The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-09-03
|Neiighbors
-
" ABsIE rARvELL sHowH
(Cspyright, BY J. B. Lippincott COZ

her nextdoor nesghbor. This was not
strange, for the twin dwellings were
not In the fashionable quarter OF the
city, and even on the avenue 1t is
wise woman who knows her own
ueighbor.
The house adjoining bore In its win
dow wistful printed signs Of empu-
ness nnsatisfied. In the eye OF the
| hungry boarding house one can usual
~ read little divers appeal for
more" But the hall bedroom in the
| third floor front Of this particular
clearinghouse was no aching void
| From its window the admiring eyes OF
Miss Fanny Bate, typewriter, had In
years off-hours watched the incom-
ings and outgoings Of Miss Beacon.
her feminine ideal.
In the earlier days IL had seemed TO
| Miss Bate, fresh from rustic ameni-
ties, the obvious thing that she and
| Miss Beacon should become friends.
But, as the long. lonely days went by,
Dorothy came and went her joyous
way. and the paths OF the two seemed
as far from meeting as at first.
More than once she had met Miss
Beacon or the street and had shot
timid glances of recognition. But Dor
othy passed, always oblivious Of the
neutral-tinted figure hesitating on
curb or crossing. Dorothy was not
snobbish, she was merely preoccupied.
Late one spring afternoon Dorothy
was crossing the common on her way
home from tea. The sun slanted
through the trees pleasantly and
dabbled with golden reflections the
mild surface Of the pond. A small,
ragged child was playing alone on the
curbing, reaching out carelessly over
the water. Even as Dorothy passed
the child lost her balance and splashed
forward. Instantly Dorothy ran to the
rescue. and, forgetting her dainty raj
ment. without much difficulty succeed
ed In dragging out the frightened mite.
"Oh, you poor little thing." she
cried, "what am / going to do with
you? Where do you live, Baby?" But
the child walled unintelligibly. Dor
othy looked about for assistance.
At the moment little, brown fig.
ure hurried up from the other side Of
the pond. Fanny Bate, on her way
home from the Office, had seen the res.
cue with mingled emotions. Here was
her heroine in difficulty. Perhaps this
was the chance she sought to insert
the wedge of friendship. She ap
preached with heightened color.
Il saw 1t all from the other side.
| he a.. alp mir
quick you were! Can't do something
to help you? Here. let her have m,
golf-cap to keep her warm" and She
| pulled the wrap from her shoulders
But the child drew away from tbs
newcomer and chung, roaring, to tn,
others skirts. Dorothy knelt beside
her and gently insinuated the cap'
about her. Now tell me where yol
q live, Baby" she cooed, with a cares
n on the dripping curls. The chill
l. sobbed out the number of an obscure
y and dubious street.
n salvation Alley-oh. yes. / know
e where that is" said Dorothy briskiy
|, Il will get her home in no time"
i But you oughtn't to go Alone" es
1t claimed Miss Bate. IT'S not a mic
part Of the city. is it? Let me 6
r with YOU"
% Miss Beacon was not used to sut
J. gestions. "0h, no, indeed. thank you,
she said. Il can go quite we'll alone
1. | visit the North End often In m
Id charity work. But l will take cal
10 riage." She stopped to take the child
r. hand.
Polly tired" walled the little on,
IL Lady carry Polly" and she put u
n her dripping arms.
IS .Oh, let mel" cried the other cir
he stepping forward eagerly. 1T won
r: hurt my old Dress" But the baby Sc
II. up howl.
No. Want pretty lady!" she erie,
:. turning to Dorothy with emphatl
at preference. The girl smiled witho,
"a a trace of conceit. You see. I mus
TO CO." she said. Thank you very mucl
Id but it will be all right when we a.
e. In the carriage. But at the wor
er she stopped and her face flushed.
h' Miss Bate was hesitating, disa
n. pointed at the turn of affairs, whe
10 Dorothy changed her mind. "Excus
OF me-" she said. "if you will go wit
I. me, after all. and if you viii lend n
- the money for the carriage. / sha
~ be greatly obliged. forgot that
- have not my purse with me-"
Fanny Bate had in her bag h
no weeks salary. "oh. yes. she smile
DIV joyfully, Il shall be SO glad. It is /.
as much nicer for two to do an unplea
'os ant thing together, isn't it,"
"a Dorothy picked up the child, al
~ the rescuers made their way to Il
~ street, where Fanny hailed cab al
=. they were soon rolling northwar
=. Once In the cab. the baby fell aslee
. ae and Fanny subsidized into bashfulnes
aa The Joy Of being thus suddenly IA
:, to face with her adored filled her wi
49, self.consciousness. But Dorotl
beamed with aifability. and soon tn