Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-25
DAILY NOVELETTE,
SPOOKS
BY Pearl B. Meyer

TT WAS close and hot in the Office
where Maisie worked all day tipping,
taking dictation from exacting employ
crs. who were sharp IL she made mis-
take. How could she help making
slips those muggy July days, with the
thermometer In the nineties? The keys
would stick; her fingers would slip to
tho wrong letter-yet she was very
careful, usually quite exact in her
work Something was the matter with
the shift board and caused delay that
made the boss impatient. The heat
had got on his nerves, too.
Maisip was glad when the clock struck
j and she could be released from her
task vet it was with mild, passive
kind of gladness, with hardly enough
energy even for that Somehow she had
lost the capacity for the real thrill of
ioy. The grind and noise of the city
had crushed it out of her. What was
there to 60 home to. after all. Was
II much Of a relief after her long, hard
day? What home was there for her in
a lodging house of the great city?
with her latchkey Maisic opened
the door Of the house in which she
roomed and mounted the three flights
of stairs to the hall bedroom, back.
Her one window looked out on the
back alleyway, but there was glimpse
of sky above the row of red brick build =
ings that backed onto the alley from the
next street. The sky was pink now
from the sunset light. Maisie was
thankful that her window looked to the
west. She had always loved to watch
the sunsets.
Maisic was startled by an unusual
INTERRUPTION. "Some one to see you,
Miss Banks the housekeeper called up
the stairs.
A caller! When hadShe had caller
before? What could it mean? She had
not even told the girls in the Office
where she lived. Somehow. she did not
want them to find her out; she had been
used to something so different. There
was no one else in the city whom she
knew Who could it be?
With feminine instinct Maisie glanced
at herself in the small mirror, brushed
back a mass of auburn hair that had
fallen about her girlish face, pinned her
collar, and put a fresh ribbon at her
throat. She looked really pretty as a
flush of excitement lit up her psle
cheeks, and a sudden CLEAN came into
her yellow brown eyes. The unusual
mystery, the expectancy had trans
formed her from the listless, discour-
>ged girl, to a hopeful maiden, with
fairy dreams and fancies. She tripped
lightly down the stairs, notwithstand-
ing her weariness, wondering as she
went.
The hallway was dark and she could
not see her visitor at first, but boyish
voice tried "Maisie You didn't expect
to see me. now. did you? Confess you
are surprised
why, John Haley :" she beGmed,
where did you come from?"
well, you see. was over in Hall
way and I thought I'd run over and
give you the surprise of your life-are
you glad to see me. Maisie? My but
it's hot here in the city - He wiped the
perspiration from his face.
Was she glad to see him Maisie' s
eyes were filled with tears, and she
laughed with happiness she had not
felt for many months.
John was her old time friend. She
had known him from childhood; they
had grown up together. She had often
thought of him in the long, weary
months since she left home, but he was
not the kind to write letters. Indeed
she had been almost afraid he had for
gotten her. 1t was but boy and girl
friendship. Perhaps he had married
Was she glad? Why. it was like be
her.
"Aint it sitting heren he said
again. Get your hat and come out
where we can get some air-and talk
I've lots to tell you. How can you
stand it, cooped up here in the city?
They walked out farther than she had
dared to go by herself, where there was
breeze from the river. But they were
not alone; there were many others
crowded there.
do you like it, Maisie?" John sale
HI ienRtH Ine crowds, the noise anC
everything? Amt what you used t.
love?"
II know. John, but" the cir
hesitated. II thought at first I never
could stand it, but I've got to, yol
know. I've got to earn the money"
Money be hanged! - he roared. IN.
grille, I've got enough for us both. Com
back to the green friends; they're call
ing you. / want you, Maisie. I've al.
ways wanted you, only couldn't say
it. Will you come home with me?"
He held out his arms, regardless o
the throngs that passed.
With great throb at her heart, ,
feeling of rest and comfort, sh
breathed: "You want me-to be-"
Yes, want you to be my little wife
Maisie, for ] love you" His arms wer
about her, and she smiled, "I'lI 60 hom
with you, John"
The next complete novelette,: Tn
Rose Colored Rug.