Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-29
yp@s
The Flag of Courage.

THHEY had been on smiling terms
ever since she tumbled down the
steps of the Candlestick tearoom
one rainy night into his prompt arms
He had extended them out of pure
chivalry, for 1t was a nasty fall. but
he had more than chivalry's reward.
The cheek that rested against his for
one dramatic moment was warm and
curving. The hands that clutched his
shoulders had the strength of youth
as we'll as the fervency of desperation
After that she smiled and blushed
whenever their glances met.
BY the blush he gathered that she
was no true Bohemian. She neither
smoked cigarettes nor talked of social
reforms for the benefit of nearby tables.
One night she looked tired and he saw
for the first time that fatigue or mem
tai strain was wearing away her fresh
ness. He glanced at the big ring
sparkling on her left hand and won
dered why under heaven she didn't
marry at once and be properly taken
care Of
The next time he saw her she was
alone in one corner Of the tearoom. A
big hat shaded her face, but after
time he saw that she had been crying.
Later she reached out and extinguished
the candle that was the only light near
her tiny secluded table. 1t irritated
him to have to feel that she was prob
ably pulling the shadows over her to
hide more tears.
Scott hated everything about the
nefRhborhood-the studios, Italian res
taurants, tearooms. Bohemians. room
ing houses. hotels. To his pitiless eye
1t all had nothing of the glamour of
romance which makes it Bohemia to SO
many adolescents and old maids He
hated the bobbed-haired girls with red
Tam o'Shanters who. generation ago.
would have put the same effort into
foreign missionary work that they now
threw into peace propaganda. housing
reform single tax, socialism, anarch-
ism, He wondered II the girl took any
part In such activities. or If. like him
self, she merely lived in New York's
Latin Quarter because it was accessible.
And then he suddenly discovered that
the young woman lived under his own
roof.
He came up the stairs in the deep
gloom of a rainy spring afternoon and
found her sitting on the top step. this
time too exhausted to cry. Her Shout
ders were wet and little rivulet ran
from the brim OF her totally wrecked
hat to the moist brown paper bundles
she clasped in her arms. One of the
bundles had fallen, burst and wound
itself maddentngly about his muddy
feet When he had lighted the gas,
picked up the girl and finally tried to
rescue the spilled stun he saw that he
had been standing on a very intimate
pink silk and lace garment all drip
ping with dainty ribbons in most
seductive loops and streamers.
However can tyou forgive me-" he
walled, holding It off on the point of
his umbrella as II the ribbons might
Irvine about him should he let them
come nearer.
Never mind. That was one that
would have to be trimmed with glass
beads-like dew drops. you know"
Rulped the strange girl. Now 1t is
ruined. l won't feel in duty bound to
do all that backachy decoration"
And then. with q humorously twist
ed smile. she tainted dead away.
Two days later the doctor and land
lord said he might call on her. She was
propped up in one corner Of the shabby
studio couch. looking like a very little
girl with two heavy braids falling
over her shoulders.
Scott looked about the barren room.
so pitiful in the spring sunlight. He
knew that 1t must be as bleak as a
Siberian steppe in winter.
"Why-don't you marry the man who