The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-09-30
THE EVENING STORY
In the Gage.

| tenement looked out of the window as
wistfully as a bird through the pafs
of a cage. Castlewood often noticed
her as he came down the avenue for mis-
morning walk. and passed the row of
habby houses which disfigured that
aristocratic neighborhood.
Now and then he nodded, and she
returned his greeting shyly. He thought
of her one Saturday night when he was
buying candy and he had an extra box
put up.
He gave it to the rough-looking 5ani-
tori who Iounged around the place. 1t $
for the little girl in the basement. Hand
it to her. please"
The janitor stared at him. Tnere
amt any little girl" he said.
THE pale one. who is always look
ing OUT Castlewood explained.
THAT'S Miss Rosamond,'' said the
old man. shes little, but she's grown
Up and she takes in sewing.
Castlewood blushed well, you give
her the candy, anyway.
After that he saw no more of her,
and he found himself missing the shy
giances which had met his.
He asked the janitor about her, Has
she gone away?"
No" was the response, but when
gave her the candy she flushed al
up. and said HE shouldn't have done
it, and I said. Why, he thought you
were little girl. He didn't mean any
harm F"
Castlewood gave him a tip. I'm glad
you spoke a good word for me.
wouldn't hurt her for the world"
For several mornings after that he
walked around by a side street. avoid
ing the tenement but as the gray days
came on he began to wonder how the
little Rosamond was faring. Did she
beat her wings against the bars Of
her cage?
Castlewood in his boyhood had been
fond of fairy tales. He had read uf
princess shut up in towers by wick
el fairies. Somewhat whimsically he
thought of the little seamstress bound
by enchantment.
"Aunt Fan" he said one morning to
the somewhat ancient dame who pre-
sided over his bachelor establishment,
'-do you ever need some one to sew for
you?''
What kind of sewing?" she demand
ed
He stammered over his reply, but
made it satisfactory. IT think she does
fine and pretty work. he said, "such
as embroidery
He really thought of her as weaving
fairy fabrics or spinning cobwebs. but,
of course. elderly aunts could not be
expected to grasp that point of view.
There are some napkins which have
to he Marked said Aunt Fan. 'Why?''
There's a poor little seamstress in
nothing but a child. but I fancy she
needs a friend. Aunt Fan.
Aunt Fan looked at him quickly
Now you don't mean to saw that YOU
are getting soft-headed. Bob she
said sharply. latter all these vears?"
PERHAPS I'm soft-hearted" Castle
wood launched gently hut she needs a
woman friend and work to do. I wish
you would go and see her.
Aunt Fan reported that night "she
and she takes care of limits pitt
full
''Can't you help her?" CastIewood de-
manded: my checkbook is at your dis
posal."
''she's too proud said Aunt Fan.
f'but I can give her work It's such an
unheal thv place. though. She is as pale
as ghost She's like a bird shut up IN
a cage"
Castlewood stared at her. @Aunt
Fan" he said solemnly. II didn't
dream that you had so much magma
ticn.''
st was young once said the old lady.
land I worked hard. and you needn't
think you are the only one who has
fs lien in love with that dear child
'What?" gasped Castlewood. why,
Aunt FAM never thouRht-''
well. you NAV not have thought
it," said his shrewd relative trbut if
you think 7 don't know the signs
CaStlewood was positively radiant ct
wish it could be true Are you a fairy
godmother. Aunt Fan? Can you wave
your wand and melt this hard old heart
OF mine?''
''It isn't hard was Aunt Fans es-
innate but you've been afraid some
one would love you for your money.
and so you've closed it against woman
kind
All the joy went out of CastIewood's
cCuntenance. And if I ask Rosa mond
Aunt Fan how shall know whether
she cares for me? wouldn't it be the
money!
There's only one way out o. it," said
Aunt Fan. won get her TO love you.
and then-Ill disinherit you
But" gasped her amazed nephew.
you haven't any money
THAT doesn't make any difference. -
said the old lady "Rosamond doesn't
know that. And if she clines to you
in spite of my casting you off you can
tell her the truth-that you did it to
test her"
You're a genius" said the delighted
bachelor: land now, will you ask her
here, and have her sew in the sunny
west room and give me a chance?''
I'm going to induce her to let her
father go to the hospital. He needs ex-
pert treatment, and I will get him Il
private room. She'll take charity for
him. though she won't for herself
Three days later little Rosamond was
Installed in a room all sunshine and
flowers. Castlewood had filled every