Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1903-10-08
AT ia ELM
STREET
By HARRIET
G. CANFIELD
Copyright, 1903, by 7. c. Mcclure.


notebook. les, tnlS was 1t LA EIm
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
land the DUST as he came up the steps:
MY countree, tbs OF thee,
Sweet land of libertee."
He heard no more Of the familiar
words, for the little girlshe was ten
or eleven, he thought-dropped the
broom when she saw him -rossing 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: Wont you
come right in? I'd be more polite, but
I 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 at him and displayed dim
pie so like Marjorie Crandars that he
knew this must be her little sister
~ don't want to get up-not just
now she said frankly. Then, at his
| look of establishment. she added: Mar
| jorie will be here soon: she'll show you
the rooms. You want to rent one, don't
your"
| The young man looked at her and
made plans rapidly, Yes" he said
without any perceptibl, hesitation, II
do. My name is Sterling Roger Ster-
ling. Your sister may remember me.
l met her when she was visiting near
my home last summer" The little girl
on the floor looked up at him. MY
name is Bess." she said simply. Mar
| jorie may remember, but | never heard
her speak of yen You sit down and
wait till she comes
Roger Sterling dropped into the chair
nearest him. but Bess cried in alarm:
| Mercy. Not that chair. Take the
one by the window; it has all Of its
legs," Then she said naively. Il s'pose
you think it's funny, now. don't youf'
Roger smiled. Funny" he echoed.
Yes; me on the floor and that three
legged chair and 49, everything. Well,
I'll tell you something if you'll cross
your heart you'll never brea' a word
| L DToullSc, ne Sdlu Soltlu4llt.
She breathed a sigh of relief, then
leaned forward and said almost in a
whisper: Il am sitting here 10 hide a
hole. This carpet and all the bedroom
carpets are full of holes We've just
got to do something now papa's dead
| (here the lips quivered pathetically), so
were going TO rent rooms"
| Such fpi
barrassing to her listener, but he was
spared a reply, for the childish voice
went on: II wouldn't tell you If |
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 1t up cause I
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,
bat it's dreadfully uncomfortable"
Roger nodded sympathetically and
tried to change the subject. Il am glad
you have room to spare" he said.
II am fortunate In finding one so
soon"
"Oh. we have three to spare You're
the first one that's answered our adj
vertisement | hope you'll want to
take your dinners and suppers here
too. We can make more that way.
Mrs. Mulligan Chats Kate is a 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 embroiders linen
pieces, but she can't make enough to
keep us. you see" She looked at
Roger thoughtfully for minute. IT
wish" she said, that you'd turn your
back while l get the rug that covers
this hole"
He walked to the door and looked
out. A slender young woman was
coming up the walk He recognized
Marjorie Crandars fair face and sunny
hair. There was n wistful look in the
blue eyes now and tired droop to the
mouth that last summer had seemed
made for smiles. When she reached
the steps he came out on the piazza,
and she looked up quickly.
why, Mr.. Sterling" she said, with
n tremulous little smile. what a sur
prise! How do you happen to be way
out westY"
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! on, Roger Sterling!
And this morning looked you up in
the directory"
Miss Crandal led the way to the sit
ting room. Bess was coming oat OF II,
broom in hand.
so you did remember him Mario.
rieT' she said, nodding at Roger. He
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, a stranger from way down
east and let me come here 10 live"
Mercy" Bess exclaimed. You don't