Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-07-06
Their
Friend

She was always sitting there when
Serene went by, leaning back in the
wicker hour-glass chair. Sometimes
book or magazine lay open in her
lap, but more often it had slipped I'M
needed to the floor. Soreness first i'm
preston of her was that she was the
loveliest woman she had ever seen;
her next that she was the weariest
looking.
Serene was very young. 1t was hot
In the central telephone office where
she worked and the hours were long
and the pay meager. Serene had
worked there since she left school, She
lived with old aunt who did dress
making and had always acted the part
of mother to her.
One Sunday afternoon when Serene
went by she had Dave with her. Dave
had been devoted to Serene all through
her school days and since. He was a
big, gentle fellow, all ambition and
vim and sound purpose, who meant
when he had learned his trade TO
make a little home for Serene. Sc
rene suspected this intention, though
he had not mentioned it to her yet.
Before another Sunday arrived a
new girl came into the Office She was
snowy, handsome girl, who always
had an answer or q pert little laugh
ready
Serene shrank from association
with her and the girl perceived it,
Consequently when Dave came that
Saturday afternoon to wait for Serene
new girl tried to discomfit Serene by
flirting with him. She asked him to
read the numbers while she plugged,
at her switchboard, and Dave, uncon-
scious of any wrongdoing, complied.
Serene was angry and went home
alone as fast as her feet would carry
her, very much disturbed little girl.
Next day when Dave called her up
she gave him over the phone spifs
tied reply and hung up the receiver.
When he came to call she would not
see him.
She was 80 miserable that on GER
tain afternoon when rain menaced she
walked to work without her umbrella.
There was none at the office she could
borrow, so she had to walk back
through the drizzle, which suddenly
became downpour, just as she
reached the veranda lady's house. She
had started to run in dismay at get
ting drenched, when a voice called
coolly, commandingly: Come here, I
want to see you.
The veranda lady had come to life
and had spoken. Serene ran with all
her might to the proffered shelter and
sank into chair.
They sat moment watching the
rain.
81 have seen you go by every day
since have been here" said the
veranda lady in her slow, sweet, tired
way. Pm glad this rain came so
that we could get acquainted You
work, don't your"
Serene told her how and where she
worked And she told great deal
more than her words conveyed, for
the lady was reading the meaning of
her wan little face and miserable
eyes.
I'm not happy" blurted out Serene
I'm" And then she told the veran-
da lady the whole story.
oh, my dear!" said the older wom-
an. And she put UP her white hand
and brushed back her hair. There
was gray in her hair, Serene saw. And
on her finger was great red stone
like bit Of fire. An engagement ring.
"Oh, my dear You were jealous
jealous! OF that dear boy. You see,
l can tell he is a dear boy. And you
are dear little girl. But you Will
wreck your life If you aren't careful.
It's very lucky for you that you can
still make up. And when you have
made UP stay So"
Splashing through the rain, laden
with raincoat and umbrella, came
tall young figure. 1t was Dave and he
was coming straight for her house,
Serene knew. looking for her. She
caught her breath
why, there he is now said the
veranda lady cheerfully. Coming to
bring you an umbrella The dear boy!
Call to him-Call to him, quick"
Serene called. And Dave heard His
face was very bright as he came to
the veranda, and though the lady In
the hour-glass chair was wonderful to
see, he had eyes only for Serene.
whom he helped very proudly into the
raincoat. A very contrite, humble
little Serene she was, too.
You must come and see me togeth-
er some evening" said the veranda
lady as they were going away II
want to know you both better I'll
make you something nice in the
chatting dish and sing for you some
songs | know you'll like"
"Oh, We'll come" cried Serene.
And thank you million times!'
Next day as Serene was passing she
ran up to the veranda railing to speak
to her new friend
We've made up" she said. radiant
ly. And I'm never going to be bit