The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-08-28

AT ia ELM
STREET
BY HARRIET
G.. CANFIELD
Copyright, Ion, by r. Q. Mcclure.

y Copyright 1909, by T. G. Mcclure.
O-O-O-O-O-O-OO-O-O-O-O-O-O
The young man coming up the walk
paused TO look at the address In his
notebook. Yes, this was it-"1ll 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 dusU ms ne came mp the steps:
My countrcc 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of libortce.'
lie heard no more OF the familiar
words, for the little girl-she was ten
or eleven, he thought-droppcd the
broom when she saw him crossing the
piazza. lie 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," ne said ms he
came into the hull. She did not take
the hand he stretched out To her, but
she smiled at him and displayed u dim
pie so like NIulioric Crandars that he
knew this must be her little sister.
IL don't want to get up not just
now" she said frankly Then, at his
look OF astonshmcnt, she added; Mar.
jorlC will Ice here soon; she'll show you
the rooms. You want to rent one, don't
your
The young man looked ut her and
made plans rapidly. Yes" he said
without any pcrccpublc hesitation, Il
do. My name is Sterling Roger Stcr.
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 BcSs." she said simply, MAR
iorlc may remember but | never heard
her speak OF YOU. You sit down and
wait tin she comes
Roger Sterling dropped into the chair
nearest him. hut BcSs cried in alarm:
"Mcrcy. Not that chair, Take the
one 10y the window; il has all of its
lcgsw Then she said naiycly. Il s'pose
you think it's 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 a word"
II promise" ne rad solcmnly.
She brcathcd sigh of relief then
leaned forward and said almost in a
whisper: Il am sitting here To hide a
hole. This carpet and M the bedroom
carpets are fun OF holes We've just
got TO do something now papa's dead
| Chcrc the lips quiycrcd pathctically). 50
were going To rent rooms"
Such confidence was triiling cm.
barrasSlng to her listener. hut hc was
! spared a reply. for the childish voice
went ON: Il wouldn't tell YOU II I
thought you'd mind the holes. but YOU
/ don't look as IL you'd mind much. oh.
/ they're covered. There's rug we lay
/ over this ono. hut ! took Il up. cause |
was sweeping It's Saturday. You know.
! and there's uc school Marjorie says
| it's no disgrace to be poor and IL isn't,
| but its drcadfully uncomfortable"
Roger nodded sympathetically and
tried 10 change the subject. Il am glad
you have n room TO spare" lac said.
II am fortunate in finding one so
soon"
"Oh. we have three 10 spare. You're
the first one that's nnswe,cd our al.
rertisemcnt hope you'll want TO
col Il
too. We can make more that way,