Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-05-19
A CHANGE
OF FORTUNE
The Atonement Of Use.


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 we'll done, worth
the price and promptly executed"-she
had probably said 1t hundred times,
just as her employer had requested.
"Only do not let yourself be confused.
Fraulein." he had added, land 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"
Use shuddered. A drop of rain trick
led through the crepe veil which COW
cred her face. Or was 1t tear-one OF
those bitter tears which she had shed
30 often since the death of her father?
All was different after the death of the
professor. The servants had to so, the
great household was broken up. and a
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
Inundated 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 Tor the
enlargement of photographs.
Use applied. She looked well-yes
the slender figure in mourning would
induce people to give orders out OF pity
| II nothing more. But she found 1t diff
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 II things went on In tfls
way.
Ilse shuddered when she thought o.
Il. How was she to save herself from
losing her employment, her daily bread
She gathered up her wet skirts ant
entered the house. Then she raised hel
head and pressed the portfolio closer t
her.
On the first story the door was mo-
opened at all. At her gentle ring on The
second story boy shut the door in hel
face, so that she was obliged to rest
moment after the third flight before
pulling the bell.
A woman opened the door. She shooi
her head pleasantly when the young cir
opened the portfolio.
"No-don't need them" she said. y
let furnished rooms and the men dom
want such stuff hanging about"
Use quietly closed her case, and wa'
on the point of descending the stairs
when the woman called to her again.
ut just occurred to me, Fraulein. ont
gentleman who lives here asked me re-
Gently If | knew where one could ge'
photographs enlarged. Perhaps you car
do something for him."
Use turned. Isis the gentleman a
home?" she asked.
Just wait; I'll knock" said the WON
an.
She went to a dooi and knocked. while
she bent her head to tie keyhole. NO
not q sound. He is not at home. Frau
lein. Too bad!"
The girl nodded her head as II re
signed.
Nothing them" 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 alphabetically.
Come tomorrow, early, Fraulein,'
she said. Then Herr Valentin Will bt
at home. It is Atonement day. He does
not go to Lee & Co. 81
Use suddenly raised her head. She
had heard only the word "Valentin" ant
the firm name of Lee & Co. A ligh'
came before her gaze. and she saw ar
old picture suddenly. as If 1t was brought
by magic to her mind.
She saw herself, young. happy, spoiled
at a spring festival in the month o.
May. And before her young man witt
a dark head with brown eyes-the sol
of a friend of her father, a 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 ovel
him and make him follow her caprices
And then that spring evening. He told
her of his new position with as much
bliss as II his ship had come In.
Else" he called her again, Just as II
childhood. And he took her hand and
stood before her as one intoxicated, ant
said: 81 had to tell you first. Use dear
for love you so much, so very much!'
What are you thinking of, Herr Val
sntin!"
He grew pale before her proud glance
He spoke no more, but turned SILENT!
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