The herald., 1918-05-16
HIS NEIGHBOR
BY AGNES G. BROWN.

Dear Gwen:
l am keeping my promise by writ
ing, as soon as the new studio has
been installed. 1t looks as though 1
might do good work here, in my glass
roof room near the sky. The only
place available for renting seemed this
old-time mansion now given over to
cheap apartments: this, because we
are nearer the business center than
desirable residence section. To me,
however, obscurity lends value to the
situation, as l may be free from visit
ing interruptions. The picture pro-
crosses favOrably and am intent up
on q second. Please save yourself the
trouble of instructing friends to hunt
me out. I have already been obliged
to refuse various evening invitations
rendered in my SISTER Gwendolen's"
name.
I suppose you are, as usual, busy
with your pet charities. Do not worry
about my welfare, as shall keep you
duly informed.
UIOluCI,
JACK.
Dear Gwen:
The morning sun comes in at right
angles through my glass roof, the
painting grows apace, and meals
served from q nearby restaurant are
perfect. In my enjoyable isolation 1
might be on a desert isle-save for
the young woman across the hall. She
would think, be fit subject for your
passion for helpfulness-if you could
reach her. oh, these proud, self-sac-
rificing American women of ours
What will they not do for love and
dutyl Though 1 must confess this Is
my first actual experience with the
kind. Carrie" who "wipes up our
floors" says that when my neighbOr's
husband went to war she gave up her
comfortable fiat and came here to live
with her child. During the day she
has taken up an unaccustOmed posi-
ton in flower shop, it seems, but she
sings right cheerily at night as she
cooks the child's supper. 1t was this
same singing which attracted my at
tention to the two-that and the
childs evident glee when her mother
brings home a currant roll. Can you
imagine it, Gwen, unalloyed joy over
the fact of a currant roll? Joy In three
dingy rooms near the roof? Joy, after
q hard days work? 1t makes one
long to step out and buy a quantity Of
those delicacies we stated ones take
as our matter-of-course-an leave
them at their door. But the presump-
ton would be resented. The child
looks like a Christmas shOw-window
doll.
After school hours she often sits at
q turn Of the stair, knitting for ''fa-
ther." When 1 almost fell over her
one day she naively informed me that
at was not so lonesome there as In
side"
I thank you for comforts kindly
sent to myself. Your loving
JACK.
Dear Gwen:
lam having difficulty with my study
of spring; the face Of the central fig
ure lacks that significant sweet fresh
ness which it must have.
Following your advice, I stopped at
the flower shop one evening, purchas-
ing from my neighbor a rose tree,
which has been sent to you. Acting
again upon your suggestion, frankly
presented myself and made inquiry
concerning Peggy-May's father. Peg
gy-May happens to be the unusually
connected name Of the child. Charm
ingly free from self-consciousness were
the mothers replies.
"Mr. May was well and in good
spirits; she, herself, managed very
nicely, and Peggy-May was happy. I
was thanked-and dismissed. So to
help these brave people seems beyond
our power. Love to you. my sister.
JACK.
Dear Gwen:
The second idea was a bright one,
and speedily acted upon. With diplo-
macy and persuasion 1t was arranged
that Peggy-May should pose for my
child model Of Spring. The picture
will be success. We paint very early
Il sine morning. before the little mother