Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1919-08-07
ACROSS THE ROOF
IIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIlIIlIIIlIll
BY JACK LAYTON.


High up at the back of the shabby
old mansion, Dora began her career
ms 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
skylghtlght failed to compensate.
When these reflections threatened
TO overcome her. Dora would arise
hrtskIy to light the rose shaded lang
which was her comfort.
"Siny," she would reprove herself,
"glooming away, while those same
young people are envylng your appar-
ent royal road TO fame and fortune |;
you should be grateful, my dear, CRATE
ful as can be, that you can sell
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 a 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,
II was not strange that the ambitious
girl awakened one morning to find
herself III, on the camoufaged bed,
which passed day times as a gorgeous
couch.
Dora wondered weakly, concerning
the problem Of meals which she would
be unable TO prepare, then gave up the
problem In a long and dreamless sleep.
When again her gray eyes opened
shadows stretched across the room,
while over the sloping roof beneath
her window, came a stream OF light
from an opposite apartment.
Dora liked to look into the brilliant
rooms Of this luxurlously appointed
apartment building towering above the
old shabby house. Almost II was like
gazing upon the stage of theater,
gaily dressed women passing to ana
fro, men too, idling about the long,
smoking room. One who came ana
went among them had the appearance
Of distinguished actor.
Dora liked his fresh fine youthful
face beneath It's crown Of strangely
white hair.
Suddenly from the graveled roof be.
meath her window. a round and furry
BAH came leaping over the sill. Dora
leaned forward listening until with q
coaxing whine q small white dog stood
beside her cot, putting forth friend
h paw.
Delightedly the girl caught the ami
NAL in her arms.
SYou dear little thing" she MUIR
INJURED, then all at once Dora's arms
lay still.
Anxiously the dogs moist nose
shifted inquiringly at her white out
stretched arms. once or twice an Gag
er tongue Tapped at her unresponsive
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 the
window shade he had looked across
the roof toward a window that was
darkened, and when he leaned back
In his chair IL was as with an air OF
disappointment.
"You rascal" ne greeted the doc
which scrambled painting to his knee,
playing truant again, eh7"
But Fluff was In no mood for pet
ting. Fierceiy she caught at the mans
sleeve, running a few steps from him
she barked hack appealingly.
sWhat .he dickens" frowned the
man, II was evident that the dog was
entreating him to follow.
Doctor Wilton decided 10 obey the
animals within. His mothers raising
Of Fufr had made the little creature
In some ways almost human.
The doctor followed through the
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 10 him from inside.
In that one shaft of light the doctor
saw girls white upturned face-ths
girls face--he caught HIS breath. How
often he had seen the same sweet
features framed In the old house wia-
dow.
When the doctor lighted the gaA
Dora raised slowly her dark fringed
lids.
Anything to eat todayr' he asked.
his fingers on her pulse.
II was too much trouble to reply -
the young artist shook her head.
a0r yesterday" asked the doctor.
Dora smiled wanly. Yesterday 10
Zoo far away to remember" Her eyes
Cell upon the now joyous Fiuff.
"Ohf" she murmured. "you came for
your dog. He visits me- sometimes
You don't mindT"
The man smiled down upon her.
sHe was even nicer" Dora consid-
cred, awhen he smiled" II was strange
fhat she had learned his face so well.
She was sure that she could sketch
from memory It's every line.
II did not come for the dog" David
Wilton said gently. 81 came for you.