The Washington herald., 1914-03-19
DAILY SHORT STORY.
INFORMATION GIVEN.
By HARMONY WALLER
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1t had taken Elise many days TO
realize that she had been left COM
pletely alone in the world and with no
! means whereby she could exc out an
existence.
porsry blankness Elise was unable to
see a way OF earning her living. There
was. of course. a path for her TO tread,
but so far she had not discovered it.
Her father. a dreamer and bookwoTm,
had left her unprovided for save in the
matter of roof over her head and his
wonderful library. The latter extended
from the ceiling TO the floor OF the three
rooms on the ground floor of the old
homestead.
Il would not sell a single volume"
unused Elise sadly while she remembered
the tenderness with which her father had
handled each priced book. He had ever
to the end. been child-like in his en-
thusiasm over collecting his library.
Elise and books had filled his heart.
There had beer no thought of a tOmor-
row either for himself or his daughter.
The little village in which she lived
contained many writer's, artists and Bo-
hemians in general Many a time her
father had been called upon to give in
formation to these aspirants for fame
from his fund of knowledge Sometimes
his quest had lasted for days while he
was in search OF an elusive quotation or
a fragment Of forgotten data.
Elise had had many offers OF marriage.
but as yet her neart continued its steady
beat. She was romantic enough to await
the coming of the one VINO would storm
her citadel and carry her of to a den
OF dreams.
Through the memories of stragglers
who had entered into and passed out
of her like while seeking help from
her father. Elsie found the dawning
of an idea for financial income.
She would turn the library not ex
actly into public property. but she
would conduct 1t in the nature of all
Information club. She would charge
a slight fee for her services in look
ing up information, but never would
she permit one single book to leave its
nest in the old homestead. Fortunate
ly for her purpose. she had absorbed
much knowledge from her father. The
Index was of her own making.
Elise was decidedly relieved when
her idea was perfected. She also de-
cided to turn the two upper stories of
She herself could occupy the lower
floor.
The small, detailed notices she sent
broadcast through the village were re-
ceived with surprise and commenda-
ton. The enterprise was acclaimed
both magnanimous and astute. In
village of intellectual and progressive
people a library such as Elise offered
was a wonderful acquisition. Iona
felt want had been suddenly filled.
Also, the village had lacked suitable
accommodation for temperamental Bo-
hemians and Elise found that she could
have rented a dozen more artistic
studios where only eight were pos
sible.
The only rather sentimental and
feminine thing Elise indulged in was
:he name she gave her home. Day
Dream House" was to be seen on the
brass knocker and on the cards that
left the house.
Elsie began to feel. as time passed,
that she was a part of the village i'm
provemcnt association. Certainly she
had been instrumental in improving the
mentality of the population, at least
When the great costume ball was talked
of she knew that her library would be
taxed to its capacity. Costumes of every
period and description would be eagerly
sought and she would have her hands
full to supply variety BETTING a Bo-
hemian taste.
When the we'll known Geoffrey Gray
came into her domain Elsie glanced up
with a pleased smile. She had been
wondering just when the famous artist
and newest arrival in the village would
find his way into Day Dream House.
Il have been told" Gray began. that
could find everything that has hap
pened since the beginning Of the world
right here
Elsie laughed with slight color creep
ing into her cheeks.
,''Perhaps you can" she said with a
demure little droop to the eyes.
Gray's eyes widened and his eyebrows