The Pulaskian., 1919-11-14
ROSES
By JACK LAwToN.

y Reasonable. References Required"
 With a sigh of relief. the girl turned up her collar against the night breeze, and crossed to the white stone build- ing of the home. Inside the lighted hall she paused breathlessly before the matron's desk.
 The girl felt all at once as pris- oner may feel beneath the judicial eye. As coldly searching was the ma trons inspection of her own small fig ure.
 You eame," the woman asked, ''in the interest of an applicant to the home?"
 q am the applicant" the girl re- piled.
 The experienced one stared.
 You will pardon me-" she said brusque1y; i've are not accustomed to receive girls who are able to pay for lodging elsewhere. This home is en- dowed, and for those only in the hum- blest circumstances"
 T." said the girl again, have no more money tonight than will pay for my lodging with you"
 "But, my dear young woman," the matron persisted. 'your clothing-your furs alone indicate unlimited means"
 Abruptly the woman turned to her books
 Miss Jane Page, Shore Acres. Cliff town" the girl answered steadily.
 ''The name of Miss Page is, of course, known in charitable circles" the matron said. Be seated while call her on the telephone
 Presently the woman looked up from her quest.
 Miss Page is not at home,e she said, and I am not sure that I would be justified in accommodating you, un- der the circumstances. Our rule is-''
 4 cheery young person coming from an inner sewing room smiled.
 "Oh what night Mrs. Smith" she eoaxed. "Let her stay. She can bunk with ne. They's two beds in my room. Anyway, it's cold out, and even if the lady's clothes are swell, maybe she hasn't real money"
 Mrs. Smith regarded the volunteer samaritan indulgently.
 .e1hat spirit of yours, Hedda," she said, would take in the whole town."
 The glance she bestowed upon the waiting applicant was softened.
 Your name, then?" she asked.
 Jamie Leslie" the girl answered.
 Gratefully her eyes sought those of her intercessor.
 "All right" Hedda ended the inter- view; "ceme with me, and I'll show you our cell"
 The name was fittingly given, Jamie Leslie thought as she entered the mar row sleeping room, with it's barest ne- cessities for comfort. But between Hedda's little bed and the one she her self was te occupy stood on the cells one chair great vase of roses, all in crimson bloom. in snow time.
 The new guest bent her face de- lightedly to the flowers.
 Its like life" she said to Hedda. "In life's hardest, most unlikely places we come upon roses of comfort, like your kindness tonight to me, stranger"
 @oh, that was nothing" gestured Hedda. You were down on your luck. Mebbe tomorrow you'll be up again. But ne" Hedda shrugged re- signedly, I'm down all the time."
 Tell me-" said Jamie Leslie i'm pusively.
 Not much to tell" Hedda replied, "only I thought it might help you to know they was others in hard places, too. I've got job in the basement at Kahill's that keeps me here, all right, but I can't do what I ought to do for Tad. He's my little brother. I've raised him, some way, since our folks died. But the doctors say he ought to go away now for two or three years-where the air is clearer. Two years is longer than we can see to make 1t. got Tad a job driving florists wagon so he can be in the air That's where my roses come from. They let Tad have em when they're going to fall. He's the best and bravest kid" Hedda gulped. That's my streak of hard luck" she finished. We all have 'em. Good night"
 Good night" said Jamie Leslie soft ly; "good night-dear."
 When Hedda awakened next morn ing she found her guest already de parted. While an important young business man was greatly surprised at \
 when he arrived in his office
 Jane Pagep he cried, where have you been?"
 Spending the night at the Home for Women Employed E" she answered sweetly. Tt was not in search of ad- venture this time, Billy" she hastened to add at his frown of disapproyal q came to the city last night with money in my change purse alone When searched my bag I found that I had