The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-10-04
A CRY Bird
BY IzoLA FoRREsrER.

Gardiner used to think, those first
few months in New York, that board
ing house was the lonesomest hole
man ever stole into and hid himself
from the outer world There didn't
seer to be one congsnial soul until
Laura Edwards came.
She was about nineteen, he figured.
Her hair was chestnut and caught
the light in its mesh of golden brown.
Her eyes, too. were brown, and very
friendly-almo too friendly and com
radely in their appeal. he thought
and he wanted to protect her, vaguely.
He found out that she worked some
place up town. probably in an office.
Even Miss Meloney knew no more
than this. There was certain point
that even her curiosity could not get
by in Miss Edwards manner.
I'm thinking she's from the middle
West" Kinney, the little highlander
said, one night out on the front steps.
She's spoken to me of Dayton. Ohio.
very often. Tenderly like. too"
She's way of the South about
her at times" Hobart declared with
a sigh. Like a rose. like rose"
Gardiner rose uneasily. He hated
to have her discussed by them. She
was SO much apart, so wonderful. to
him. He loved her. and he meant
to tell her so. That, at least, was a
mans right. Back home in Rhode
Island there was good little farm
where his mother lived. That was his,
too, il he cared to run it. But he
knew, someway, Laura would never
care for the country. She was city
bird, born to preen on stone pedestals.
Still. he would tell her.
It was Saturday night The front
steps were deserted. There was a
settee placed on the little grass plot
under the lone catalpa tree, and they
sat out there talking in low voices,
talking commonplaces. yet with every
nerve tingling. everysglance conveying
messages their lips belied.. And all
at once Gardiner blurted out:
We'll never be the same after to-
night, will we?"
She smiled up at him wistfully.
"Why?"
Because we've found out. Aren't
you sure | love you? Oh, | didn't
mean to spring it like that, Laura"
He reached for her hands anxiously.
Don't go in yet. ! had to tell you.
I've been awfully lonesome here until
you came"
She nodded her head.
Il was lonely, too" she said softly.
But I'm used to It, I've lived around
in boarding houses for two years now,
and it's horrid where ! work. I'm
retoucher on Photographic plates, and
that means work in dark room by
red light all day. hate the dark.
Some time I'm going to live outdoors
right in the sunlight and daylight all
the time"
Where are your folks?" he asked.
Il thought you were just here for
little while"
Dead mostly, l guess. I've got
married sister out in Dayton, Ohio.
After my mother died ! went to work
here. can make pretty good pay at
1t, but / hate it, just hate it. It's
awful when you hate the work you
have to do
Gardiner sat nearer, his arm lying
back of her along the settee. And
some way words came at last to him
words to tell her what he would like
to do to make life easier for her. She
wasn't a visiting princess any longer
she was just sweet. everyday mate
and pal who might be wife some day
to him.
They could get little apartment
four rooms would be enough to start
with. He had a couple of hundred
saved already and could get more
from the home nest-egg. Perhaps
some time they'd go back to the farm.
1t was near the town and the trolley
ran close by. She might like it.
It'd love it," Laura said passion
ately. I'm Just starved for daylight,
Tom. That's your name, isn't it? l
heard one of the boys call you Tom"
Say it again." said Gardiner con-
tentedly. Il like to hear you
The front door opened cautiously
and Miss Meloney peered out, saw
who was there and hesitated.
Have you the time, Mr.. Gardiner"
she asked.
Little past ten,' answered Tom
genially. I'VE had to stay out little
later than usual, Miss Meloney. Hope
you don't mind. It's very important"
"Oh, that's all right" the little old
lady said hastily. It's lovely night
kinder cool. though. Hadn't you bet
ter have something around you, Miss
"She has, thanks called up Tom,
and there was silehce, grateful,
happy silence. Presently Laura whis-
pered:
Il love boarding houses; don't you,
Tom?"
Tom smiled up at the brownstone
front, at the little brass strip an
nouncing Rooms With or Without
Board" at the familiar cat beating
around the lilac bushes, and he felt
a wave of ff\,nkfflnaee foward a oil 4