Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-09-02
NeiigE lbors
BY Able FARWELL BROWN
Copyright, by J. B. Lippincott Coz

her next-door neighbor. This was not
strange, for the twin dwellings were
not in the fashionable quarter of the
city, and even on the avenue it is a
wise woman who knows her own
neighbor.
The house adjoining bore in it's win
dow wistful printed Signs of empti-
hungry clearinghouse 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 it's window the admiring eyes OF
Miss Fanny Bate, typewriter, had in
a years off-hours watched the incom-
ings and outgoings of Miss Beacon.
her feminine ideal.
In the earlier days it had seemed 20
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
rs far from meeting as at first.
More than once she had met Miss
9eacon on the street and had shot
imid glances of recognition. But Dor
othy passed, always obliyious OF the
1eutral-tinted figure hesitating on
curb or crossing. Dorothy was not
;nobbish, she was merely preoccupied.
Late one spring afternoon Dorothy
vas crossing the common on her way
home from a tea. The sun slanted
through the trees pleasantly and
Labeled with golden reflections the
mild surface of the pond. A small,
jagged child was playing alone on the
;urbing, reaching out carelessly over
he water. Even as Dorothy passed
he child lost her balance and splashed
onward. Instantly Dorothy ran to the
escue, and, forgetting her dainty raj
lent, without much difficulty succeed
in dragging out the frightened mite.
ooh, you poor little thing!" she
ried, what am l going to do with
on? Where do you live, Baby?" But
he child walled unintelligibly. Dor
thy looked about for assistance.
At the moment little, brown fig
re hurried up from the other side OF
ne pond. Fanny Bate, on her way
ONE from the office, had seen the res
ne with mingled emotions. Here was
er heroine in difficulty. Perhaps this
as the chance she sought to insert
he wedge of friendship. She ap-
reached with heightened color.
b Il saw it all from the other side,
he said in timid admiration. "How
uick you were! Can't do something
help you? Here, let her have my
.olf-cap to keep her warm" and she
pulled the wrap from her shoulders
But the child drew away from the
newcomer and chung, roaring, to the
others skirts. Dorothy knelt beside
her and gently insinuated the cape
about her. Now tell me where you
live, Baby" she cooed, with a caress
on the dripping curls. The child
sobbed out the number of an obscure
and dubious street.
Salvation Alley-oh, yes, l know
where that is" said Dorothy briskly;
81 will get her home in no time"
"But you oughtn't to go alone ex
claimed Miss Bate. tits not a nice
part of the city, is it? Let me &c
With you
Miss Beacon was not used to sug
nh
he said. 81 can go quite we'll alone
visit the North End often in my
harity work But | will take car
iage." She stopped to take the child's
land
Polly tired!" walled the little one
Lady carry Polly and she put uI
er dripping arms.
"Oh, let mel" cried the other girl
topping forward eagerly. 1T won't
,urt my old dress" But the baby set
Up a howl.
mo! Want pretty LADY," she cried
.urning to Dorothy with emphatic
preference. The girl smiled without
l trace of conceit "You see, must
TO-" she said. Thank you very much
,ut it will be all right when we are
in the carriage" But at the word
she stopped and her face flushed.
Miss Bate was hesitating, disap
pointed at the turn of affairs, when
Dorothy changed her mind Excuse
me-" she said, eff you will go with
me. after all, and if you will lend me
the money for the carriage, l shall
be greatly obliged. forgot that
have not my purse with me-"
Fanny Bate had in her bag her
weeks salary. ooh, yes" she smiled
ioyfully, Il shall be so glad. 1t is Sc
much nicer for two to do an unpleas.
ant thing together, isn't it?"
Dorothy picked up the child, and
the rescuers made their way to the
street. where Fanny hailed cab and
they were soon rolling northward.
Once in the cab, the baby fell asleep
and Fanny subsidized into bashfulness
The Joy of being thus suddenly face
10 face with her adored filled her with
elf-consciousness. But Dorothy
beamed with affability, and soon they
we're chatting about the queer and
Iuaint corners of the old city, which
Fanny apologized for not knowing bet.
ter. 81 am stranger here" she said.
II know little of the city and very few
people-yet."
"You will soon find yourself at
home" said the other girl. Il know
hard to approach, but I don't believe
it, She smiled so winningly that
Fanny Bates heart beat with triumph.
The gates were opening!