Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-05-23
A CHANGE OF FORTUNE The Atonement of Ilse.

the door frame.
 How tired she was! For hours she had tramped around in the November storm, upstairs and downstairs She had rung at the various doors and opened her large leather portfolio to display the specimen pictures
 Kindly pardon me Perhaps you would like to have some photographs enlarged? They are well done, worth the price and promptly executed -she had probably said 1t hundred times, just as her employer had requested.
 'sOfily do not let yourself be confused, FrauIein," he had added, "and always keep to the business routine; that is the chief thing. If they turn you away at the front door, go in again at the rear
 Ilse shuddered. A drop of rain trick led through the crepe veil which cov- cred her face. Or was it a tear-one of those bitter tears which she had shed so often since the death of her father?
 All was different after the death of tho professor The servants had to go, tho great household was broken up, and < small dwelling in the north of the city was rented.
 There the mother sat and wept, though she said little and did not complain This cut Ilse to the heart.
 She, the spoiled daughter, who had heretofore paid little heed to the suf- ferings of others, suddenly raised her head and sought work. She went from one place of business to another, adver- tised answered advertisements and humiliated herself as much as she could, all to no avail.
 At last an acquaintance recommended her going to a firm where canvassers were wanted to solicit orders for the enlargement of photographs.
 1lse applied, She looked well-yes, the slender figure in mourning would induce people to give orders out of pity, if nothing more But she found it ditf1- cult to talk, and the orders were so few that her employer gave her to under stand that he would not need her serv- ices longer if things went on in this way.
 Ilse shuddered when she thought of it. How was she to save herself from losing her employment, her daily bread2
 She gathered up her wet skirts. and entered the house. Then she raised her head and pressed the portfolio closer to her.
 On the first story the door was not opened at all At her gentle ring on the second story a boy shut the door in her face, so that she was obliged to rest a moment after the third flight before pulling the bell
 A woman opened the door. She shook her head pleasantly when the young girl opened the portfolio.
 "No---don't need them" she said. "I let furnished rooms and the men don't want such stuff hanging about"
 Ilse quietly closed her case, and was on the point of descending the stairs, when the woman called to her again.
 Tt just occurred to me, FTaulein, one gentleman who lives here asked me re- gently if knew where one could get photographs enlarged Perhaps you can do something for him."
 Ilse turned. Isis the gentleman at home?" she asked.
 "Just wait; I'll knock, said the wom- an.
 She went to a door and knocked, while she bent her head tothe keyhole. No not a sound. He is not at home, Frat- lein. Too badl'
 The girl nodded her head as if re- signed.
 Nothing then?" she asked.
 Nothing to-day" the woman replied.
 Her feet ached and her lips burned. She had to grasp the railing for support, she was so dizzy. The landlady looked at her sympathetically.
 Come. tomorrow, early, Fraulein," she said Then Herr Valentin will be at home. It Is Atonement day. He does not go to Lee & Go. &"
 Ilse suddenly raised her head. She had heard only the word ''Valentin" and the firm name of Lee & Go. A light came before her gaze, and she saw an old picture suddenly, asif it was brought by magic to her mind.
 She saw herself, young, happy, spoiled. at a spring festival in the month of May And before her young man with dark head with brown eyes--the son of friend of her father, young mer- chant. She had played With him as child. Yet she had always kept certain distance between herself and him.
 Heavens, such an unassuming fellow. He had not even finished the preparatory school, scarcely completed the first year.
 Yet she liked to talk to him. rule over him and make him follow her caprices. And then that spring evening He told her of his new position with as much bliss as if his ship had come in.
 ''Ilse, he called her again, just as in childhood And he took her hand and stood before her as one intoxicated, and said: II had to tell you first, Ilse dear, for I love you so much, so very much!"
 What are you thinking of, Herr val- entin!"
 He grew pale before her proud glance. He spoke no more, but turned silently away.
 The girl gave a start. The woman had talked on without her having heard Now she repeated her question::
 twill Fraulein come again tomorrow,