The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-12-14
DAILY SHORTsSTORY

chinks." Nudge did not answer her
question. SO she went on to tel him thai
her little studio was only a hobby. She
really, didn't do much painting or draw.
ing-it was just q headquarters for her
when she came to the city-a, Quiet mot
where her brothers and sisters couldn't
disturb her.
She begged Mr.. Nudge so insistent,v
and Nudge found her entreaties 40 efrer-
tive that he told her, though he hadn't
intended to. where he had met her h.
fore why" gasped the girl, 1T thouebt
that was plumber. You certainly LOOK
ed Ike mechanic, and they are 30 an
moving the way they keep coming In 10
tinker the pipes and things"
You were certainly not very kind.
whoever I was" said Nudge.
Mr.. Nudge and Miss Thislow, by mu-
tual tacit consent. saw much OF each
other after that. and Miss ThisIow not
only turned on her radiator fun blast.
her studio whenever he chose and share
her tea and cheerful decorations.
Anyhow, Miss Thislow." Mr. Nudge
told her one day after he had explained
with characteristic honesty that he
found her fascinating. and at the same
time distraction and a comfort, ANY
how. am never going to ask YOU 10
marry me, even IL I thought there was
the slightest chance that you would ever
say yes, because I know that some time
when you had got very used to me, and
1 turned up with my tie on crooked and
my hair ruftied. you would treat me the
way you diawhen you thought / was
the plumber. You would End out that
was only tinker after all, and you
would hand me another frost and I
couldn't stand another. That first one
kept me freezing for weeks. No, you ars
in spite Of your present kindness a snob
and an aristocrat"
Miss Thislow protested. yet Mr..
snob than you are" she said ''I know
you would do the same Suppose your
scrub woman came in some night when
you were busy and insisted on getting in
your way. II isn't a question Of demo-
cratic principles at all, II is a matter
OF being bothered"
Nudge was insistent and the argument
went on for several days Then one
evening, when Miss Thislow had gone
home early-she was expecting TO meet
him for the theater later in the evening
Nudge sat alone absorbed In work.
There was a knock at his door and he
looked up to see the cleaning woman
stopping in with her pail OF water.
Without waiting for his permission she
began to sop around the floor.
Nudge said nothing. but drew his feet
under his chair and changed his position
several times to make room for her.
Sometimes he would look down at her
bent, shabby figure, anxious to see the
face of the woman who aroused his pity.
Il came in early tonight" she said.
cause wanted to get home-to take
are Of the baby. It's sick and my old
nan comes home-drunk, and might go
'or it"
Nudge said nothing. and the woman
vent on with her tale OF woe.
Just as she had turned TO leave. Nudge,
Who had been debating between the thea
er with Miss ThisIow and the per-
ormance Of an act of charity. caught
Ter by the arm and stopped her.
See here" he said, slipping S into
,er soapy hand. ''it is rough luck and
ou are putting up a good fight I know
he money doesn't go far. Where do you
We? Perhaps IL I come over and talk
D your old man I could straighten him
p. j have done that sort of thing once
r twice before I had an engagement
r I should have offered sooner. Hurry
long with the rest Of your work and
hen you are ready come back and
ill go home with you and see what
can do. You have pretty rough time
I il. don't your
The scrub woman turned her bent fgure
way from him for a minute and then
iced him for the first time, dropped the
tile shawl that she had worn over her
cad and stood up straight in her shabby
othes.
Nudge" she said, Imply. look at me.
was just doing il to prove that you
ere snob. 1 thought you would hand
e few dollars with a my-good-woman
If and tell me to go on, just as I or
ny one else would have done You are
dear and I am not worthy of you
he stopped quickly, and Nudge took
er two soapy hands in his
You don't mean-you couldn't ever
can that you would be willing to marry
e?'' Nudge gasped.
II think that must be what I mean.
Iough I never knew it till I played