Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1904-01-07
AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR
Nj.
Copyrighted, Publishing Company

Joan climbed YEARLY up the stairs
to her third story room. She seldom
felt tired, but tonight the whole world
looked criss-cross.
She was a stranger in the city and
among people who gave her no
thought. She had been that many
time in many a place, yet never be-
fore in her twenty-six years had the
thought SO oppressed her She had
hailed with delight the chance of
work here for few weeks, as giving
her the opportunity of seeing the
place she had long desired to visit
But the weeks had grown very long.
In spite of her pride and beauty Of
health and vigor she was essentially
a womanly woman, dependent upon
her friends and surroundings for her
happiness. Caring for herself had not
robbed her of certain femininity.
In general she was somewhat feared
at the New York office, feared because
of her ability to do-admired for her
bright, successful ways. Yet even
there she had her true friends.
She sigher, wishing herself back in
her accustomed room in the great
apartment house where she lived. It
was Thursday, her night at home 1t
would be just time for her evening
callers and she would be dressed in
one of her few, dainty, evening gowns.
Probably Mrs. Massey, dear, old Mrs.
Massey, whose presence was neces-
sary to the well-being of the simple
refreshments, would be there; and
Gerald Burton, her old-t time school
mate, who still kept brotherly eye
on her; and few clever men and
women like herself, trying to earn a
living by that uncertain weapon. the
pen.
Then she lighted the gas and laid
the letter which had been troubling
her all day on her desk She walked
head against the sash. The warm
May night was heavy with the scent
of hyacinths and magnolias growing
il the square.
Hateful things! No more south
ern blooms for mel" she muttered.
"One dusty New York park is worth
all this luxuriance."
As she stood there, she thought it
all oyer-her life. When still a mere
child she had taught in the western
country schools. She had worked her
way, finally, into the public schools of
large city, only to find the drudgery
a shade worse than in the rural dis
tricts. How she had hated it all. but
it had been the only possible thing
Then with the death of those depend
ent on her exertions she had come
to New York to carve a career for her
self II had been hard work and slow
but now, after three years, she had
gained certain foothold, and held a
position with prominent publishing
house. She had been sent down here
to write a series of articles on the
great exhibition in progress. Hel
material was all collected, and she
was ready to return to New York
filled with pleasant memories of heI
southern visit. Now this to spoil II
all!
Why must he write now, just when
she was so happy over the idea of re
turning to New York that she eould
not decide whether her independent
life was happy one or not 1t was
from the editor, the great editor him
sell, and it was neither check nor &
reprimand, the two things to be ex
pected from him. 1t was love letter
She thought of the big house, the
servants and the carriages, she aderef
luxury, and had never had any of It
She thought also of the gray-haired
dignified man, not old. but very mid
dle-aged and wise. Was 1t possible he