South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-08

Vkaf|G1t-ft4&fE(O 70 tNOhc any So
OF merriment. n
deed. the prospect was extremely de-
pressing. From wall 20 wall the space
was the nsrrowest. The heor was bare
and large stains showed In the low cell
Ing. The one small-paned window gave
a glimpse over dark dismal roofs. and
through a tangle OF telegraph wires o.
a small patch OF gray sky. Still Rothes
smiled. Then. going to the door to see
that II was securely fastened. he .ook
a gold-banded cigarette from gold case
which he drew from a pocket Of mis-
shabby coat and. yeating himself in ne
one stiff chair that the room contained.
he began to smoke.
And yet very little had occurred.
At the foot OF the stairs be met her.
The event had not been dramatic. Still,
he looked upon it as an adventure. She
had Just entered the building and hurry
ing around a corner. the basket which
she carried had been knocked from her
hands. The contents were scattered on
the floor before her The objects tSat
met his gaze were simple and common
place enough. The brown paper parcel
had contained meat. a loaf Of bread, and
some potatoes which he'd rolled into the
farthest corner. Clearly she was bring
ing home dinner - breakfast - perhaps
both. and had met with this accident.
Rothes thought OF the heroine Of the
Broken jug as he saw her suddenly
standing still amid the disaster Only
she was not at all mournful On the
contrary. she appeared extremely angry.
"ohl" she exclaimed Indignantly.
May I help your" asked Rothes. hur-
rying forward.
She did not answer at once, and he
picked up the loaf OF bread ,and pursued
a particularly nimble potato behind a
distant door
Thank you" she said as he stood be-
fore her with his hands filed with the
useful tubers.
He had noticed how charming she wos.
and he gave a sigh Of relief as he real
lied that her v6ice was soft and low.
"Let me carry the basket upstairs, he
said
Perhaps you think I am not to be
trusted with it. I am so careless" she
replied. examining him.
Its heavy-much too heavy for you"
he said decidedly. "You should not give
yourself such a load"
But II l have to-" she answered. not
sadly. but even laughing a little.
The piteousness OF poverty. thought
Rothes Here was this pretty young
creature compelled TO bear such burdens
while her more fortunate sisters had all
care taken from them. He felt newly
indignant at the social anomaly. And she
laughed pleasantly about It, Here was
-self-dependence. Here was
simple contentment. Here was refresh
ing naturalness. Here was the charm OF
nature itself Rothes felt newly glad
that he had made this departure and en-
tered into the life where such things and
such beings were to be found.
You don't II I am to carry it," he re-
piled. taking the burden from her slight
ly resisting hands.
"Oh. we'll" she said. as If excusing
ho-self to herself. 1--WE are neighbors."
Are we?" he exclaimed delightedly.
"Then I like-the neighborhoOd
she smiled on him gravely and for
some reason he felt rebuked for mis-
speech. What a manner. he reflected.
this daughter OF the tenements had, 20
be sure. No great lady in her drawing
room could have imposed her will more
easily and more surely
You have just come here?" she said.
in a way that made the remark ques-
tIon
Yes" he replied lightly. Tim out
OF Job. just now. and waiting for work"
What Is your trader" she asked. with
. kindly interest
Rothes almost laughed
Il" he began. "Oh. I'm a gas
litter" he answered" as the single gas
Set In the hall caught his eye.
And you lost your placer"
There was a strike" he went on more
glibly. II went out and wasn't taken
back. And your"
BE felt hat It must be in accordance
with the situation to ask the question
quite as In a country house he might
have asked a strange young woman what
form OF sport she affected.
81" she said easily. I'm in a book
bindery"
And you like the-occupation?" he
asked politely.
The hours are good" she said. with
the same little puzzling laugh; land the
work is light. but there's not much
chance for getting on"
Rothes was enchanted. II was not the
same old thing-the same talk about the
same subjects. There was not only sur
prising novelty IN the theme but IN the
surroundings.
''Thank you" she said, as she paused
before a door In one OF the upper halls.
'I live here" and she held out her hand
for the basket.
Reluctantly Rothes caves It into her
keeping
Il shall see you again." he said ten
tatively.
81 an very busy" Then she added.
laughing. as II amused by her own
thoughts: "My-eousin. with whom live.
wouldn't like 70 have me talking 70
young men