The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-22
TIE EVENING STORY
Two on q Roof,
(By Ella Randall Pearce.)

ahead of her, and she was not dis
appointed Downstairs were the
sounds of merry making, social con-
versations, greetings, voices and steps
passing along the halls, and the jum-
| bled music of several different instru-
ments; but here all was quiet, cool
and shadowy.
The girl looked up in the distant
stars, stretched out her arms and
gratefully drew in long breaths of the
| refreshing evening air.
MY this is different world.
Imagine all those people cooped up IN
the stuffy, lighted rooms thinking
they are enjoying themselves. when
they could have this!'
Nevertheless, it was loneliness that
had driven Miss Roberta Myers to the
roof this evening; not only the OPP
pressiveness of her "stuffy" room,
but the dreariness of being shut up by
its four walls when all the world about
was having good time.
That's because [ don't belong to
this place." reflected Roberta, select
ing dark corner where she could
rest with her back against the brick
walls of a chimney. I'm out of my
sphere; and if it wasn't for dear Mrs.
Parrish I'd go somewhere else to live
Mrs. Parrish was the housekeeper
of the magnificent building known as
the Argyle Chambers, and she thought
she was doing the daughter of an old
friend a great favor when she secured
the little fifth floor room for her at a
reduced rent. But, between Roberta'S
tiny room at the top and the house
keepers neat suite on the ground floor
We're rows of more or less pretentious
apartments, each one occupied by
somebody. That was the way Roberta
expressed it. The Argyle Chambers
was full of delightful, brilliant person
ages, whose names were already, or
soon would be, enrolled on the tablet
of fame-artiSts, writer's, singers, mu-
sicians and others who had a right to
belong to the charmed circle.
What right did Roberta have in
such company? She was an obscure,
shabby, forlorn little Peri, looking
wistfully in on the paradise of gay,
genteel Bohemia. She did not know
that she had gifts that would have
opened those gates to her had she
been less shy-radiant youth, whole
some beauty and rare good humor.
The mild breeze of the summer
night and the hush that brooded over
her lofty retreat soothed Roberta's
mutinous spirit. She found herself
least, it was something to be young,
and to be able to build air castles.
Then. the creaking of a door
brought her head around. A mascu-
the inner light for an instant, and
darkness fell again. But Roberta
was no longer alone. Slow foot
steps came near to the corner where
she was SlIIlIlS-
You may not be able to see me at
first. but 1 am here" she announced.
at hope I shan't disturb you
The figure paused. The surprised
gaze of a hatless, pleasant faced
young man sought her, and a bland
voice with a genial ring in the tones
answered her.
"Why should you think I would be
disturbed? The roof is not restricted.
is it?''
have come up here to be alone. and
to commune with the night; to COM
pose something, you know"
rs that what you came for. may I
aSk?" His tone was respectful.
Roberta made up her mind not to
disclose the commonplace quality of
her life to this gifted tenant of the
Argyle Chambers.
yes" she sighed, meditatively. 'I
often get inspiration from the stars.
Don't you ?"
Hmm. Yes: though I'm inclined
to find my inspirational sources in a
crowd-human nature, you know. |
The living types interest me. My
mod els"
.sOh, you are an artist. them"
81 draw some" he said modestly |
"And you?"
IT write a little" confessed Roberta. |
Then, with a shy nod, she rose to her
full length and walked away.
ct hope I'm not driving you away. |
I'm going right down myself, ne SAID /
For a moment they stood in the |
path of light and looked at each other |
with unusual interest, Roberta found !
herself blushing beneath the frank, |
boyish stare of her com paniOn. He, |
in turn, seemed to find something APP !
pealing in the bright, girlish face be- |
fore him.
The portly form of Mrs. Farris ap-
peared on the stairway. "Ohi are you |
two acquainted?' she asked wonder
ingly.
I'VE Just met on the roof" the |
young man spoke with alacrity. But
if you will do me the honor, Mrs. Far
rish.''
She introduced them. Miss Myers,
this is Mr.. Calvin Chase she said i'm
pressively.
Roberta, with her bushes deepen
ing, retreated as soon as possible. She
heard the young artist and the house
keeper talking together as they de-
scended the stairs.
A few evenings later Roberta and |
her new acquaintance met again on
the roof This time their conversation
was prolonged. Another meeting, and I
then another; and then the young girl
began to worry. She had entertained
no idea of deception when she had SO
lightly assumed a talent which she did
not possess; but now, to pose before
this gifted stranger as a member of
zeal pen, being touched with the di-
vine fire-oh, what would he think of
her when he knew? Yet, as time went
on she made up her mind that she
must tell him.
His speech already was inclining to-
ward intimate subjects. His interest
in her seemed far from impersona1.
Moonlight and starlight and the sweet
dusky stiffness of their lofty rem
devious had woven a spell of en-
Ell H..