Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-07-26
DOWN-AND-OUTER
BY WHITE.

Copyright. 1918, by Western Newspaper onlon''
Nan stood at the, window, and
drummed, not at all disconsolately;
she had often wondered how it might
feel to be penniless in a strange city.
Now she knew, but the knowledge
seemed irresponsibly vague.
"Here l am" said Nan to the ca
nary, "without a cent in the world,
and the fact does not affect me at all"
Determinedly she sat before a mir
ror studying her own bright face.
"Can't you realize the seriousness Of
your f%ailure?" she went on. The
musical career which brought you here
is ended. Your last pupil has gone, your
board bill is paid until Monday only,
and then what will it be?"
Back in the country n heart was
ready to claim her, but Nan turned
impatiently from that devotion. If she
married it must be for love. If not, of
what use were all the old golden
dreams, the charm of romance which
made youth beautiful? She jumped
up. ooh, something will happen" said
Nan. 'In all this big world there must
be a little place for me. What did
Mammie Chloe use to sing, Turn out
your silver-linin', chile; show your
own silver-linin'.'"
Spreading her wardrobe upon the
bed preparatory to packing, Nan
hummed the song, then rebuked her
self. "Nan Robins, you're not acting
much like a down-and-outer, and that's
what you are; a regular down-and-
OUTER" Her voice trailed off musingly,
while her head bent appraisingly over
a violet silk petticoat. Silk petticOatS
were not much to Mans needs these
days, when her elbows persisted in
finding their way through the last of
her waists. Here was n of lavender
chiffon, cast away because of that same
fault. Nan gave a cry. "Why not
combine the useless petticoat and the
unfortunate chiffon into a whole and
presentable waist? Your silver-linin',.
chile,'" hummed Nan, and crossed the
hall to a neighor's apartment.
"Oh, Mrs. Burns" she said, Il m
going to ask as a favor the use of your
sewing machine for the afternoon, if 1
might wheel it across the hall, and
offer you anything for exchange, my
~victrola, perhaps? Would you care to
have it for a few dayS?"
But Mrs. Burns was only too glad
to accommodate her CHEEKY neighbor.
SAT six" Nan said, 81 will wheel the
machine back into your rooms, and you
will not be able to appreciate how
much you have helped me-"
Before six Mrs. Burns came into
Mans sunny room, where the canary
sang in tune to her busy sewing. You
must pardon my INVASION" Mrs.
Burns said, "and my quick acceptance
of YOU friendship. 1 do get so lonely,
away from my own young friends, and
there is something about the very way
you carry yourself, Miss Robins,
which gives one courage. l suppose
being busy and successful, as you are,
gives one a sort of confidence. Oh,
what a love of a waist!'
do you think 500" asked Nan. II
have been trying to follow out the
idea of a high-priced waist in The
Women's Shoppe,' but violet and law
ender are not becoming to me-" She
laughed. sid sell the whole thing for
two dollars"
Little Mrs. Burns caught up the
waist and held it beneath her face.
eff you really meant that you'd sell
it," she said, 81 would give you FIVE
dollars in a minute"
at does look lovely on you," Nan
slowly agreed. 81 would like to give
it to you"
my dear child" the bride ex-
claimed, "do you think 1 could accept
your material and work."
Nan made a hasty mental c%alcula-
ton. -Four dollars, them" she said
suddenly.
Joyfully Mrs. Burns assisted in roll
ing the machine back across the hall.
"And you will go to the matinee with
me tomorrow" she begged.
"You have not been giving lessons
lately?" Mrs Burns inquired the next
day. 81 do not hearsyour piano. Are
you resting?"
NO." Nan replied, 81 am not rest
ing. My classes are closed. 1 must
go away Monday."S
my dear!" her companion COM
planned. "Just when 1 had hoped to
know you better. Where are you
going?"
Nan gazed far out we the chimney
tops; her eyes were still untroubled,
and she smiled.
Suddenly Mrs. Burns arose to beck
Ill
taurant floor. Hat in hand, he adj
vanced toNtheir table.
why, Tom," greeted the bride,
"when did you come to town? Miss
Robins allow me to introduce my
brother. You will sit with US, Tom?"
The tall young man obeyed with
alacrity. II came in this morning I'M
eXpectedly." he explained. "Want "a