The Lamar register., 1913-03-19
A Bunch
of Vi0lefs
ny cLARlssA MAckle

II was one Of those uptown cross
streets whose dividing line IL Broad
way. No. 81. west. was one Of many
handsome stone dwellings. while No
81. east, was merely shabby board
ing house given over to the aocommo
dalton Of working girls.
Esther Mason YEARLY climbed the
stairs OF No. 81 east, and paused al
Mrs. Beggs' shrill voice called hen
name from the hall below.
Here's something for you-a boy
left It a few minutes ago-fiowers.
guess! Suppose your beau sent EN-, y
said the boarding house mistress az
Esther descended the stairs.
The girls face flushed as she took
the square box and examined the ad-
dress on the violet and gold cover.
Miss Esther Mason. No. 81 East -
sixth street" Surely It must be for
her. and yet-who would send her a
box Of flowers on her birthday? Save
for the few persons in the ONCE where
she was employed she had scarcely an
acquaintance in New York-and as for
the home people? Esther swallowed
a little sob and with a murmured word
of thanks to Mrs. Beggs she ran light
ly up the stairs to her little room and
tossed the box on her narrow bed.
When she had removed her outdoor
things she bathed her face and brush
ed her dusky hair into satin smooth.
ness before she sat down.
All the home folks had passed away
to another and more beautiful country
two long years before Esther had ia
ken her small patrimony and gone
bravely to the great city to make her
way among thousands OF wage-earners
The investment Of her money had
brought her a business education, and
she had slowly worked her way up.
ward until now she could look forward
to the time when an increased salary
might permit Of a more congenial
homo. In the meantime the little
bank account must grow larger.
This was her birthday and she alone
know It. It was a strange coincidence
that some one-some new-found friend
might send her some flowers on that
day.
she lifted the cover and sa1ed with
delight upon an immense bunch OF
violets. Their fragrance filed the
tiny room and Esther felt a certain
sense Of luxury in their possession.
Still mystined and yet with feeling
Of relief that she might not be obliged
to return the gift to some unreoog
niEed donor. she arose with the quick
decision that was characteristic Of her
and changed her gown for the pretty
pale gray that was her best.
When the large gray hat with It's
single long gray feather was perched
on her pretty head and the fragrant
vfolets were pinned at her waist,
Esther ran down the stairs and knock.
ed at the door Of Mrs. Beggs' sitting.
room.
II am going out to dinner. Mrs.
Beggs." she called softly. and then, be-
fore the older woman could frame a
question. the girl had closed the front
door behind her slender form and was
speeding down the street toward the
avenue.
It was after Q o'clock and the streets
and shops were brilliantly lighted. Es-
Their hummed little song as she turn.
ed into Fifth avenue and made her
way toward q large and fashionable
hotel
She knew all about this hotel-rich
and fashionable people dined there
every night. This was her birthday
and she was alone. She would treat
herself to the luxury of a perfectly
cooked dinner and while she listened
TO the music she might see all these
great people whose gay doings filed
much space in the newspapers.
Ten minutes later she was seated in
a quiet corner Of the immense restau-
rant with hundreds OF tables glitter
ing with silver and cut glass.
AS she ate the delicious meal. the
payment for which would drain her
purse to the bottom, her beautiful eyes
took in the varied charm of the scene
The handsome gowns of the women;
the quiet we'll bred air of the men; the
lovely girls. most of them her own age
to whom this dinner was a common
occurrence.
At the next table to Esther's sat an
elderly woman. gowned in soft black
lace with a jeweled butterfly CULVER
ing above her snow white hair With
her was a tall young man with serious
gray eyes and handsome face bent
above the menu card. In the pauses
of the music their conversation foated