The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1918-08-07
The Floor
A. Below /
rT,gJY- Ry1r IWU
Icopyright. 1917. Western Newspsper Union
B, AGNES c. BROCAN

copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union
Ralph Davis, whose latest book hat
made such a sensation, entered his
room in the palatial apartment build:
Ing, and stepped to the window before
pressing the lighting button. In the
protecting darkness he could better
find that for which his eyes were seek.
Ing. if
Yes, she was there, the graceful lit
tie occupant of the floor below. Prior
to her coming the next door attic
rooms had been desolate and vacant,
now the light streaming across from
the unshaded window, brought a sense
Of evening welcome. Deliberately and
with no spying scruples, the author
seated himself in an enveloping chair,
watching with satisfaction, the girls
preparation of her evening" meal. Il
was so inviting and comfortable, the
little two roomed home at the top Of
an old crumbling city mansion.
Throughout his college course, and
the apartment life which followed,
Ralph Davis had never ceased to long
for the old home atmosphere of his
boyhood; in the residences Of his
friends. with their perfect table serv-
ice, he had not found 1t. Now here in
the luxury of his own well-appointed
room, his spirit seemed to have fled
with his desire to the coy fireside OPP
posite, where a bunch Of violets show
ed beneath the rose-shaded lamp on
the table. The girl bent over the VIC.
lets lovingly, and the coils of her hair
xlowed like FURNISHED copper. Davis
wished that his illustrators might
have viewed the wistful face, which
was so exactly what noble heroine's
face should be. The girl raised it sud
denly, and emptied out upon the table
the contents Of q tiny purse, then with
smile, which might have been one of
bright resignation, she went about the
getting Of her supper. And Davis un-
derstood that the money squandered
for the flowers must be saved in her
evening meal That she was strang-
er to the city was evidenced by the
girls lack Of friends, by evenings
spent alone beneath the shaded lamp,
engaged in writing, or drawing. Per
haps she was an art student making
her way, at any rate, the way was
hard. The author was glad at least,
that she had the companionship of the
old gray cat. Before her coming, the
cat had loafed cold and thin on the
lean-to roof, now he basked and grew
fat before the "gas logs" Of her fire.
'sAfuggins,," she called him. opening the
window to let him in, and Mugglns be-
ing Of an adventurous turn, had sew
eral times made his way by the jut-
ting Roof overhead, to the open win
dow Of Davis apartment, where the
author gave the cat free range.
It was because Of his work upon
these lines, Davis told himself, that
the study Of courageous struggling
young womenhood SO interested him.
Here was the opportunity to see the
problem worked out. But upon those
evenings when the shade across the
way was drawn, his disappointment
was unaccountably keen.
Entering his room one Intensely cold
evening, he waited before removing his
coat, glancing down to the floor be.
low. It was dark save for the unusual
light Of a candle. In its chickering's,
Davis discerned the girls figure; she
was upon her knees before the fire.
place. There was no response to her
repeated efforts with matches, the
lamp and the plate-stove alike refused
to- glow, then the author remembered.
Idly he had noted in the evening pa
per, Of shortage Of city gas, which
the company hoped later to remedy.
Because Of this shortage, the paper
stated, suffering had been great. )" The
girls unusually bright face showed
encouragement in the candle light.
Upon her cheek were traces Of tears.
Again the purse came to view, its
contents counted, then, still in suit and
hat, his young neighbor set forth her
cold evening meal evidently the COW
eted purchased dinner was among her
impossibilities. " i, q / ID
Overwhelming pity flooded the au-
thor's being, and with the pity--indiga
nation. Here was he in his. glittering
temple Of warmth and plenty, enter
tanning guests whose presence brought
to him neither satisfaction or pleas
ure, and there was she, that brave lit
tie creature, cold and hungry-nearby
and he might not help her. A Groom
ing sound caused him to look down,
Muggins, rubbed contentedly against
the authors feet. With sudden low
laugh, Davis snatched up the cat and
stepped into the elevator. It was nee
essary to walk up the many steps of
the next door mansion. but at last he
found her door. ..s.. .4s. Il,
The girl in the candle-light stared
at him. s.8ils ssss, II
sYouri cat" Davis explained, twas In
my room. I've brought him back. Gas
off, eh?'' he went on not waiting for
her to speak, that's unfortunate. Bet
ter come over to the White Stone for
supper. You'll pardon the apparent
rudeness of my suggestion" he has