The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-04-11

THE tenants never appear to see
one another when they meet" the
ianitress said when mademoiselle
took the little fiat that constituted her
menage, and she had rigidly adhered
to the custom. Perhaps the animals
in Noah's ark were governed by the
same rule, to insure their living in
peace and quietness while the
tempest ragged without" she some
times reflected grimly.
Since she had established herself
here, brides had gone forth from the
st. Cloud, and the newly married and
the wedding guests, returning had
awakened the echoes of the halls
with merriment and festivity; chris
tening parties had rolled away in car
riages to the church from the arched
doorway of the hotel, and the dead
had been carried out through it's mar
row halls. But, to the majority of
the tenants, all these happenings had
been as though they occurred in the
world at large. The great joys and
comedies and tragedies of life con-
tinued to be enacted beneath the roof
under which they dwelt, but brought
them no nearer together than If they
had been the sky above them.
Mademoiselle lived alone, and on
days when the sun shone, it's golden
rays found their way, during the after
noon, into every one of her four small
rooms-thanks to the fact that they
looked out upon a plot of ground as
yet unbuilt upon. Her apartment was
cosy, and at first she had prided her
self that the tinkling music which she
called forth each evening, from an old
square piano, must announce to her
immediate neighbors that she had
seen better days and more imposing
surroundings than suited her present
circumstances.
For, though the st. Cloud bore the
title of royal palace, and it stately
name had enticed mademoiselle, it
housed heterogeneous colony, and
to the little French woman the con-
ventional aloofness had become
doubly welcome, because, as time
went on, she felt more and more like
an aristocrat amid throng of bour
geoisie.
Yet, misericorde! She had soon
learned that no apartment in the
house lacked a piano, and at all hours
Of the day there was music to spare.
Across the corridor lived a widow
and her daughter. One of the apart
ments on the floor below was &C.
cupied by three young men, who there
kept bachelors hall"-"and heaven
help the housekeeping" said the
voluble concierge"
From the same source, indeed, made
moiselle might have learned much
gossip about her neighbors, but she
preferred to know nothing of them
and there were few persons in the
house whom she would have recog-
nized by sight had she met them
half a block away.
The young girl who had SO blithely
accosted her on the March morning
was now an exception, however. She
could not be ignored without down.
right rudeness. Mademoiselle, on
second thought, was annoyed. The
girl was evidently the support and
prop of her fathers declining years.
The old man was paralytic and
spent much time in aimlessly looking
out of the window; they lived on the
first floor. From him the daughter
had inherited her fine dark eyes; but
his expression was one of deep mel
ancholy, striking contrast to her
resolute cheerfulness.
For several days mademoiselle
avoided the young stranger, Then,
one forenoon, they met face to face in
the hallway.
The girl with proud shyness averted
her eyes. She would not claim a
recognition grudgingly bestowed.
But mademoiselle, to her own sur
prise, found herself saying, Bon jour.
1t is that we go out together today,
Mees"-
"Staunton," answered Rhoda, filling
the pause, with alacrity.
There was no retreat now. Made
moiselle had made an acquaintance.
81 so wanted to know you" began
the girl, as they turned into the street
1--WE have no friends in New York.
am employed as stenographer, and
it is dreary for father, being alone sc
much"
Your mother is not living?"
The question was put with deprecat
ing politeness.
Grief at her death and the dis
honesty of business partner, re
sulting in a commercial failure
Frustrated my father and brought or
the paralysis that has rendered hin
helpless" was the reply. 1--WE came
to the city in order that l might fine
work. In a great metropolis one car
live quietly. Those who we're ones
friends in prosperity need not know
of ones altered circumstances. | have
obtained fairly good position. Blu
you, mademoiselle, can understand
how a lady feels when she has tt
knock around seeking employment"
Mademoiselle turned and looked
sharply through her eyeglasses at he
companion.
Yes, the demoiselle has lie bel air
she is charming" she said to herself
From this day the prim little French
woman no longer held aloof, She ant
Miss Staunton sometimes stopped t.
chat when they encountered eacl
other, though they did not exchange
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