The Raymer enterprise., 1918-01-10
HoMEslck DORA
sy SCHUYLER rERRILL,

I'm homesick for the West-and TO
him."
For moment Dora Trisdale burie,
her curly head among the faded cush
ions Of the narrow couch. Mary Myers
sitting opposite, gazed upon her won
deringly.
Il didn't know you felt that wa,
about IT," she said finally. u though
you liked II here"
Dora sat up. her black eyes CLEAN
Ing resentfully.
Like itf' she burst forth. II hat,
every minute Of every day here In New
York"
Mary smiled grimly. "Why did 20,
come, them" she asked.
Il never told you why I came here
did II she asked finally.
mo, except that you wanted to g,
on the stage"
"You know about Jim. don't your
"A little"
well, | was engaged to marry hin
once" Dora continued. "He is only ;
fnrmer-a big rube, we'd call hin
here-but he was about the only fellow
I'd ever known, and we grew up to
gcther."
Did he have any money!"
He wasn't any millionaire, but h,
owned a big farm and could have glyer
me a good home. When my mothe
died he wanted me TO marry him anS
settle down. but ma had some life In
surance, and thought I'd take tina
and see New York.
How muchf'
"Fiye hundred dollars. Jim said tha
] ought to put 1t away SO I'd be indie
pendent, and had almost agreed Will
him when show came to Glendale
and l went to see 1t. The compan.
held a reception afterward, and one o.
the actresses told me that could max,
good on the stage. ! believed her, ant
In spite Of all that Jim could do,
decided to come to New York and ge
a job"
You didn't need a job with all tha
money In your purse"
Dora smiled wryly.
Il didn't have II long" she explained
.Where'd 1t gor'
"Pickpockets. | guess. After tina
! went around to the theaters until
got taken on In this chorus. I've beer
here for six weeks now, and I'm slcl
and tired OF the whole thing"
"And you're still In love with thu
rube?" she asked.
"Yes.n
"Nhy don't you write and ask hin
to come and get your
HE wouldn't do ii. He's stubborn
and he told me that If once came
here he was through"
"oh, | seel' Mary Myers, wise ir
the ways Of the world, smiled grimly
She was really fond Of her strange
Httle roommate.
We'll, you go to bed. honey" she
said soothlngly, "and maybe things will
come out all right
After Dora's deep breathing had sig
nlfied forgetfulness Of the hall bed,
room and everything connected with 1t
the other girl took rather scratchy
pen from the center table and nd.
dressed letter to Mr.. Jim Black, Glen.
dale, Colorado.
A week passed, and the strange light
In Dora's eyes grew brighter. Mary
developed the habit Of going home di.
rectly after the evenings performance.
She encouraged Dora to talk Of Glen.
dale, and Of Jim.
IF Jim would only come to me-
Dora said one evening, "Td tell him
how homesick | am"
1t was after midnight, and the two
girls had just come home from the
show" The open window brought to
the room myriad sounds Of the city.
Suddenly the doorbell rang shrilly.
Dora leaped to her feet.
Someone's forgotten his key again.
she exclaimed irrltably. "Oh, how ]
hate this place."
From the lower hall they could hear
the sound Of voices. Then footsteps
ascended the stairs and knock sound.
ed on their door.
Come in," Mary called.
The door opened and the landlady
stood before them.
There's man downstairs wants to
see Mary" she announced. "It's a fire
time to have visitors, l must say, wax.
ing the house up at this ungalnly
hour"
That's all right. Mrs. Murphy, I'll
go right. down." Mary shot look at
Dora. zone Of the Johnnies wanting
me to so to a party, ! guess" she ex-
planned.
But at the foot Of the stairs she met
q man she had never seen. He lowered
over her. and In his eyes was an anx-
ious light.
Are you Miss MyersY he asked alb
ruptly.
"Yes."
"You wrote to mel"
Into Mary's face came the light Of q
sudden understanding.
Are you Jimf' she asked.
|, "Yes," he answered.
''Come with me-"
Mary led the way up the darkened
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