The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-02-16
leBrOWn
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PHILIP KRAN ~
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II
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Across The hall Of the shabby apart,
ment house John Carson heard ths
Little Brown Bird singing. It ~
not . glorious song iks that Of tha
nightingale; it vas Just . pleasant
twittsr, bringing something Of Cher
into the gray gloom Of tie Novsmbss
day.
If anybody needed cheer Il VA
John Carson. Out Of work, out a
money-hs vas faced not only BY
poverty, but By something voesa
than poverty-dishonor.
Hidden away in the top drawer a
John Carson's old dssk was . jsv-
elsd bag. And be msw The OWNS.
He had followed her after b had
picked up the bag that shs had
dropped. But he bad not rsturnsd
it-not ut he bad many things -
think Of first.
He had been hungry that morn
ing when the little lady had dropped
her bag, and be had matched Il up.
had thrust it in his pocket and had
watched her 60 up the steps Of IN
imposing apartment house and dis
appear.
When be reached home b opened
the bag. In it were five tsn-dollar
BILLS fortune to John Carson.
He wondered if it would be steal
ing to borrow the money, and pay
it back when he was on his feet
again. He could find out the ladys
name-what would be the harmp
The Little Brown Bird ceased bar
singing. The house seemed very
silent. The rain dripped outkida
and the wind hovled.
John Carson rose and went to his
desk; he opened the drawer stealth
| lily, then shut it quickly a. = tap
came on his door.
He crossed the room, turned tho
knob, and was faced by the Little
Brown Bird for the brown bird
was not feathered songster, but .
little slim hazel-eyed seaInstress who
had often spoken to John as he
passed her open door. or nodded to
him As they met in the hallway.
An aged aunt lived with her, and
they were very poor. John knew
that the Brown Bird sewed from ear
ly morning until late at night, and
even the old aunt pulled out bastings
and did bits Of fine embroidery.
The Brown Bird flushed 4 little
a she issued an invitation. MY
aunt" she stammered, my amt
would be glad II you would come
over and have . cup Of tea With us-
it is such drsary night"
Johns pride 6amad. Did thsy
think he would take charity, from
| them--two women2
ooh" he could almost see bar
heart Anttsr in her throat, 'pleass
don't say Mo- We have few friends
we are much alons-ws want you
He stopped bar With Q gesture
'Why Are you asking msP" b said.
bluntly. at Is not on your own 90
count. Do you think that ! nssd--
food p
Her cheeks bla,sd. ooh. NO" shs
protested. "but you need-frienda. =
He stared at hn. "How did you
know
81 Jaw you when You passed our
room when you came in tonight
and your face oh. th,.re's.somathing
the mattar--isnt thsrsY
For . moment be stood looking
down at her. ''YA,"he said, At Last,
'thers is something dreadfully the
matter. And-I shall he glad b
come over and have tea with you
He followed hero into the hal,
shutting the door behind him and
locking it. ahuting in the horror IN
the desk drawer tAat had tsmptsd
him.
The poor little roon.oppodte ~
made coy BY the glow Of few ooala
in the crate. There was q big plate
Of toast, and . round brown pot a
TEA. A sleek Kitten purred on tha
hearth. John Cazson looked around