The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-11-22

thought she was doing II for effect
"Of course III take II home" she was
saying 20 Frank. 1--WE keep a kitty orphan
asylum, Mother and /"
"Some olaSsF' said Johnny the waiter
as the door closed behind her Then he
wondered what had gone wrong with her
appetite.
II VAS only few days later that dosing
time az Hathaway a Eaton's found Miss
MaekAn stin at her desk with some little
matters postponed from buster days A
recess BY a window, olTtAined from her own
section, served her a. an ofhoe.
Presently silence and solitude settled
about her. The hubbub Of daytime died
away into peace. Like the heavy quiet of
an empty theatre. there was something
almost uncanny in the dim aisles between
the cleared counters, the covered tables,
and svathed dummies.
The shaded light hanging low over Miss
Mackan's desk frightened her hair into
gold, and threw her fgure IN is black dress
Of newest cut into relief. The twilight
without the lamps circle was hardly re-
heved by a single light far down the aisle.
The noise Of the street below came 10 her
mufled. For some time she worked with
q concentration characteristics Of her. then
her eyesgrew dreamy, and her pencil tapped
idly on the pad before her. Perhaps she
was thinking Of Tyler, who had been look
ing rather detected since the dashing Of his
hopes the other night.
A board creAked softly outside the green
curtains little sound like light STRIP
perhaps a mouse venturing forth on a Jour
ncy Of exploration.
Miss Mackan had not troubled 20 draw
those curtains togcther-thcy hung now
half apart: she bad heard the sound with
out paying attention 20 Il, now she lifted
her eyes 10 see a man standing there IN the
aperture.
The shade Of her desk-lamp cast the
upper half Of him into shadow. She did not
move nor scream; her gAEe sought bis face
his famishcd eyes that were yet revcrent
as the starved might pause for grace before
the feast.
GLORY" he hAlf-whispered question.
inEly.
We can't all meet our great moments
with blank verse on our bps.
"W'hy, hello, said Miss Mackan, slowly.
He advanced few steps 20 the desk. hat
IN hand, big fellow in a brand-new suit Of
clothes; gray eyes set steadily In face Of
ruddy tan.
"How arc you, GIory1" he asked awk-
vardlv.
"Wel. said she. not rising
They did not touch hands.
you're looking tine" he affirmed
"Sit down" She indicated the other
chair.
lie did 20. drawing Il up 20 that the light
nov included his head, TOO, in the aura 4
cast around hers.
eagerly. thrusting ms head toward her as II
% force upon her notice the cleaness Of his
eyes. the freshness Of his skin, tho frmncss
81 his mouth. the health and vitality that
crhaled from him like breeze blowing Oh
the mountains.
She knew il was not altogether these
externals that he wished her 10 sec.
"Tm 50 glad +" she said simply.
Were friends them"
YES" she nodded gravely.
A silence fell upon thcm-Why. what
words arc going 20 express the year,, the
regrets, the tean, the hearaches, the
trembling hopes, the high resolves, empti-
ness. and the dreAm-moment come true
q hear you've done fine. he began after
. moment. Got a good position, haven't
you"
Pretty good, sinoe I q, with this firm
Mother with your
Yea
"stl taking in all the los, kittens, !
sxpect3"
-, smiled. About al that ask,
guess"
RE TUNED his hat thouFhtfully in has
hands
Il had a hard time finding where you
were"
"You-lookod for me?'
You must have known Il" he Said.
Her hand. lying relaxed on the desk.
suddenly olcnchcd; she did not reply.
4 want 10 tel YOU about IL, he aid.
Il want 20 tell YOU all ~ Il, $50 You'll
understand and-dont you want me 20
tell YOU"
"Nex"
Thanks. and he drew q long breath.
lie spoke sloNly and quietly and with the
earnest simplicity of a man unaware how
his awkward phrases we're laying bare the
travail of his soul.
when you left me, he said, "the bot
tom dropped out Of my world. ! never
thought you'd do H. / guess there's q sort
"a oonceit In men that makes them think
no matter what they do that the woman Is
,oing 20 stand for Il. AZ first. was scared,
then / thought YOU lust did ID 90 ecare me.