The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-08-01
HerAdventur0uS
Night
II Had an Important
Result
By AGNES G. BROGAN

curb of the busy street awaiting q
home bound car Home. She smiled
derisively in the mi-darkness at the
meaning of the word. Surely the big
bare room, half studio, half housekeep
ing apartment, was a poor Substitute
for home And it was all she now pos
sessed
She thought as she stood there aside
yet in the very midst of things-alone
yet crushing her way through the
throng to the car, how typical it all
was Of her present life. Even in the
brightly lighted apartment, as she
passed down the corridor that led to
her room. not one of those whom she
met each day might speak welcome
because she had not been properly in
troduced.
Polly was not sure she would care to
know them if she had. They were all
such silly, chattering women, over
dressed and Indifferent; such rude,
staring men-all but one. Polly thought
of "him' gratefully. Something per-
haps in the grave kindliness Of his ex-
preston, his deferential yet unobtrus-
i've courtesy, brought back the old days
In BroOkfield.
Each morning he raised his hat as
simultaneously they appeared in the
corridor locking their doors for the
days absence. Always Polly smiled
and nodded, but the man vouchsafed
no word. She was glad, and she was
sorry-glad that he was SO very much
the man she wanted him to be, sorry
that one so alone as she might not have
the comfort of an understanding friend.
In despair Polly had added to the
cheerless furnishings Of her studio the
companionship of cat. He had fol
lowed her. this big yellow cat, from
some darkened area the night she had
bought the fish. After his coveted
meal had become a thing of the past
Patsy. as she called him, still deigned
to remain her friend.
He had, she discovered, certain en-
barrassing and stubborn tendencies.
one of which was to pry into the af-
fairs OF his neighbors, so that twice
the nice young man across the way
had been obliged to lift Patsy gently
and place him outside his door.
Both times Miss Chester apologized:
both times the young man bowed ST.
lently and pleasantly and withdrew.
Polly found herself making little
sketches of the grave faced man and
the yellow cat during times of inter
mission at the art school,
"You poor thing" she Knocked herself
one day as she hastily destroyed her
drawings, filling up your head with
man and a yellow cat just because
they've been little human"
1t seemed impossible to make pre-
sentable sketch at home, the boys in
the fraternity room overhead were so
very noisy, while player piano banged
away below. She wondered as she sat
through endless evenings Just what #
would be like to mingle with the CAV
throng outside, to be with one who
could sympathize and understand.
He was lonely too She was sure
OF that. Among them all he seemed TO
live apart. At those times when she
mad rescued Patsy from before his
door she had caught glimpse within
OF an open book. half smoked cigar
so he, too, sat each night alone. His
eyes, she fancied, We're strangely wist.
Iul. Or was it fancy? Polly sighed
impatiently.
Always she rebuked herself, "your
thoughts go back to that man"
1t was all very ridiculous. so she fell
TO drawing in earnest. No better sub.
1ect at hand she drew painstakinplv
the yellow cat lying stretched before
the fire.
This accomplished, Polly studied ra-
nectlvely an opposite vacant chair
then with sudden dimpling smile she
uent again over the drawing board.
she was SO absorbed she failed TO no
ice the cessation of the PLAYER piano
and a gradual growing silence settling
over the building.
naislhS at last a flushed face. she re-
garded with much satisfaction her
work. The figure pictured in the chair
opposite her own was remarkably true
10 iife The mans" open book Law
upon the table beside him. his half
smoked cigar in his hand. Patsy COM
Iortably stretched at his feet
Twelve, chimed the little clock in
sharp, even strokes. Mercy !" exclaim-
ed the girl, and jumped to her feet.
ahere was something the matter with
tne lock as she attempted to fasten her
door Tor the night, so she thrust it wide
open, intending thus to close it secure
~ A mysterious rustling sound. as of
some person or persons stealthily NOV
ing farther back among the shadows.
caused Poliy's heart to fiutter uncom.
fortably.
Not long ago there had been a rob
berry In this very apartment. She wish
ed that she were not alone No light
showed from beneath the opposite door.
no evidence Of his" presence. In trent
dation she reached for the door handle
to close herself in when, apparently
from nowhere. a mans figure confront
-