The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-07-14
ACROSS THE ROOF
IIIIILIIIIlIIIlIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIIIInIIIIlIIIII
BY JACK LAYTON.

Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper UnIonJ
High up, at the back Of the shabby
old mansion, Dora began her career
as an artist And when the big rented
room seemed unusually bare, Dora.
with her happy sanguine spirit. con-
graduated herself upon its 'sky-light'
There were days. however, when the
skylightlight failed to compensate.
When these reflections threatened
to overcome her, Dora would arise
briskly to light the rose shaded lamp
which was her comfort.
"Silly," she would reprove herself,
"glooming away, while those same
young people are envying your appar-
ent royal road to fame and fortune;
you should be grateful, my dear, CRATE
full as can be. that you can SELF
sketches enough to almost pay your
lodging"
Dora did not mention payment OF
food. Sometimes Dora's food was not
worth mentioning. Paper bag meals
as rule, when she finished her draw
ings: dinner or two as celebration
when the checks came in. And so,
working feverishly, saving much heat
ing. saving altogether too much food,
It was not strange that the ambitious
girl awakened one morning to find
herself i'll, on the camouflaged bed,
which passed day times as gorgeous
couch A@
Dora wondered weakly, concerning
the problem Of meals which she would
be unable to prepare. then gave up the
problem in long and dreamless sleep.
When again her gray eyes opened
shadows stretched across the room,
while over the sloping roof beneath
her window, came stream of lighe
from an opposite apartment.
Dora liked to look into the brilliant
rooms of this luxuriously appointed
apartment building towering above the
old shabby house Almost it was like
gazing upon the stage of theater.
gaily dressed women passing to and
fro. men too. idling about the long,
smoking room. One who came and
went among them had the appearances
of a distinguished actor.
Dora liked his fresh fine youthful
face beneath its crown Of strangely
white hair.
Suddenly from the graveled roof be-
meath her window. round and furry
ball came leaping over the sill. Dora
fsta lpa NATL with
coaxing whine a small white dog stood
beside her cot, putting forth friend-
iy paw.
Delightfully."- the girl caught the anis
NAL in her arms.
"You dear little thing" she muir
INJURED. then all at once Dora's arms
lay still.
Anxiouslv the dogs moist nosd
shifted inquiringly at her white outs
stretched arms, once or twice an eag~
err tongue Tapped at her unresponsivs
face, then back over the sill and across
the roof rushed the furry body.
The handsome man Of the white
hair had Just settled himself for an
evening smoke. Before lowering tbs
window shade he had looked across
the roof toward window that was
darkened and when he leaned back
In his chair 1t was as with an air OF
disappointment.
'You rascal" he greeted the dog
which scrambled painting to his knee
playing truant again, eh?"
But Fluff was In no mood for pets
ting Fiercely she caught at the mans
sleeve, running few steps from HIM
she barked back appealingly.
"What the dickens" frowned the
man, 1t was evident that the dog was
entreating him to follow.
Doctor Wilton decided TO obey the
animals within. His mothers raising
of Fluff had made the little creature
In some ways almost human.
The doctor followed through ths
French door to the apartment roof. Hs
hesitated as Fluff bounded across that
other roof, then whimsically continued
the chase.
Disappearing over the sill Of Dora's
window the dog still Enthusiastically
called to him from inside. T.
In that one shaft of light the doctor
saw girls white upturned face-the'
girls face-he caught his breath. How
often ne had seen the same sweet
features framed In the old house wins
dow.
When the doctor lighted the gas.
Dora raised slowly her dark fringe8
lids.
Anything to eat today7" he asked
his fingers on her pulse.
1t was too much trouble to reply sc
the young artist shook her head.
"Or yesterday" asked the doctor4
Dora smiled wanly. Yesterday ix
too far away to remember" Her eyes
fell upon the now joyous Fluff.
"Oh" she murmured, "you came for
your dog. He visits me sometimes
You don't mind?"
The man smiled down upon her.
'He was even nicer" Dora consit<
cred, when he smiled" 1t was strangs
that she had learned his face so WE'LL
She was sure that she could sketch
from memory its every line.
II did not come for the dog" David
Wilton said gently. II came for you.
I have a mother over In that building
who has only Fluff upon which to Law
ish- her care. 1t strikes me that you
need some care yourself. My mother
will delight in giving II"
Suddenly stnoninp he lifted nora'&