The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-05-09
THE CONTEMPORARIES OF ROSIE.

THE CONTEMPORARIES OF ROSIE.
Four of the doors along the mar
row hallway of Mrs. Boxers Select
clearinghouse" stood open, as usu-
nj, and the girls who spent the great
er part of their evenings in the four
rooms were gathered tonight in Bel
Simmons. The fifth door was closed,
and from behind it came most un-
usual sounds. The new boarder was
arranging her small stock Of earthly
possessions and singing as she work
ed.
II guess she isn't as tired as l
am" yawned little SADIE Merrill,
stretching her thin arms over her
head. After you've stood all day at
a lace counter, waiting on pernickity
women, you don't feel much like
singing"
Il don't know why she shouldn't
be tired" Rachel Bloom shifted per-
versely. She's banged a typewriter
to suit Judge Coleman all day. My
cousins the other girl in the Office,
and she says he's awful hard to
please. It's bad enough where l
am, but Blanche says it's worse
there. Have you had a hard day,
Aggie?"
A tall. pale girl, stretched YEARLY
on the bed in a red kimono, raised
herself on her elbow.
do you suppose I'd be mussing
up Bells pillow this way If I hadn't?
I've tried on forty different cloaks
since morning, and paraded round
the salesroom to show 'em off till
don't know whether I'm myself or
travelling wax figure
well, I'm just plain cross" an
nounced Bel calmly Things haven't
been as bad as they might be at the
shop, but l wanted to go to a con-
cert tonight, and I've got to save the
money for shoes instead"
you've got your concert right
here" giggled SADIE. 81 don't care,
her voice isn't half bad What's her
name, Rachel?"
Rosie Mazza-Italian, shouldn't
wonder"
The fifth door opened suddenly,
and light steps came down the hall.
hesitating slightly at each room till
Bells was reached and the newcomer
stood in the doorway. 1t was a very
bright face that locked in, with smil-
ing lips and appealing, friendly, dark
eyes, under crown black hair.
please excuse me-" begged a
sweet, apologize voice, Il know it's
pretty soon to get acquainted, but
the time is so short when there's
only evenings, and I do want you to
come right away and housewarm my
new room Do you think you could,
please?"
Sure" replied Bel promptly;
wed have to when you ask so pref
ty. But I'm afraid we won't warm
it much; we're feeling rather chilly
tonight"
only warm thing is my kimono,"
Agnes gazed doubtfully from it to
Rosie's trim shirtwaist, land that
isn't what you'd call a party rig"
Rosie laughed brightly. "Never
mind, if you'll just come and be
friends, that's all l care"
1t was rather a reluctant process
sion that trailed up the hall, the red
kimono in the rear; but though no
one knew exactly what magic the lit
tie hostess used, certain it is that in
half an hour peals of laughter were
ringing through the house that made
Mrs. Boxer in her own siting-room
prick up her ears wonderingly.
81 declare, / haven't heard any
thing like that don't know when "
she murmured, and smiled a bit her
self over her mending. cit must be
the new girl"
Surely it must have been, for there
is nothing especially exciting about
few gay pillows and a bundle of
home photographs, nor even about a
box Of inexpensive candy
Aren't you really tired?" asked |
Rachel curiously. staring over a |
chocolate drop into Rosie's animated |
face, as she finished telling a funny |
story that required lips and hands |
and feet to illustrate.
Tired? l suppose So" laughed |
Rosie. But, dear me- l can't waste |
time thinking about it. It's enough |
to be tired without wasting the eve
ming on it. Besides, day after to-
morrow is Sunday-a whole day to
rest and go to church in"
The girls exchanged guilty CLAN
ees. Church-going was not much in
fashion at Mrs. Boxers.
Well, / don't know whether your
room is any warmer for the party"