Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-23

| Helen read this last page of her
mothers letter several times. SO Laurs
Wilson was here In New York trying e
| make her own wayl Yes, Il must be hard
and particularly hard for Laura. who had
always been a sensitive, delicate girl
Helen resolved to go see her at once
And this was Saturday, the one after
noon she might be at home. for she
would probably have only a halliday at
the office. At any rate, she had some
errands downtown and II would not be
much out OF the way TO stop there.
II was just 4 when Helen rang the
bell at No - West Twenty-Second
street. II was a dlngy, old-fashioned
house. A muddy grass mat was inside
the vestibule and some soiled netting
covered the glass panel OF the door
A slovenly German girl answered the
bell and ushered Helen into the dark,
shabby parlor The whole place had an
air of dreary detection. Helen gazed
around while the maid climbed reluct-
antly up the stairs to sec IL Miss WI.
son was in" II was not often that Helen
had occasion to call at boarding house,
and she was curiously interested in II all.
There were some cheap Japanese vases
on the mantel, black marble clock mot
running), some shells and dusty piece
OF coral. The once "old rose upholstered
furniture was torn threabare. the worst
places on the arms and back OF the
chairs being covered with tides. Some
faded chenille "portieres" hung over the
folding doors that led into the back
parlor." now undoubtedly used as bed
room.
There was a sound of eager steps on
the stairs and Laura Wilson appeared at
the door. Her surprise and pleasure in
seeing Helen were most evident.
How long have you been here2" asked
Helen, when the first greetings were over.
almost three months now"
And you like it?'
like Il? oh, I'm so home-sick,' with
catch in her voice. II can hardly stay.
The day at the office isn't so bad-but
oh. the evenings and sundaysl ] almost
die OF inconsistencies then. sunday In a
boarding house is the most depressing
think in tho world
Helen smiled, "Yes, ! suppose II is. But
you must come and see us after this.
We're almost always home on Sundays.
You should have looked me up or let me
know you were here"
A little later Laura asked II Helen
would like TO see her room. ITS not
much Of room" with a laugh; "but /
don't think It's quite as funereal as this
parlor.'
They went up three flights Of stairs
TO the little room-the fourth floor back.
wait, III light the gas. Thatl make
things look less cheerless.'
The furniture was even shabbier than
that IN the parlor. but Laura had put out
few OF her own things. IL is some
times amazing what few photographs.
a haIf-dozen books. work basket and
the personal belongings OF a dainty wo-
man will do for even the most hopeless
room.
Not a very charming outlook, Il isy'
noddlng toward the landscape OF roofs
ana clothes lines outside the window
"At first those gray roofs and back yards
Raye me the horrors-but I'm getting
more used 20 them now"
But you're not in your room very
much?" ventured Helen.
NO, only on Sundays" with shud-
der. "and l think I'm becoming obsessed
with the horror of that day Don't let
me talk about Il. Are you cold in here?'
suddenly going over and opening the
register. Il keep It closed most OF the
time 10 keep out the SCOT and odor OF
cooking. oh. the dust and dirt here are
dreadful. have TO dust this room every
evening as soon as l come from the office
or 1 couldn't lay anything down. They