The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-01-07

He turned to look at her and noted
with start that she was white about
the lips and red about the eyes, which
somehow did not disguise the fact
that she was very. very pretty. Her
pallor made her simply pathetic, but
her deep gray eyes were kind-some-
thing motherly shone from them,
though she could not have been more
than eighteen. She said nothing
about her own troubles.
"How does your work go these
days." she asked as she bit into a
sandwich full Of what the news
paper folk called alleged ham,"
Rotten" he answered succinctly.
How about your" He had not ex-
pected simple business question to
bring tears to girls eyes, but that's
what happened to Jones. and made
him inwardly curse himself for
laundering donkey who ought to be
kicked. He had never had girl
friend and he turned eyes Of wistful
apology on this fair-haired, slender
little thing bravely trying to smile
past the tears while she took gulp
of coffee before she tried to answer.
Worse than rotten" she said,
whimsically. I'm fired" He had not
been angry about himself but he was
about her.
but you do fine work-they all say
so in the office. You don't deserve It,"
he said angrily.
She fastened to explain. IT'S only
4 that I'm the newest at the office, and
there is too much help for the dull
summer months. They want me again
in September. They just told me
and l don't know where to get an
other place-it's dull everywhere
now"
He nodded comprehendingly. His
own troubles dwindled.
Can you do anything but stenog-
raphy? Say, why can't you go home"
The boy somehow had a wistful idea
that all the world save himself had
home somewhere. But this was
even worse than his first question.
The white line about the girls lips
was worse than the threat of tears.
"I-have no home" she said short
ly But all l can do besides type
write is-cook and do housework. But
l don't see how / can go into some
body's kitchen. I'm not-so very
strong. you see. But suppose some
thing will happen-it always does"
She smiled and slid Off the stool. TIL
be late If don't hurry She was nod
ding him goodby when he followed
her, took the check from her reluctant
hand, and paid it with his own. Then
he walked back to the office with her.
1t was Saturday afternoon, offices
taking the halliday Off, every soul
who could get out of town going, and
the rest viciously cross because they
couldn't. Nobody cared whether the
circulation increased or not-save the
boss, the rival papers-and Jones.
To do him justice, he worked like a
Turk, but he accomplished little. At
five he returned to the office for his
check, and though the boss was not
there, he knew 1t was likely to be his
last $25 from that source. He would
be fred Monday. He set his teeth.
I Just as he came out. Fannie was
leaving. too, and certain gay bold
ness came over him. He was only
twenty one. and he had $25 in his
pocket, and his rent paid month. But
he had never in his life had good
time. He had no vices, no debts-but
he had never had a girl
He followed the girl and overlook
her. She did not shrink from him
as she would have from some Of the
men-his face was kind and good
and lonely. He surprised himself In
what he said.
won't you go to supper with me
and then out to the park? There's q
good bill on, and 1t will do us both
good. I'm nearly crazy with being
alone. VIII you?"
The girl hesitated moment and
J then consented.
: i've only So between myself-and
Il don't know what" she said. I'm
less get the Housekeeping position
But II have to do that. will al
least have a good time tonight and
: forget about II until 1t has to come
. Youth Is blessed. despairing trag
&c. happy thing These two ate In
J good little cafe. They took a summer
} car to the park: they laughed at rnt
traditional fun of the vaudeville pei
: Torrance. Finally, rather late, they
} walked back to her bleak, hot board
ing house. And when the girl sale
! good night. she had promised to give
him her Sunday afternoon and even
J ing.
That Sunday--well. the boy and CIR
freed themselves Of the ingrowinl
loneliness that had been feeding
upon them. Each told the other hi
past, his present.
When he left her that night the,
: were engaged. The next morning
; Jones went to the ONCE as usual, and
! since the boss was absent for thu
| moment. he went to work as usual
At noon he took the girl to lunch
; and they went to the courthouse am
/ had long talk. Then she went bacl
| | IN her boarding placo--and he wen