The Green Forest tribune., 1910-10-21
CATCHING STEP
By JENNIE o. L0IZEAUX
Copyueh trou.by y Associated Literary Press

ociated Literary Press
 heart was empty. He faced the fact which was not the worst thing he did; he accepted it, which was lata., He net only recognized Loneliness anu failure and limitation-he accepted them. He had ceased to fight.
 When the two weeks were over he went back to the office. He gave up the little rented house and moved 10 a cheap boarding place. 1t was not comfortable. but neither was deb', He settled down to work and the stoop in his shoulders was most marked and his hair thinned bll more; but his smile grew very gentle and a fine quality crept into his voice. He slept and began to be really rested, and some of the daze passed
 After a few months he began to read again magazine stories-fool ish things, but they reminded him that there was somewhere. youth and love and laughter in the world
 And then there was Ninette She was the landlady's little girl, curly headed, Warm-hearted With the confidence of her four years the baby-woman walked into his heart and took possession. She would come up to his room, creep into his arms, and demand story. Unable to deny her anything, lie bestirred his memory, his imagination, and the stories became an escape from reality
 If was his first step up from the depths of apathy He would think things out to tell the baby and he took to buying her candy and cheap toys. It was the first time in years that he had practiced self-indul- gence. He did it as lover wastes gifts on the lady of his dreams. One night the child. over-tired, fell asleep. her yellow little head on his breast; and he held her awhile be fore earring her down to her mother. who was none too sorry to have the care of the child fall some. times upon this big, kind man.
 He became lighter of heart and brighter, end his work had a tinge of his boyish energy in it. It oc cured to him one morning just as the senior partner came up, to speak to him to ask for a raise Withou. giving himself time to weigh and ponder somewhat to his own sur prise. he did it confidently on the spot. The request was granted; he had forgotten that man was valued by himself and that others rated him with some dependence on this valuation
 That night he bought new gray suit and took the band from his hat 1t Was early summer. and he took Ninette out for a walk in the little park
 Sitting in a red swing in the twi light, with the sleepy child in hi: arms, all of a sudden his heart wa; full of Amy Bartlett Where wa! she? He longed to see her, to heaI her gentle voice and see the wom anly, motherly, comforting smile Being fair himself, he liked darl women; there was to him something deep and sweet about them He re membered that Amy had dimplc in her plump cheek. Then he car ried the little one home and went tt his room with his mind full of Amy Bartlett
 The next day he asked Mrs Farley who had been years in the office what had become of her. The eide woman looked at him with sort O pity, before she replied.
 Well, you actually want to know Shes at Woody ys-two whole block talking about her, let me tell vol something-your the most awfu idiot Well, it's time you wer, catching step!"
 That night he walked out of tn office thinking. What had Mrs Farley meant?-what? He did not g, home He went for a walk, passin: out of the hot streets to a quiete way, one that led to the little park It was early evening" He went alone and then suddenly he turned his heat to glance at woman sitting on bench, He met her dark eyes
 It was Amy Bartlett, and he wen straight to her-it was as if she migh disappear before he could tell he 1 something She held out her hant and gave him a smile, but there va pathetic look in her eyes. A grea { light came to him.
 Amy, he said low and breathless ly, do you know how have starved for you? how l have loved you? Do you know? l wanted you to know it will be easier then to go on alone She choked little and he say that her eyes were brimming witl tears.
 Alone? Why should it be alone John?"
 They sat long into the twilight, ant the heave past lifted itself like mist and foated away. and love re vealed her shining face. ~~->oo-~~o-o-o~o~---~-o-