The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-25
AKIN TO LOVE.
By LOUISE MERRIFIELD.

The Battersons never give him anything
and It's up 10 me 10 see that he gets his
feed. And / don't want him 10 80 To
school hungry"
No, indeed said Miss Orvis. emphat-
ically Than she hesitated. Hardy had
rambled over 10 the coIored charts and
was busy She lowered her voice rs she
asked: Hasn't he any one 1t ALL mean
any enc OF his own people2"
No, ma am. Reddy answered earnest
ly. My mother got him out of the
loundiiugS when he was about two
months old. They let's the kids out up
there, YOU know. two-dfty a week. and
The old lady thinks maybe il would be
company for her with me away nights
His father took tumble of "a ferryboat
and Just as she was leaving Hardy up at
the 1Cundlings'. his mother Topped an 10
once ana died. too So 1 took him when
my mother died last winter, and the two
Of US has bachelors han over on Cherry
street"
1T was very kind of YOU" Miss Orvis
tried 90 say more, bur the words would
not come. II was all 50 brief. so simple.
and awful. this little tragedy Of the very
poor man.
Il haven't been sorry did t. There's
always enough for him. and I'd like to
give him a chance. He's thoroughbred.
all right"
Perhaps I can help. too" said Miss
orvis. hesitatiuEly, half shyly. I'd like
To ever 50 much"
Reddy's clear. anxious eyes looked at
her longingly In her trim, girlish way.
with the glamour Of another world about
her, world apart from the bridge"
and Cherry street. she seemed TO Iypify
all be wanted his little thoroughbred to
attain.
Il could take him with me over to the
settlement she went on amy evening.
or afternoon. perhaps with a swift up
lift of her long lashes az him: "perhaps
YOU might like Il, too. Mr. Lane?"
Like it2 Reddy walked on tiptoe all
the way downstairs, his eyes stH fun Of
wonder like those OF dream haunted
child. and Hardy had TO dodge the troll
leys himself 40 the Bowery crossing.
The next night. as Pauline Crvis went
up the steps OF the Eudeavor settlement.
she found the two already there waiting
patiently And as she laid her hand I'm
the warm, strong grip OF Reddy Lane.
she felt as though fate had laid a trap
for love. with sympathy as "a snare.
And after that night "a queer thing hap
pened 20 the teacher in Room Il Every
morning as she stood an the head OF the
stairs with the two lines Of small BOYS
passing her, all at once the color would
rise IN her cheeks as Hardy drew near.
For not single morning passed that he
did not bear a love-ofiering Of fresh vio-
lets He conhded 20 her the very first
morning where they came from.
Red gets them from an old man on
the bridge every morning fresh. He says
they look like Won ~
One night toward the end Of June they
stood out on the stone balcony Of the
settlement house. looking down on the
crowds passing below along the highway
OF pushCarts Miss Orvis was pleading
the cause Of Hardy.
Let me take him with me for the sum-
mer," she begged. 1T has done him so
much good. being with me"
Some one else too murmured Reddy;
but she went on.
i am going to the mountains, and he
would be 50 much company for me. Be
sides. it Will give you time 10 study, If.
that is if" she hesitated and bent far
Their away from him over the broad. low
parapet IF YOU really intend taking the
civil-engincering course
You know what ] intend doing" he
interrupted. You know just as well as I
and me OF course he can go with you.
suppose 1 may run up now and then,
just 10 see how he's getting on2"
"Oh, Of course" Her voice was low
and without invitation.
And If I pass. and get the Harrison
appointment this fall, why, It's you that's
10 blame"
'Blame?" The word left her startled
and vaguely frightened
That's what l said. You've taken
and encouraged me the same as you
have the boy. and made both of US love
you to death. Oh. you know it's so all
right And If I do win out and make
something Of myself. it's YOU that made
me try and feel it was worth while. Be
fore ! was only thinking of the boy, and
working for him. but now"
'Yes2" He could hardly catch her
whisper but his hand suddenly crushed
over hers as 1t lay lightly beside him.
Now it's for you and me. Can l come
if I win the appointment
Down in the street below some one was
playing on a harp, while a ring of chill
dren danced and sang the chorus Of
popular song The words hoated up to
the shadOWy balcony
Lie IS so short that when we die,
lis time enough 20 say goodby.'
She turned her face to his
Come anyway" she said.
copyrighted 1907. By p C. Eastmentl