The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1910-07-30
NUMBER SEVENTY ONE
By CIarfssa MaCkie
(Copyright $50, by Associated Idterary Pressl


the janitor placed the wrong number
on my rent receipt-71 instead of 20
and the room is really yours"
That's all right, Miss Lane" said
Jack, heartily. 81 really don't see
much difference between the rooms
myself did just then, because 1
supposed it was the only vacant
room in this buildingI had been
waiting for some time to get in here.
l didn't know where to go until
tramped around the halls a bit and
came upon this room-empty"
You knew. then, that 1 was in the
wrong room?"
Yes" he admitted, reluctantly, q
did. But l didn't care a bit. l like
| this first rate. 1 hope you like your
room as WE'LL
Il dots very comfortable and
nice If you do not care to ex-
| change-why. I'll remain there"
I'D rather be here,'' he declared.
You are very good" she muir
| INJURED, and then, with a little CRATE
full nod, she was gone.
That was the beginning of many
things. First, Jack fell in love with
| Miss ]. Lane-a fact of which she
was blissfully ignorant Second,
Jack received several commissions
! that might make his fortune, had not
a third thing happened Another rich
relative died, and because he had not
| troubled to make a will and leave his
wealth to charity, Jack Lane and sew
| eral other heirs came into possession
of more money than they had ever
| dreamed Of possessing
| 1t was Jacks opportunity to exc
cute his commissions, close the stu
! do and revel in several years study
abroad. On the contrary he did not
| stir a step. He merely stayed and
painted in the big room long after
the winter days had fed and the
warm spring sunshine lured him into
the open and away from the noise of
the city.
1t was spring and summer and in
deed the richness of the whole year
! combined, to meet J. Lane and walk
with her. Perhaps it was to drop
i her at the dairy lunch room half way
down the block or to carry bundle
up the stairs. He fancied she grew
paler as the spring advanced and he
angrily wondered if she got enough to
eat.
He learned that she painted minia-
lures and had come to the city on the
strength of several orders which were
now filed.
One day in June he bounded up the
stairs looking eagerly for the 1utter
of blue skirt or the CLINT of her
golden hair. 1t was a shock to him
| tn Hnd "a IF
Miss Lane was putting on her gloves
and peeping wistfully through the
door into the empty room.
You are going away?" he asked
sharply.
She nodded. and her voice was
tremulous. I'm going home to Red
Dale. I've made a failure of art.
There are so many painters-so much
better ones than land so / wrote
father to meet me at the station to-
night l have planned for years to
come to New York and this dear room
was what l had dreamed about" Her
lips trembled pitifully and Jack longed
to take her in his arms and comfort
her.
What will you do in Red Dale?" he
asked gruff1y.
Teach school a great deal and paint
little" she responded drearily.
Nonsense! You can paint-your
miniatures are remarkable! When
you get home may come to Red Dale
and see you, Miss Lane?" he burst
out.
''Why-yes-I shall be very glad ]
must go now Goodby, Mr.. Lane
She left her hand for delicious in
slant in his and then vanished down
the stairway, but her voice foated
back: BE sure and comet"
That was all-but it was enough
to set Jack dreaming. He dreamed
of marrying Jean aLne and taking
her abroad for years of travel and
study But always they would keep
these two rooms as their studio home
And it so happened that his dreams
| came fI-1Ip