The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-22
EVENING STORY
The WindOw-Cleaner.
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


"Pianissimo! A little heavier and
louder just there"
Sue turned in startled amazement
for the voice had come from the win
dow. There, gazing calmly within.
his elbows on the sill, was man in
his shirt sleeves, looking quite as much
at home as tho good firm terrain
were not almost a hundred feet be-
low him.
My" cried Sue, getting UP quick
ly and coming over. How you
frightened me! But good gracious,
you'll fall! How did you happen to
get there?"
Music" said the man. draws
some people as honey draws a bear.
Will you play the last two dozen bars
over again? That last part is per-
feet. but a little louder, fuller. don't
you know, like this" And forgetful
of his position he let go with one
hand to mark the cadence-and slipe
ped. But he caught himself in time.
Don't do that" screamed Sue.
"Oh. I'm all right. I'm accustomed
to climbing. Used to be a lineman.
you know"
Then" said Sue, that's different"
Then she had an inspiration. That
morning she had cleaned her win
dows but the outside with its sheer
drop to the street was too much for
her. 1t made her dizzy just to stand
inside and look down. The building
had had no janitor for two weeks
see thru.
Il wonder if you would do me a
favor!' she said shyly.
Name it," said her visitor
promptly.
'If get you a cloth, do you think
outside of my windows? 1 can't reach
them. 1 get so dizzy. and the jani-
tors SICK
Sure 1 can," he smiled, land sure
1 will. and 1 don't mind at all. But
will you play that piece over again
while I'm working. It's very pretty.
What is it?''
Sue flushed with pleasure "Oh. do
you think so? I'm composing q song
cycle and this one is the Wild West
Now, I'll get you the things, and then
play all the songs all over for YOU"
The windows polished to a nicely,
the stranger pulled himself over the
sill, and when Sue had finished she
turned to find him watching her in
tently. a look his face that only
comes to true music lovers.
You think it's all right?' she
asked
All right? It's more than that. It's
the best thing I've ever heard. What
are you going to do with it when it's
finished?"
II don't know exactly, haven't
dared to hope. 1 don't have much time
to work at it, you see, for give les
sons, and Saturday and Sunday are
about all the time I have and eve
nings, of course. But 1 have thought
of several publishers. I Stokes, and
Friehausen. and Sims and Winter"
Did you ever think of Keech?"
asked Sues visitor.
"Keech! Think of Keech?' cried
she. = Yes. when I was asleep and
dreaming I was Chaminade or some
other miracle. Keech, you know, only
takes the big things. the wonderful
things, the things we ordinary NOR
tails can't begin to touch. You don't
understand. One dreams of Keech. but
never in his sane waking moments,
dares to approach him with so much
as thought.
Besides" she added, after
they say, queer. eccentric. you know.
like so many big musical people; sort
of little off his head. You under
stand, don't your
"Pm trying to-" said the other with
a smile well. we live and learn.
I've always heard that your friend was
a little nutty on music. but I never
knew he was so bad as that. II that's
the case, wouldn't waste my time on
him.
awful But I'm glad you like my nnu-
sic"
1t was almost a dismissal. The man
had dropped from the skies. he had
done her favor. she had done him
one, the afternoon was flying. and she
must get to work
at say" He was thoughtful for a.
moment. Il have plan. wonder If