The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

knew that the fourth-floor
HO studio had been taken.
V@l l9M The next morning unfa-
miliar sounds fell from above-a mans
voice, deep and musical. leaping up
and down the scale, a cheerful, COM
panionable torrent of melody that
brought responsive smile to her face.
After that she heard it frequently.
Sometimes 1t began early in the morn
ing, while she was yet busy over the
tiny gas stove; sometimes 1t broke off
In the middle. and left her hearkening
Utmost breathlessly for the next note;
sometimes a day or two passed with
out a sound from the fourth floor, and
she was dimly conscious of sort Of
loneliness quite new to her who had
experienced so many sorts.
At first she had thought him teach.
er of music. Later she knew the
bursts Of melody were but outpourings
pf triumph, that he burst into song
when life and work were going well.
Just as she, when she had finished
bowl or tray or bit of barbarlc jewelry
that satisfied her soul, perked her lit
tie brown head like a sparrow, puck
cred her red lips, and whlstled a tune
with ludicrous effect.
On the door of her room was mod
est placard announcing to the world
that
ELIZABETH DAY,
Designer and Worker in Metals,
lived within. 1t had taken a deal of
courage to print that elizabeth" for
all her life-twenty-fve years, to be
exact-she had been simply Beth"
an abbreviation far more suited to her
diminutive statue and gentle ways
than the more pretentious entirety.
Nature had intended her, with her
soft and dainty femininity, for life of
independency in some still, untroubled
corner of the world; Fate had forced
her, at twenty into the swirling cur
rent Of New York. AS yet her work
bowls, trays and vases of silver, cop
per and brass, decorated with enamel,
bracelets, chains and buckles set with
unpublished stones-beautiful and dis
tinctive as it was, sold slowly. But
she possessed wealth of courage and
perseverance all unsupported ere the
death Of her parents had sen. her from
the little New Hampshire village to
seek her fortune. She had been in the
old house on Washington Square al
most two years when the fourth floor
studio found tenant.
One day she had learned his name.
Seeking letters from the pile in the
lower hall, she found colorman's cat
alogue addressed to "John Timson,
ESQ.," She had smiled at the name;
Timson was so unusual and quaint and
funny! John she liked; her fathers
name had been John. All the morning,
Rs she worked at the dull copper, she
strove to picture personality beft-
ting the name of John Timson.
A week later she saw him. They
met on the stairs, and he drew aside
for her; she passed, with little in
clination Of her head. All the way up
to the top she felt his gaze upon her;
but recalling the grave eyes and re-
Bpectful manner, she felt no annoy
ance, only wondered about the placket
Of her skirt. After that they bowed,
and then spoke. Meetings became
frequent. Once he had found her un-
der the striped awning of an Eighth
street grocery waiting for a shower TO
pass. He had no umbrella to offer, so
he shared her imprisonment and af-
terward, when the sun came out and
yhone resplendently on the wet roofs
and pool-dotted sidewalks, they went
home together, and discussed quite
In the manner of long acquaintances
the relative merits of fresh and con
densed milk.
That day she had examined him Ia
her hearts content. He was tall; her
head came just to his shoulder when
she tried hard. He was wide Of chesi
and shoulder, and his hands, as though
from long exposure to sun and wind
were large and capable. His mustache
and short beard were brown, as were
the grave and earnest and deepset
eyes. The nose was straight and
large, and the forehead high. He was
undeniably handsome in a strong, grin
Fashion. His habitual expression was
sober, but the smiles when they cam,
were worth waiting for. In age hi
was thirty-four. His voice was wha
attracted Beth most. 1t was in tn,
lower register, deep, soft and mel
low voice that won respect and suited
his quiet. deferential manner.
Aside from the little weazened deal
er in old worries and curiosities on tn,
tirst floor, they were the only occupants
of the house who made it their home
That served as bond of sympathy
and they soon discovered others They
were both orphans and both withou
near relatives; they were both strug
Cling for recognition-he as a palnte
of landscapes in oils, she as a worke
In metals. And then there We're mino
sympathies born of similar tastes an,
views which came to light In that frs
year of their friendship.
1t became his custom to drop int