Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-07-13

ing switched on the nurse announced
the return of his visitor.
| A few moments afterward she ap
peared in the doorway. Harmon rec.
ognized her in one sweeping glance as
she approached his cot-the girl at the
ball.
"Well?" he said, depressing his as.
constituent. She looked timidly down
at him.
you know me7" she asked in a
frightened tone. He nodded and smiled
| to put her at her ease. There was an
embarrassed pause.
II felt l ought to come and thank
you" she broke in. He made a care
less gesture.
"Qu1te unavoidable, Miss
"Rogers-Sadie Rogers" she prompt
ed, touch Of color appearing in her
thin, white cheeks.
Harmon lifted his head and bowed
an awkward acknowledgment.
"What happened to me?" he asked.
mo one seemed to know anything
about it," she explained, Except that
you We're hit with a bottle. They
couldn't find out who did it. I'm glad.
anyway, nobody was arrested. I'd
have gone, too, suppose"
Harmon nodded comprehension.
GLOW did you find me?" he went on.
'Your friend told me who you were
and where they had taken you," she
replied, smiling.
She had been standing with her
hands behind her as they chatted.
| Suddenly she made an impulsive little
movement and thrust forth a small
| cluster of roses. =
"Will you take these? They help me
say 'thanks,'" she said.
Harmon looked at her in surprise
and for the first time observed closely
her appearance. There was no health
| In her cheeks, and she looked worn
and weary.
The cheap fnery of the previous
evening had vanished, and in Its place
| had come coarse black skirt, an i'll
fitting blue jacket and broad, fiat
hat that seemed to accentuate her pale,
blue eyed wistfulness.
Its nice of you" he said at length.
A queer little smile flashed across
her face, and she placed the flowers in
his hand.
Sadie, faint voiced and diffident
called at the hospital each day there
AFTER Her visits We're brief and I'M
eventful. She remained for few NO.
| ments to exchange the usual common
places with Harmon. Always, despite
his protests, she brought cluster of
fresh roses.
In the beginning Harmon had decid
ed not to permit her to continue to see
him, but she sounded sympathetic
note In his nature, and he found him
SELF unable to send her away.
| Though she seemed poor, pitiable
bit Of drift, she revealed traces of un-
cultivated Intelligence and refinement.
and he became interested in her. In
the end he resolved to learn more
about her and, If possible, to help her.
You are going home tomorrow" she
asked on the evening of the last day.
Not really home" he replied, laugh
Ing. II hail from the country" Her
tired face frightened.
Indeed! I'm from up state myself"
you're all alone here?" he inquired.
She nodded slowly.
TEL me about coming here-eyery.
thing" he invited.
she plucked at jacket button and
seemed reluctant to answer, but after
moment said: "Well, father wasn't a
much account man, so when mother
dled l hired out We had folks up
from New York, and heard so much
about the city thought it was great
place. So came.
I'm not fool" she continued, with
a dispirited smile. up in the country
! went to school as long as could,
but when | got down here it didn't
help me any.
What could / do? ! didn't know
anything about offices. l wasn't type
writer, and there wasn't much time to
decide, so l went into one of the big
stores.
What l make just about goes round
Tor room and meals and something to
wear. Once in awhile there's NOV
ing picture show.
"Clancy's ball was free, so me and a
couple of girls went there. But I'll
know better next time
You know, I'd like to do better, to
learn something that'd help me. tried
night school, but / couldn't stand it
after working oil day. And l can't
learn from library books she conclud
ed, signing.
Harmon was intent upon every eS
preston Of her face.
Wouldn't it be better if you married
soon?" he asked.
She shrugged her shoulders YEARLY.
GIVE thought a lot about that" she
said slowly, "and don't think 1 can
marry the kind O men l meet"
Harmon looked at her III thoughtful
silence.
Suppose could help you in way
he said directly, would you let me?"
~ Tor ,r1o,