaunt, and in her eyes were
fever and great trouble. He could
not be deceived; whatever was her
mental anguish, he knew there was a
meaner, grimmer despair beneath
II all-she lacked food. All the even
ing and long into the night he asked
himself what he could do to approach
her. Once he would fercely resolve
to go to her tomorrow and bluntly Of
fer her help and friendliness; next mo-
ment, he would enrage against the sus-
picious conventions that were reared
about them.
Next day was Saturday. She did not
appear in he morning. and he went
listlessly TO his work Reaching home
quickly in the afternoon, he sat in his
room, near the door, and listened for
her. Some time elapsed he was in
great disquiet, wondering what might
have happened to her. Suddenly the
quiet steps sounded on the stairs be-
low, and, selling his hat, he strolled,
whistling out of the room. She was
coming up the stairs with a basket on
her arm, and, at the sight Of the weari-
ness in her face and the frailty of her
figure, he felt impelled to speak TO her
tenderly. As she looked at him with
feyerish eyes, he thought that
for a moment she seemed shaken be-
fore his gaze, and she hesitated in her
reply TO his greeting; then she res
pended, and passed on with her usual
distant bearing. As she went by, he
glanced at the basket. A cloth was
over something within II, and, for the
moment, lie was glad and then half
sorry with the thought that she was
not in such dire straits as he had i'm
lgined. As she placed her foot on the
stair, he saw the cloth was pulled
aside at one place and piece OF char
coal jutted up. lie descended, feeling
pleased to think she was going to cook
over her stove.
In another ten minutes he came
bounding into the house and up the
stairs, Halfway toward the Museum
4 terrible suspicion had entered his
mind; perhaps she meant to destroy
herself! He stood on the landing and
looked at her door. 1t was closed. He
listened, but no noise came from the
room. He tried to think Of an excuse
.or knocking and speaking; then, hap
nening to cast his eye to the top Of
The door, he caught sight of a piece Of
blanket jammed between 1t and the
frame.
Quickly he bent; no light came
through the keyhole, and at the bottom
of the door flannel was thrust. He
knocked with restrained force, the
blood beating thickly at his heart. A
slight movement came from within the
room, but no reply. He knocked again
and called, "Mademuiselle,
Then her voice answered, in sleepy
tones, "Who Is it,"
1t is J." he replied. What are you
doing with the door blocked up"
Go aWav" sail the girl lrOWsiIv.