South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-20
In the Elevator
By ELLA RANDALL PEARCE.

IL was hot the fact that there was
& young woman OH Su:y In the hotel
elevator tn;;t made Mr.. Foster Ring
stare and gasp and stand in the mid
die of the bronze barred cage with
the air of a man who has suddenly
lost his bearings.
He had seen young women in sim
liar service before in these cata-
clysmal days of world wide warfare.
the elevator door in this case was
his own wife: his truant wife for
whom he was searching at that mo-
ment
That she had also seen and recog-
nized him Mr.. Foster Ring was quite
sure; for the small ear and segment
OF cheek turned his way were of in
| creasing pinkness; and when she
said TO a fussy old lady at her elbow.
Did you want the third floor? This
is the third floor, Madam" her
voice was not altogether steady.
But the elevator had illed with
passengers and remained well occu-
pied for most of the trip. 1t was at
the top or 2lst floor stop that, by
remaining. young Mr.. Ring found
himself alone with the pink-cheeked.
pink-eared young woman.
He advanced impetuously from
the corner TO which he had retreat
ed. Geraldine" he exploded
| What possessed yOu?''
She kept her back TO him and N
silence began her descent. Foster
caught at the hand on the lever.
You must speak to mel Before
people come in again" he said chok-
ngly.
| She turned her head and snapped
| her dark eyes at him from under
| her Jaunty cap. Conversation :
| against orders" she answered terse-
! ly. and swung the doors open 10 ad-
nit a family party OF FIVE.
! Mr.. Foster Ring retreated 10 his
corner again. His wits were recov-
/ ering from the shock by this time
and clearing into their usual keen
working order A faint smile wrin-
killed. the corners OF his deep blue
eyes.
When the elevator had yielded the
last of it's human load into the hotel
/ lobby-the last burt one man in 4
corner-the young woman in service
wheeled severely about.
Main floor-all OUT" she said,
tersely polite.
I'm going up" meekly an
nounced the staff in the corner.
She bit her lip and jerked her
shoulder angrily.
You can't. I won't have it" She
spoke i'm low. fierce tones. desperate
/ with chagrin and apprehension.
iii report YOU as IA nuisance. '
And I'll make charge agains;
YOU of discourtesy 10 a guest" re-
ported Mr.. Foster Ring.
The elevator began TO MI again:
for the hotel was a new commercial
building in the city's center, and II
| stood opposite a busy railway ter
| minal. II was at the twenty first
floor again that Mr.. Ring came for
| ward during the cars brief wait
Geraldine. this is very absurd "
he said ingratiatingly. Won't YOU
I y
The young woman had lasped
from nervous vexation into a suller
mood. She was conscious of her
own disadvantage fgpratively chain
ed as she was TO her post OF duty
How could woman be charming
or clever or even impressive in her
righteous resentment places in such
a position How could she enter
into a duel of words and maintair
her dignity with her hand on a lever
and her ear inclined 10 signals?
Geraldine Ring could have wept
but she felt that tears like CONVEX
sation were not compatible with her
situation. The only comfortins
thought she had was that her braid
cd uniform was smartly becoming.
Main floor-all OUT" Geraldine's
voice held warning note beneath
its criSpness.
Young Ring in his corner smiled