The Washington herald., 1909-08-08

she was sure he was joking. and Joined.
with relief, in his laugh.
Once in the street. Myrtle walked hest
tating coward the business section OF the
town The money Mr. Lytton had given
her would pay her fare back 20 the farm
and In another hour she could catch the
train. An electric car whirred by. and
with sinking heart she entered H. glad
70 be relieved OF the burden OF her bag.
Eff had a place 10 lay my head I
wouldn't give NJ" she unused This
money would keep me here a while. The
only trouble IS ef ] don't get work IL
would be gone, and then how would 7 get
homer"
The car. empty at this hour. bumped
her lightly. minute by minute. nearer the
station, the terminus Of all her high
hopes With beating heart she ap-
preached the conductor. a neat Young
Irishman with a pleasant smile.
DO YOU know any respectable place
where / could get a room for q dav or
two? I'm not acquainted in the city
He glanced at her curiOusiy Want
70 De down town.
Il don't care. eff it's all right; I'd
ruther not go 20 q hotel"
You see that building2' He indicated
a three-story edifce they were fast ap-
preaching MY sister has the third fat
She's got a room 10 let. Tell her Tim
O'Hara sent YOU"
He rang the bell and helped her 10
aIight.
The steep stairs that led % the fat over
the grocery were vertiable Rubicon TO
Myrtle Rowe es, with a long. backward
look at the street where the station tow
cred. she turned away and began their
ascent.
AS she waited IN the dark hail for a re-
Spouse 20 her knock. for one startled
minute she meditated flight, but upon
the opening Of the door Mrs. O'Hara's ap-
pearance treasured her, and her friendly
interest drew forth Nyrtle's fun conf
dence.
Sure, III take We in. Yeu get work all
right This IS the room. I'm glad you
like it. Ye can see all over the city,"
and she indicated the jagged skyline OF a
growing town.
The next week was severe test 10
Myrtle's endurance. as she went TO stores.
laundries. mills. and restaurants IN
search Of work. returning at night foot
sore and hopeless. sensitvely shrinking
from Mrs. O'Hara's good-natured, What
luck to-day?'
Her money shrank rapidly in spite Of
the meager food she allowed herself. Only
a few odd coins ratified in her purse one
night as she stood forlornIy watching the
homeward surge Of people. gayIy board
ing the cars on a corner
Their steadily increasing volume re-
minded her that she, too, must find some
thing 10 eat before returning to the shell
ter Of her room at Mrs. O'Hara's. After
some hesitation she mounted the steps of
a sandwich wagon. and reused an I'M
kempt looking man from the old chair
where he sat With his head buried in his
hands
Alarmed at his appearance. she would
have hastily withdrawn. but a second
look into his face showed its gaunt lines
70 be those of suffering rather than of
lie served her to the slender fare she
allowed herself to order. then watched
with anxiety her efforts 20 swallow the
poor coffee and the heavy sandwich he
he had put before her. What's the mat
ter with IT." he asked finally II wish
you'd tell me. 7 used to have the most
popular sandwich wagon in town. but my
trades all dropped away. His lipS
twitched convulsively MY wife died.
that's the secret of it. and my luck
turned that very day I'm up against
It, sure enough. 7 got 10 quit" He
threw out his hands in imaginary relin-
guishment Of the situation. and dropped
istlessly into his seat by the door.
Tor the first time IN days the light came
back TO Myrtle's Rowe's eyes. the diinple
played in her cheek. do you do the
coolSln'?"
4 try TO; amt it right?"
1T could be a great deal better" And
then they laughed together.
She looked at him q moment before |
asking. You couldn't afford to hire me.
could YOU? I'm a good cook and I'm out
Of work
Il couldn't garintee YOU a cent" He
looked at her admiringly My, bat II |
would be great 10 have you. You