Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-09-29
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
FOR VALUE RECEIVED

light from an open doorway fell. The
man who had just alighted from the
elevator and was slowly strolling along,
paused by this doorway and looked in.
| II was not alone curiosity that held
him there, sudden slight faintness
had attacked him and he was glad Of
the support of the door.frame. He
clutched at this as his eyes searched
the interior of the room. 1t was an Of.
flee of some sort, with several desks
and numerous chairs, but its only oc.
cupant was girl at typewriter table
near the center Of the room.
The man In the doorway looked hard
az this girl-she was quite unconscious
of his prcsence-and he liked the poise
of her head and the way her hair was
dressed. and the dainty collar about her
white throat And there was some.
thing fascinating about the play of her
white fingers above the keys. And then
all at once the white fingers seemed to
blend together and he found his cluth
on the door frame growing tighter.
Perhaps the girl heard him as he
strove to hold himself up. Anyway,
she suddenly looked around and saw
him. In moment she had risen and
pushed her chair back and was coming
toward him.
81 beg pardon" she rapidly said, "bs
you are ill.,"
He tried to humble something in re.
turn, but the words refused TO take
shape.
Come to the window" she said. I'm
sure you need air."
She took his arm and half led, half
supported him across the room and put
him in an easy chair by the window
and raised the sash q little higher.
Then she turned and ran TO a corner
and returned with glass Of water.
When she returned his head had drop.
ped back. He had tainted.
When he came back to consciousness
soft hand was moistening his brow
and two sympathetic eyes were looking
shut again and took a long breath OF
satisfaction.
| Are you better now?'
II was delightful voice.
much better, thank you.'
He opened his eyes again. She had
drawn back and her hand no longer
rested on his forehead.
Here is a glass OF water"
He slipped little.
Thank you" he said again. so sor.
ry TO have troubled you
THE trouble is nothing. You are
sure you are getting stronger"
yes. would like to rest here for
few minutes II you don't object. |
will go just as soon as my strength
comes back"
"You are welcome TO stay as long as
you like"
Thank you once more. 1t was fool.
ish for me to collapse In that weak
fashion. But | have been ILL.,"
Eyes, see you have"
1T was fever and am not myself
/ yet. The sun affects me so quickly.
But ] am drawing you from your
work"
mo. want to know that you are
all right again before | go back to It,.
Do you wish me to call anybody"
mo, no. All | want Is a little rest
and the fresh air."
She looked at him keenly. His clothes
were very plain and they were not
new.
Have you had any breakfast"
Very little" he answered.
Perhaps that Is one reason why you
grew faint Excuse Inc for moment 4"
He followed her with wondering eyes
as she went When she returned she
had something wrapped in tissue paper.
II was toothsome looking sandwich.
Eat that" she commanded. you
/ need not be afraid of being observed.
The desk hides you from the doorway,
and Mr.. Milliken will not be back be-.
fore noon" And she put the sandwich
in his hand.
But ! am robbing you of your
luncheon"
II am sure you need II more than
do. Eat II, please"
She spoke as II he were an obstinate
child. And he obeyed her.
She watched him for brief moment,
then turned back to her typewritlng.
When she came back little later every
crumb had vanished.
1T was awfully good" he said. but
that goes without saying. You see
haven't left even crumb for a souve.
mir"
She looked at him keenly again.
I'm afraid she said, that you are
not as good to yourself as you should
be. Why don't you eat when you need
the food, and why do you walk in the
street, when the sun affects you? But
there" she hastily added, 1T is no az.
fair of mine"
II am glad to have your sympathy"
he said. 1T is novelty to have any.