The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-12-12
ACROSS the ROOF
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
BY JACK LAYTON


rs an artist. And when the big rented
room seemed unusually bare. Dora.
with her happy sanguine spirit. con
graduated herself upon It's sky-lght.'
There were days. however, when the
skyllghtllght failed 20 compensate.
when these reflections threatened
ia overcome her, Dora would arise
briskly 10 HIGHT the rose shaded lamp
which was her comfort.
SILLY" she would rcprovc herself.
"cloomlne away, while those same
young people are envyIng your aupnr.
ent roynl road 10 fame and fortune !;
you should be grateful, my dcnr. CRATE
ful as can be. that you can sell
sketches enough 20 almost pay your
lodging"
Dora did not mention payment ~
food Sometimes noru's food was not
worth mentioning Paper lag meals
~ rule. when she finished her draw
lngs; dinner or two as celebration
when the checks came In. And 80,
working fcvorishly. saving much heat
Ing saving altogether too much food.
II was not strange that the ambitious
rirl awakened one morning tn find
herself H. on the camoullagod bod.
which passed day times as gorgeous
couch.
uom wondered weakly. concerning
the problem ~ meals which she would
De unable ,o prepare. then gave up the
problem In long and ireaml'ss slceu.
When again her gray eyes opened
shadows stretched across the room,
while over the slorlnr roof beneath
her window. cume stream u li-h
from M opposite apartment.
Dora liked 20 look into the brilliant
roous ~ this luNuryusly appointed
APARTMENT building towering above the
Old shabby hous" Almost Il was Ike
rnzlug upon the stage Of thenicr.
gnily dressed women passing 10 aud
fro, men too idlLnf about N" long,
Sinking room one who came md
went among them hnd the appearance
81 distinguished actor.
Dora rkcd his fr,.h fine youthful
face beneath lis crown ~ strangely
white hair
suddenly from the Fravolcd roof be-
meath her window. round and furry
ball came lcaping over the sill. Dora
leaned forward listening until with n
conxlng whine small white dog stood
beside her cot putin. forth n friend.
" paw.
p.urhtcdly the girl caught the ami.
mai To- her arms.
You dear little thing" she muir.
INJURED then nll ~ once poru's arms
lay still
AuNlously the dogs moist nose
smiled inQuiringly M her white out
stretched arms. once or twlc" an eng
or tongue Tapped at her unresron~iv"
face. then back over the sill and across
the roof rushed the furry body.
Tho handsome man - the white
hair had lust settled himself fUr m
evening smoke. Before lowering The
window shade he had lpoh,-! across
the roof toward window th"t was
darLcncd. AMI when ne leaned luck
In his chair IL was MS with m air Of
Disappointment
You rascal" he greeted the dog
which scrambled painting 10 his knee,
PLAYING truaut again, chf'
Hu' Tlur was In no mood for pct
.Ing Flcrccly she caught NJ the mnn's
sleeve. running few steps from him
she harkcd back appcalingly.
"Whnt the dickens" frownrd the
man. II was evident that the dog was
cn'rcatlng him 10 follow.
Doctor Wilton decided TO obey the
animals whim. His mothers raising
AZ Fun had made the little creature
In some ways almost human.
The doctor followed through the
french door 20 the apartment roof. lie
hcslintcd as Fmn bounded across hat
other roof, then whlmsIcally continued
the chase.
Disappearing over the sill 81 pora's
window the dog sim Enthusiastically
chilled 10 HIM from inside.
IN that one shaft 81 Hight the doctor
saw a girls white upturned fnce-,he
girls face-he caught his breath How
often he had seen the same sweet
features framod In the old house win
dow.
Nntn inc NN'l'T iNhl'h wv 49,
Dora rnised slowly her dark fringed
lids.
Anything 10 eat todayr he asked,
his fingers on her pulse.
II was too much trouble 10 reply so
the Young artist shook her head.
"Or yesterday" asked the doctor.
Dora smiled wanly. Yesterday Is
too far away 10 remember Her eyes
fell upon the now Joyous Fluff.
"Oh" she murmured, "you came for
your dog. He visits me sometimes.
You don't mindT"
The man smiled down upon her.
"IIe was even nicer" Dora consid'
cred, "when he smiled" II was strange
that she had learned his face So we'll
She was sure that she could sketch
from memory It's every line.
II did not come for the dog" David
Wilton said gently. II came for you.
] have a mother over In that building
who has only Flunf upon which to law
fish her care. II strikes me that you
need some care yourself. My mother
will delight In giving IT,"