The Detroit times., 1915-05-06


do not know how much trouble,
and worry, and perhaps actual
danger, that first landlady to whom
went saved me, by giving me a
note TO her friend who kept the
cheaper boarding place. But took
the noce from her gratefully enough.
And she even followed me down TO
her front door, and gave me a reas-
suring pat as left her. and told me
would be "all right" not to be
nervous II followed her advice.
was not accustomed to finding
my way about the city alone, and so
II was another full hour. well past
my lunch time, before found the
address she had given me. The
neighborhood was. as she had
warned me, unprepossessing. But
subsequently learned II was also
az she had said. quite respectable
and clean. The house itself. to
which she had directed me. had a
neatly printed sign In the parlor
window proclaiming the fact that in
side could be found furnished
rooms and board"
climbed the front stoop dragging
my suitcase because II seemed to
have been gaining steadily In
weight) and rang the bell. A neat
looking woman In a Bingham dress
and with a Bingham apron opened
the door for me. asked her II she
was Mrs. Bowen" when she said
she was handed her my note OF
Introduction. and stepped inside the
door. She read the note, glanced
at me. and then read II again be-
fore she spoke.
"You wanted board?" she asked.
nodded. too weary by this time
to talk very much.
Leave your dress suit case here
In the hall" she said. There Is no
need Juggling II all the way up the
stairs till you see II what have
suits you. have a hall bedroom
in the third flight up In the back. l
do my own cooking, so the meals
are good though they are plain. /
can take you In for seven dollars n
week"
: Couldn't you make II six dol
lars" I asked weakly.
Have you got job" she queried.
Not yet" I admitted.
She stopped and thought for a
few moments more.
Il tell you what I'll do" she told
me. IF you like the room and want
TO pay a week in advance. I'll give
II TO you for six and half, and
then In a month or two, after you
have got Job and are on your feet,
I'll have to ssise II to seven dol
lars again; my regular price,
could not do this for you, not be-
cause would not want to, but be-
cause | can't afford II, IL Mrs. Jen-
kins. the lady who sent you here.
had not written me-"
Thank you." said gratefully.
And then. Frightening. you will be
able to raise II TO seven dollars be-
fore a month is over. won't have
any trouble getting job; you1l
see am going TO be rich"
Dear heart" she murmured so
low scarcely caught 1t. That's
what they all think. these poor,
hopeful young thingsi"
She turned and led the way up
stairs. picked up the dress suit
case, so sure was | OF staying. and
followed her. When we reached the
top OF the house the woman, who
was to become my landlady, un.
locked and flung open the door at
the head OF the stairs. had my
first look at the room In which
was to spend so many hours OF
dread and fear. and so many hours
OF hope, Turing me on over the
marshy places like Will-o,the.
wisp.
The walls OF the tiny room were
unpapered. They had been paint
ed most horrible shade of green.
There was white iron washstand
with a bowl and pitcher. with a
great chip out OF the side OF the
basin. The bed. which was really n
cot, looked like miniature model
OF some famous mountain range:
but II was clean. There was a chair
and a cheap. vanished chest of
drawers. and at the back Of the
room was shelf with hooks fas-
tened TO II and clean little calico
curtain which would hide any cloth
Ing might hang up. II did seem
cherries. but told myself here
was the life for which ! had been