El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-02-27


I believe he's trying to sell some
thing or other on commission. He
wasn't very communicative, and you
can't jump a fellow when he's down
and out, but I know he hasn't any
regular job. They've sublet their
apartment furnished and gone to
board. He said they weren't giving
their address, but he thought Mrs.
Randall would like to see you. You
ought to gO-don't you think So?
Oh, Of course, if you think she
really wants me-"
H.He wouldn't have said so if she
didn't I started to tell him ne could
count on me for anything 1 could do
iect JOve it must go hard with a
man of his pride to be up against it
like that"
But, dear, don't you think he'll get
something soon?? Surely man OF MS
Ability Not Counted.
Now you've been over all that be
fore" interrupted Warren. irritably
but this time his irritation was not at
Helen, but at the general injustice OF
the business world to men OF Randall's
type I told you mans ability
didn't count when he seeks a job with
gray hair and no capital Osier has
it about right-a man over fortys out
Of the running"
you didn't give me their address,
reminded Helen.
He took some papers from his pocket
and tore off a pencil address.
g. West Twenty-secOnd street"
read Helen from the slip i wonder
what kind Of a place It Is
Some cheap boarding house You'd
better call tomOrrOw-maybe you can
cheer her up. Ask EN- here to dinner
if they'll come. intended to ask Ran
dali, but he was off before 1 got the
chance"
The next afternoon Helen paused
u,-4sns f1lo m
West Twenty second street. It was
only one of the many in that block
They had once been Well-tO-do. homes,
each with its individuality, but now
there was the stamp Of the boarding
and rented room house about them
all
She went up the stone stOop to the
shabby doorway and rang the DELL
There was no response and she was
about - ring again, when man ran
M che steps, feeling in his pocket for
q key. As he stopped over to unlock
the door. Helen noticed his oYercoat
with its worn fur collar, and his gen
eral seedy air Of the lower class actor.
He held the door open as though tx
pecting her to enter. 1t was an awk-
ward situation, for he was plainly one
Of the rOomerS.
DO you know If the Randalls have
rooms here2" faltered Helen
Don't know anybody Wait, III call
Susan" Leaving the door open. he
went TO the top OF the basement stairs
and shouted, susan! Hey Susan, some
body's up here"
the hall rack, selected one and hur-
ried upstairs. A moment later a slat-
ternly maid came up from the base
ment.
staring at Helen. who was still stand
ing the open door.
Mrs. Randall"
Third floor black" briefly. as she
slammed the front door and shuffled
down the back stairs
with the door closed, the hall was
dark and the OdOr OF stale COOKING
more pronounced Slowly Helen
climbed the three flights. There were
rubber treads over the worn stairway
carpet. and here and there the white
plaster cleaned through the Scared
wall paper
1t was Mrs. Randall who answered
the knock, flushing painfully as she
recognized Helen But after the en-
barrassment Of the first few mo-
ments, Helen felt she was glad to see
her
Helen was seated she took mp her
The Work She Did.
I'm making these" she said simply,
holding up a dainty boudoir cap, Tor
the Woman's Exchange. OF course they
won't buy them, but they let me put
them there on sale"
Then. as though glad of the chance
to talk to some one Of the hardshlps
of the last two months, she told OF I
giving up their apartment. There was
no way OF keeping it unless they went
into debt
aAnd at least with a sort Of fierce |
pride, we don't owe a penny We may |
have been foolish and extravagant in |
living up to our income, but we never |
lived beyond it. And so we choose /
this" with a glance about the dingy, |
cheaply furnished room, rather than /
60 into debt now"
'Pm sure you were right, muir
INJURED Helen. This is much the better !
way"
and we were fortunate in sublet- |
ting the apartment furnished for Sl4O /
a month-s40 more than our rent Here |
We nav only IS a week for this and /
tiny hall room for Frank; We're trying I
To keen him in school Eleanor and |
Betty are with their grandmother.
Then you go out for your meals?'
I get our breakfast here" nodding !
toward a percOlatOr and a tin box on 1
the table. And we go to some little /
restaurant for dinner; we found one 4
that's both clean and cheap
"Oh, I think you've been very brave. 4
This is so much better than trying 10 /
keep up appearances by going IN debt ,
And when AR. Randall does get on his 4
feet again you won I nave any INNS i
hanging over you"
yes, if he ever does" with break /
In her voice. ooh, feel now that /
can stand anything if only he doesn't /
get respondent. But the papers are
fun of the tragedies of middle-aged /
men who can't find employment Did i
you read Just yesterday about that ]
man. an expert bookkeeper 1 think he 4
was. who had lost his position and i
couldn't get another because OF MS 4
gray hair2 He left a note saying ne 4
wouldn't live to be burden on his 4
relatives. I hid the paper so Henry 4
wouldn't see it"
HeIen's Admiration.
ooh. YOU mustn't let yourself think /
Of such things" protested Helen I m 1
sure there're a great many firms VINO 4
would be glad to have man Of MT;
experience and character
Then she added, a little awkwardly'
and YOU mustn't shut yourself up 1
lere too close We should so like TO /
nave YOU and Mr.. Randall for dinner
Could you come some evening next
s.Thats very kind of you" flushing
slightly. "but I don't think either
Henry or I could go anywhere Just
vet. Later, perhaps, when things are
1 little more certain, we'd love TO
When Helen rose to leave she
glanced hesitatingly at the oouoolE