The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-30
THE EVENING STOR r
The Girl in Black.
(By Constance D'Arcy MACK

thy constance Darcy Mackay.1
In a shaded spot, Just inside the en-
trance of Central Park, a girl was sit
ting She was all in black, from the
low shoes. Her face was pale with the
paleness of a summer spent in the city
her brown hair rfpDled back from a
smooth white forehead. her eyes were
deep gray, Steadfast and courag eOus.
And l have need of cOurage!" Cor
nelia Stratton murmured. For two
months she had been hunting a posi-
ton, and so far she had not found one,
although she had been able to subsd-
tute at a large commercial office for
ceived for that had by careful hoard
ing, saved her from actual want. Yet,
as time dragged on, her money dwtn-
died and there seemed no hope in
sight.
Il shouldn't complain" she said.
valiantly. its the lot of many another
girl who goes to a big city where she
has neither friends nor relatives to
help her. But. oh, I do wish could
find something. I'm SO tired of disap-
pointrnents.'
From where she sat she could hear
the ceaseless hum and stir of the city.
There had been hours when it seemed
TO call like a challenge, and her heart
beat in answer to IT. Now 1t frightened
her. 1t seemed SO vast, SO overwhelm-
ing. There were so many problems to
be met and mastered. one of them
was clothes.
She had chosen to dress in black be-
cause ii was the most economical. Her
deft fingers had fashioned a chic hat
for trif1ing sum, and for the rest,
she wore the same suit, day in and day
out, taking such scrupulous care of it
that She looked as well grOomed as
many a woman of mems.
Each day, when she had searched
for work till she was too tired to search
fs1r elo cit in he arb
where everything was green and quiet,
where squirrels frisked unmolested
across the grass and where the clear
liquid notes of birds lent a semblance
of the country. There were moments
when the scene charmed Cornelia, but
Oftener she was too diSheartened to
care. What am I to do If this state
of affairs lasts much longer2" she
unused on this sitting afternoon in mid
August. She was utterly respondent.
Her hands were clasped listlessly in
her lap, and she shut her eyes to keep
back the tears. When she opened them
again she encouraged the direct gaze
of a man sitting on the bench OppO-
site her. He was well set up young
fellow of about nine and twenty, broad
shouldered and smooth slIaven. AS
their eyes met the pity that was in his
look changed to something deeper.
Take courage" the look said life is
battle for all of US. Fight on"
Cornelia turned away her head, her
heart futtering strangely. Some one
in all that vast city had seen, had
cared. Its simply nonsense" she told
herself; hes never seen me before,
nor I him" Yet already she felt
cheered. Unrolling a newspaper she
held in her hand, she went over its
want column again. At the next Of
flee where she applied the business
manager noted something bright and
spirited in. her aspect that augured
well for her. I'm the happiest girl
IN y7o 1xyl1n l a Eh a a ar
few minutes later, for she had found
a position at last.
The winter months sped quickly and
pleasantly. There was SO much to do
and so much to see-the shops the
theaters, the >surging throngs son
Broadway, and the great promea$de
on Fifth avenue at twilight when
countless carriages blocked the cross
beauty of the earth seemed to shine
before Cornelia's delighted eye. 1t
grew to be q custom with her in go
ing to and from her work to search
the faces of the passersby in the half
confessed hope that sometime, some
where, she should again catch a
glimpse of the man whom she had
seen in the park. 1t was a wish, how
ever, that seemed destined to remain
unfulfilled.
But one Saturday as she loitered in
a crowded downtown art gallery, she
came face to face with a picture that
held her amazed and spellbound, for
it was a portrait of herself. Half
trembling and turning the leaves of her
catalogue with nervous fingers, she
read its name: THE Girl in Black by
George HeathWoOd.
And certainly the best thing you've
done, George, old man." said a boyish
looking fellow at her elbow; sits the
hit of the exhibition, and such n simple
thing, too! Just a girl with a pretty
f1ower-like face. sitting on a bench in
the park. Oh. I remember. She's the
one you cnce told me about Have you
found her yet, George p
Not yet" said a voice that made
Cornelias heart leap. mot yet; but
mean to if I have to spend all my life
in trying"
And find her when you're at the
tender age of forty You needn't frOwn
SO savagely! I'm sure you've often
been near her when you haven't in the
least suspected it. Today, for instance.
Have you searched this room thor
oughIy? For you know it's a true say
ing" drawied the boy over his shout
der, as he moved away that love
makes people blind"
what do you mean" Heathwood
began, and then, turning, caught sight
Of Cornelia. "Youi' he said softly, be-
meath his breath "You!"
Cornelia flushed.
'sI beg your pardon" he said, quick
X, "but since circumstances are what
they are 1 am going to call truce 20
convention, and ask you to do me
favor. VIII you please stay just where
you are for two minutesi Promise me
that you will not go away" lie evil
IDENTIFY took her reply for granted, for
he did not wait to hear il. But before
half the allotted time was up he re-
turned with a distinguished. gray
haired woman, whom many people in
the room seemed to know, for they
bowed to her as she passed
ITS Mrs. Heathwood," Cornelia
heard some one whisper. THE mother
of the famous young illustrator"
Eeathwood approached Cornelia-
Mother" he said, Il want you to
meet DTiss-Miss-''
"stratton," Cornelia murmured.
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