The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-07
THE EVENING STORY
The Little Lonely Girl.
(By Temple Bailey.)

a prisoner. Hence, on the first sun
shiny morning in October she sailed
high up in the tall tenement, with a
sense of joy and of freedom unknown
to those whose lives are not bounded
by four narrow walls.
The Little Lonely Girl carried very
small basket and a thumbed paper
shabby shawl. She stepped lightly,
however, as if her feet wanted to fly
over the ground and take her as quick
ly as possible from the grimy street
where she lived.
1t was 10 o'clock when she reached
the goal of her desires. Most people
would have seen nothing attractive in
the stretch of stone sea wall at the end
of the smoke stained city park. But
there was a curve in the wall which
made rest for the Little Lonely Girls
back, and, with the shawl tucked in for
a cushion and her book on her lap, she
could read and watch the ships, ana
drink in the freshness of the sharp,
salt air.
At noon she was ready for her lunch.
and the hard-boiled egg and slice Of
bread seemed wholly inadequate to the
demands of her appetite. She ate the
very last crumb, then flung the box
from the top of the wall. With it went
fine white napkin, which was a left
over from more affluent days. She
craned her neck to look where it fell,
and saw it flutter across the eyes Il a
man who lay half asleep on the sands
below.
He looked up.
Would you mind" she hesitated,
handing it up to me?''
He was on his feet in moment
Wait III 1 catch it," he called.
. AS she watched him run after it there
seemed something familiar in the long
stride.
Therefore she was ready to say de-
murely, who would have thought of
seeing you here?"
He peered up at her through his
glasses. "Babbie," he said. "by all the
fates! Did you drop from the SKYE"
She shook her head. 'T was watch
ing the ships from the sea wall"
wait till 1 come up," he said. and
made quick ascent.
Now tell me-" he commanded. He
sat dow beside her on the shawl.
The telling was not easy. ct am Hv-
Ing here in the city and earning my
living"
How" was his quick question.
She evaded him. "And this is the
first clear day for a long time, SO I
took holiday and brought my lunch
and my book. and-it's lovely"
In spite of the brave tone, he was
not deceived: His keen eyes had noted
the shabby black shoe tucked under
the worn skirt, the plain little hat and
the questionable coat. It was not
thus that Babbie had CARRIED herself in
her butterfly days,
"Babbie," he said, grave1y, what
has happened to you, child %
mustn't tell you,'' she whispered.
He leaned down to look in her eyes.
why not?"
Because I don't want-pity."
All" His hand went over hers
in sudden hard clasp. rs it as bad
as that?'
Eyes. I have almost died of Ioneli-
ness-and you were the only one who
might have helped-and couldn't ask
YOU
''Why not?"
81 think you know"
Because you sent me away when
you were prosperous, you wouldn't call
me back when you were poor? Is that
it, Babbie?"
Yes
Don't you know that my love
wouldn't ask questions? Don't you
know that I've been sailing the seas,
travelling in foreign lands to ease my
heart? Could anything make me so
glad as to spend my life in service for
you %
st know, but the same cause exists
today that existed year ago, Rich
ard"
"You still stick to that?" There was
a note of anger in his voice.
yes
He stood up. "Then I might as well
go, as 1 went before
Her hand went out to stay him.
then she said, drearily, YES, you
might as well co.
So he went heavily, as one who car
ries a burden, but when he reached the
sands he called back to her. Tell me
where you live" She shook her head,
emphatically. NO
After he had gone she packed up her
book and her shawl and went home.
| The brightness had gone out of her
day and she wanted to be where she
| could weep alone. 1t was dark when
she reached her room, and there was
nothing to eat, for her midday meal
was all she could afford.
| 1t was very early in the next morn
| ing when the slatternly charwoman,
who looked after the halls. knocked at
Babies door.
| "a basket left for you, miss" she
said, and thrust it in.
mot for me- Babbie protested to
the echoes: then she slipped out of
bed and knelt to open the tiny hamper.
| It's surely a mistake" she murmur-
ed.
But it was not mistake, for under
the oiled paper was a bunch of white
yiolets with a card, For Habbie'
breakfast table," scrawled on it. Then
there was a grape fruit, six very small
white rolls, a little jar of marmalade
ana announcer OF pOllSQ G1AiChCL, q pat
| of sweet butter and bottle of milk.
There was no name, but Babbie
knew the writing. She glanced has
/ tiIy from the window, but no one stood
on the doorstep. And though. when
she was dressed. she made many ex-
cursions down the stairs, she did not
come upon him.
| Every day there came a small ham
per; sometimes it was sent from the
delicatessen shop around the corner,
and held a hot meal. and again it was
from the fish market, with oysters cold
| in their shells. or a lobster with all
the Accomplishments of pickles and
crackers and mayonnaise. or from the
fruit shop, with nuts and apples and
oranges, and grapes and figs.
| While her pride rebelled at these
gifts, she could never find the donor to
ask him to stop. Her timidity and re-
serve made her shrink from going to
the shopkeepers, and in the meantime
oh craV rosy and strong With the