Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-27

When they made I'D their minds you
wasn't a-comin they asked Ellen Mullane
to 60 with 'em. She was awful tickled
10 be asked Ellen amt had many beaux
Can't you wait for 'em?"
mo. / got to get supper It's my Sun
day in Tell 'em / come as soon as
could. won't you?" She hesitated pathet-
ically Ellen is about Mr. Murphys size,
amt she. Miss Earley?"
IL shouldn't wonder if she was. She's
awful tall"
Ibid Mr. Murphy have on his blue
suit?'
well. now. l never noticed He looked
real nice. and Ellen give him dahlia for
his buttonhole. He's just had a raise at
the mill and is feelin' awful good over
it,
Mamie looked So white and tired that
evening as she waited on the table that
even Mrs. Cooley noticed it.
Shes nice little girl she said TO the
inattentive Lillian; meat and clean and
intelligent but not strong. l fear she
won't be able to do the work. What do
you suppose possessed her to array her
self in that way for dinner? Those mill
girls have no idea of their place"
Promptly at s O'Clock Mr.. Murphy.
broad of shoulder clear of eye and strong
of chin. hestated in front Of the Cooleys'
imposing structure. The front door, pro-
tected by a vestibule. was rather awe
inspiring: the kitchen far in the rear he
did not even consider. He finally de-
cided on IA small side entrance seldom
used The una ccustomed ring OF the bell
startled Lillian Cooley from her book,
and thinking il was some neighbor call
ing Informally. she Hospitality opened inc
door herself
us Miss Ryan home?"
She started nervously at the heavy bass
voice from the dim outline of broad Mr..
Murphy and half closed the door.
No she said timidly. this is Mrs.
Cooley's residence; YOU must have the
wrong house"
Mr. Murphy slowered in the darkness.
then explained huskiy:
Miss Mamie Ryan-they told me She
works here
"ob," Lillian calculated. YOU mean
Mary, OF course, didn't know her last
name. Go to the kitchen door. please;
think she's still here" And. closing the
door gently. she went back to her book
Mr. Murphy walked out of the yard in
high dudgeol. feeling he had been insult
ed He walked around the block his
smooth face flushing hotly. lie hesltated
for a long moment between the cars mat
whirred down the center of the town WIN
a cracking accompaniment OF electric
sparks and the dim yard of the Cooieys.
At last he turned back and walked reso-
lutely to the kitchen door. Mamie, still In
her tinery. opened it.
Why Mr.. Murphy" she said faintiy.
and Mr. Murphy. beautiful to see In his
new blue suit, but little pale aoout the
Uus entered the kitchen. Mamie gazed
helnlesslv at him as he found himself
hard. straisht-back chair by the table
One gas Jet burned feebly from the nigh
hare ceiling. The room was not over
claaplv Rertha took pride in its ap-
pearance- She met ilei o"h 1o"hs man
On 10
Mr. Murphy gazed steadily at Mamie as
she talked To him breathlessly. She hard
sands trembled in her lap She made no
analogy for the change in her situation:
she could only ignore II. She asked for
their various friends at the mill as II they
had been long parted and MT. Murphy
answered as was his custom. in monosyl-
ladies They sat stiff1y on either side or
the kitchen table. and Mamie felt that n
size stopped talking Tor an instant she
would surely cry
tube interrupted the monolo ne. Mr..
Murphy could hear Mrs. Cooley's voice
from the floor above:
Mary. did you forget to turn down the
he6s and to bring up some lee WatAr?
With a shamefaced glance OF apology
Mamie left the kitchen, leaving Mr.. Muir
ply gazing steadily in front of him He
locked larger and more massive than
usual sitting in the sun wooden chdlr
under the one dim light.
Mamie was gone some time. She dut!-
fully turned down the beds in the rooms
above.
Don't forget the ice water. Nay,
Mrs Cooley called aTier fer retreat!ns
figure Mamie thought of the dark cellar
which SHE would have to face in getting
the ice from the iceboX. Once she had
seen a rat stiittle down the staiIs.
Mr. Murphy" she said bravely, will
YOU hold the candle while get some ice?''
Mr. Murphy rose heavily from his seat
and together they descended the stairs.
He took the ice pick from her trembling
hand and struck a great blow, so that
the ice splintered about them and made
them laugh.
MY but you're strong" she said ad-
miringiy. then irrelevantly, gazing up into
his good. honest blue eyes:
Il wish. Mr.. Murphy, that ] had home
where you could come TO see me. ! hope
this amt for long" She shaded the can
die with her hand to see him better, as
he stood. large and, powerful holding the
ice pick like a weapon.
1T won't be for long. darlin'." Mr..
Murphy said husk:ly. He passed one pow
erfun arm around her yielding waist.
Why Mamie, that's what ! come to
say"