The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-07-15

and down the scale, a cheerful, COM
panlonable torrent Of melody that
brought a responsive smile TO her face.
After that she heard II frequently.
Sometimes II began early In the morn
ing, while sho was yet busy over the
tiny gas stove; sometimes IL broke off
in the middle, and left her hearkening
almost breathlessly for the next note;
sometimes 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
or Of music. Later she knew the
bursts Of melody were but outpourings
Of trismph, that he burst into song
when life and work were going well,
just as she, when she had finished q
bowl or tray or bit Of barbaric jewelry
that satisfied her soul, perked her lit
tie brown head like sparrow, puck
cred her red lips, and whistled tune
with ludicrous effect.
. On the door of her room was q mod
est placard announcing TO the world
that
ELIZABETH DAY,
Designer and Worker In Metals,
lived within. II had taken n deal OF
courage to print that elizabeth" for
all her life-twenty-flve years, to be
eXact-she had been simply Beth"
an abbreviation far more suited to her
diminutive statue and gentle ways
than the more pretentlous 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 anC vases Of silver, cop
per and brass, decorated with enamel,
bracelets, chains and buckles set with
unpublished stones-beautiful and dis
tinctlve as IL was, sold slowly. But
she possessed wealth Of courage and
perseverance all unsuspected 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-noor
studio found tenant
One day she had learned his name.
Seeking letters from the pile in the
lower hall, she found a colorman's cat
alogue addressed TO John Tlmson,
ESQ.," She had smiled at the name;
Tlmson was so unusual and quaint and
funny! John she liked; her fathers
name had been John. All the morning,
ms she worked at the dull copper, she
strove TO picture a 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-
spectful manner she felt no annoy
ance, only wondered about the placket
of her skirt. After that they bowed
and then spoke. Meetings became
freqrent 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
ne shared her imprisonment. and af-
terward, when the sun came out and
shone 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 10
her hearts content He was tall; her
head came just TO his shoulder when
she tried hard. He was wide Of chest
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 strong, grim
fashion. His habitual expression was
sober, but the smiles when they came
were worth waiting for. In age he
was thirty-four. His voice was what
attracted Beth most. IL was In the
lower register. a deep, soft and mel
low voice that won respect and suited
his quiet. deferential manner.
Aside from the little weazened deal
er in old ivories and curiosities on the
first floor, they were the only occupants
of the house who made IL their home.
That served as bond Of sympathy
and they soon discovered others. They
were both orphans and both without
near relatives; they were both strug.
Cling for recognition-he as a painter
of landscapes in oils, she as n worker
in metals. And then there were minor
sympathies born OF similar tastes and
views which came to light in that first
year Of their friendship.
1t became his custom TO drop into
her room for a moment on lis way M
and down stairs, and then in the even
ings for long. enjoyable talks. while
lie sat in her one easy chair ant
smoked and she worked away at al
order or did her mending Once a weel
he descended tremendously, immac
ulately clean, brt diffusing a stroni
odor OF paint. and took luncn with her
gravely marvellng at the display an,
pretending alarm at her recklessnes'
Indeed. those luncheoDs for two wer
invariably followed the next day b.
n repast for one Of Spartan simplicity
Once he had returned her hosptalit
he had sold small canvas-and the
had dined sumptuousy q. one end Q