The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-11-28
ACROSS THE ROOF
Observation-Disclosures
BY JACK LAYTON.


slyightlight failed to compensate.
When these reflections threatened
to overcome her, Dora would arise
briskly to light the rose shaded lamp
which was her comfort.
SILLY" she would reprove herself,
"glooming away, while those same
young people are envying your appar-
ent royal road to fame and fortune |;
you should be grateful, my dear, CRATE
| full as can be, that you can sell
sketches enough to almost pay your
lodging"
Dora did not mention payment Of
| food. Sometimes DOra's food was not
worth mentioning. Paper bag meals
| as a rule, when she finished her draw
ings; q dinner or two as celebration
when the checks came in. And So
working feverishly, saving much heat
! ing. saving altogether too much food,
1t was not strange that the ambitious
girl awakened one morning to find
herself Ill, on the camouilaged bed,
which passed day times as a gorgeous
couch.
Dora wondered weakly, concerning
the problem of meals which she would
be unable to prepare, then gave up the
problem in n long and dreamlesS sleep.
When again her gray eyes opened
shadows stretched across the room,
while over the sloping roof beneath
her window, came a stream Of light
from an opposite apartment.
Dora liked to look into the brilliant
rooms of this luXurlously appointed
apartment building towering above the
old shabby house. Almost it was like
gazing upon the stage of n theater,
gaily dressed women passing to and
fro, men too, idllng about the long,
smoking room. One who came and
went among them had the appearance
of n distinguished actor.
Dora liked his fresh fine youthful
face beneath it's crown of strangely
white hair.
Suddenly from the graveled roof be-
meath her window, a round and furry
ball came leaping over the sill. Dora
leaned forward listening, until with a
coaXinG whine a small white dog stood
beside her cot, putting forth a friend
ly paw.
Delightedly the girl caught the ami
NAL in her arms.
you dear little thing" she MUIR
INJURED then all at once Dora's arms
lay still.
AnXiously the dogs moist nose
shifted inquringly at her white out.
stretched arms once or twice an Gag
err tongue Tapped at her unresponsive
face, then back over the sill and across
the roof rushed the furry body.
The handsome man of the white
hair had just settled himself for m
evening smoke. Before lowering the
window shade he had looked across
the roof toward window that was
durkened, and when he leaned back
In his chair it was as with an air Of
disappointment.
"You rascal" he greeted the dog
which scrambled painting to his knee,
''paying truant again, eh?"
But Fluff was in no mood for pet
ting. Fiercely she caught at the mans
sleeve, running few steps from him
she barked back appcalingly.
"Nhat the dickens" frowned the
man. it was evident that the dog was
entreating him to follow.
Doctor Wilton decided TO obey the
animals whim. His mothers raising
of Fluff had made the little creature
In some ways almost human.
The doctor followed through the
French door to the apartment roof. He
heSitated as Fluff bounded across that
other roof, then whlmslcally continued
the chase.
Disappearing over the sill of Dorn's
window the dog still Enthusiastically
called to him from inside.
In that one shaft of light the doctor
saw a girls white upturned face-the
girls face-he caught his breath. How
often ne had seen the same sweet
features framed in the old house win
dow.
Wheh the doctor lighted the gas,
Dora raised slowly her dark frlnged
Eds.
Anything to eat today?" he asked,
his fingers on her pulse.
It was too much trouble to reply so
the young artist shook her head
"Or yesterday" asked the doctor
Dora smiled wanly. yesterday is
too far away to remember" Her eyes
fell upon the now Joyous Fluff,
"Oh p she murmured, "you came for
your dog. He visits me sometimes.
You don't mind"
The man smiled down upon her.
"He was even nicer" Dora consld-
cred "when he smiled" Ii was strange
that she had learned his face so well,
she was sure that che could sketch
from memory its every line.
II did not come for the dog" David
wilton said gently. II came for you.
/ have mother over In that building
who has only Fluff upon which to law
Ish her care. 1t strikes mo that you
need some care yourself. My mothel
will delight in giving It."
Suddenly STOPPING he lifted Dora's
light weight in his arms. Before the
roof door of the apartment building he
paused.
"Of course, this is all dream" the
girl murmured, because I have so Of
ten wished to be over here"