The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-10-30
CHAPTER TX.

Durham slept very little that night
His soul was lowering between Joy
and anxiety. Almost he was inclined
to find some way TO send her word
about the man he had seen lingering
about the place, and yet perhaps it
was foolish. He had doubtless been
TO call on the cook, and there might
be no connection whatever between
what Durham had heard and seen and
the lonely girl
Next day, with careful hands. the
girl made herself neat and trim with a
few materials she had at hand. She
gathered her little hoard of money to
take with her, and cast one look back
over the cheerless room. with a great
longing to bid it farewell forever, and
go back to the world where She be.
lonSed; yet she realized that it was
quiet refuge for her from the world
that she must hereafter face. Then
she closed her door, went down the
stairs and out into the street. like any
other servant on her afternoon out.
walking away to meet whatever crisis
might arise. She had not dared to
speculate much about the subject of
the coming interview. It was likely
he wanted TO inquire about her com
fort, and perhaps offer material aid
She would not accept it, of course, but
1t would be a comfort to know that
some one cared. She longed mex
pressibly for this interview, Just be-
cause he had been kind. and because
he belonged to that world from which
she had come He would keep her
secret He had true eyes. She did
not notice soft, padded feet that came
webbing down the street after her.
and she only drew a little further out
toward the curbing when a blear.eyed.
red face peered into hers as she stood
waiting for the car. She did not no
tlce the shabby man who boarded the
car after she was seated.
Tryon Durham stood in the great
stone doorway, watching keenly the
passing throng lie saw the girl at
once as she got out of the car but he
he did not notice the man in the bag
gy coat. who numbered after her and
watched with wondering scrutiny as
Durham came forward. lifted his hat
and took her hand respectfully. Here
was an element he did not understand
lie stood staring. puzzled as they dis.
appeared into the great building: then
he planted himself in convenien,
place TO watch until his charge should
come out again. This was perhaps a
gentleman who had come to engage
her 70 work for him She might be
thinking Of changing her place lie
must be on the alert.
Durham placed two chairs I'm the
far corner of the inner parlor. whore
they were practically alone. save for
an occasional passer through tho
hall. He put the girl into the most
comfortable one, and then went TO
draw down the shade. to shut a sharp
ray Of afternoon sunlight from her
eyes. She sat there and looked down
upon her shabby shoes. her cheap
gloves. her coarse garments, and hon
oTed him for the honor he was giving
her in this attire She had learned bv
sharp experience that such respect TO
one in her station was not common.
AS ne came back he stood n moment
looking down upon her She saw his
eye rest with recognition upon the
hat she wore, and her pale cheeks
turned pink
J don't know what you will think
o, my keeping this" she said shyly.
putting her hand to the bat. but it
seemed really necessary at the time.