Smyrna times., 1918-01-30
The Floor
Below
By AGNES C. BROCAN

room in the palatjal apartment build
ing, and stepped to the window before
pressing the lighting button. In the
darkness he could better
find that for which his eyes were seek
ing.
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. 1t |
was so inviting and comfortable, the |
little two roomed home at the top Of |
an old crumblng 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 it. Now here in
the luxury of his own well-appOinted
room, his spirit seemed to have fled
with his desire to the cOZy firPSide OPP
pOSite, where Il bunch of viOlets show
ed beneath the rOse-Shaded lamp on
the table. The girl bent over the viO-
lets lovingly, and the coils of her hair
glOwed like FURNISHED copper. Davis
wished that his Illustrators might
have viewed the wiStful face. which
was so exactly what Il noble herOine's
face should be. The girl raised it sud
denly, and emptied out upon the table
the contents of a tiny purse, then with
a 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 a 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 iOafed cold and thin on the
lean-tO roof, now he baslled and grew
fat before the "gas logs" of her fire.
"Muggins," she called him. opening the
window to let him in, and Muggins be-
ing of an adventurous turn. had sew
cral 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 colo
1 evening, he waited before removing hi!
coat, glancing down to the floor be
low. 1t was dark save for the unusUa
|
Davis diScerned the girls figure; sh
was upon her knees before the fire
place. There was no response to he
repeated efforts with matches, tn
lamp and the plate-stOve alike refuse
to glow, then the author remembered
Idly he had noted in the evening pa
4 per, of a shortage of city gas, Whic
ID the company hoped later to remed!
- Because of this shortage, the pape
stated, Suffering had been great" Th
girls unusually bright face Shove
encouragement in the candle ligh
Upon her cheek were traces of tear
Again the purse came to view, i
contents counted, then still in suit al
hat his young neighbOr set forth III
cold evening meal-evidently the co
- eted purchased dinner was among h
impOssibilities.
Overwhelming pity flooded the a
thOr's being, and with the pity-indi
nation. Here was he in his glitteril
- temple of warmth and plenty, entC
tanning guests whose presence brOug
to him neither satisfaction or plei
ure. and there was she, that brave ]
tie creature, cold and hungry-near
and ne might not help her. A crOC
ing sound caused him to look dow
Muggins, rubbed contentedly agair
the authors feet. With a sudden Il
laugh, Davis snatched up the cat a
stepped into the elevator. It was n
essary to walk up the many steps
NJ the next door mansion, but at last
> found her door.
The girl in the candle-light stal
at him.
"YOur cat" Davis explained, twas
. my room. I've brought him back. {
off, eh?" he went on not waiting
her to speak, "that's unfortunate. E
ter come over to the white Stone
supper. You'll pardon the appar
rndeness of MY suggestion" he h
tened on at the answering flash of