The herald., 1919-08-28
LOVES MIRACLE
BY SADIE ESTELLE BALLOON.

Erua Wolfe noticed that tho lunch she
had ordered was the lowest priced on
the bin Of tare--a bowl Of soup and
crackers. Then, too, She ATE with al
most raycuous haste. Ernu felt u
quick throh Of pity. She could not
tell Why She spoke, making Il casual
remark on the weather. and then
Il am going to order some fee
cream and cake for both OF Us, if YOU
have time and will talk with me. /
and new in the city, ami oh SO lone
some"
And thus the Ice was broken and
the keen enjoyment of her new aC-
quaintanCc Of the little treat made
Erna happy. She became confidential.
She told her simple story, that of
country bred girl whose strpmothcr
had turned her adrlft after the death
Of her father.
81 found some steady work today"
said Erra, quite a batch of hand
copy ing Of old manuscripts for
museum. They cover the history Of
various curios, the object being prcScr
walton rather than publicity. Am l not
fortuuatc?"
You are, indeed" responded Ger.
trude Warren. Il have been out OF
work for Il week and not single
prospect in view"
'Dh, you must not be discouraged :"
said br!Sht-spirited Erna, Il feared /
was going to Use up my little surplus
store Of money waiting for work, when
this came along. And, by the by. per
maps you can help mc in dilemma.
| have been staying at hotel. and
that is expensive. You are probably
better acquainted with the city than
myself. Can you advise me how To go
about getting room In some respect
able place not too far from down
town and not too dear?"
Gertrude seemed to have the room
desired Immediately in view. She
told Erna that she knew there was a
furnished room for rent right next to
her own in Il house where a widow
Kept only lady dodgers. Erna was
grateful and pleased Gertrude ac-
Companied her to the hotel, where Erna
paid her bill and asked her newly
made friend to carry one Of her Satch-
els. She treated to d refreshing soda
on their way to her new home. Ger
trude introduced her 10 her landladv,
arrangements were made for an apart.
ment that pleased Erna immensely,
and she was glad To have Gertrude
for close neighbor and told her so.
Gertrude left Erna after helping her
unpack her belongings and promised
to show her convenient restaurant
later in the day. Erna was arranging
the manuscript on little writing
table when she looked up and listened
intently. Plainly she heard the land
lady outside In the hall say:
Don't think me unfriendly, Miss
Warren. but / must have the back
months rent or I shall have to ask
you to give up your room to a new
tenant"
You have been very considerable to
me, Mrs. Dale" came the low-toned re-
Spouse, "and l would not Impose on
your generosity any further even II
you would let me. II do not get
work tomorrow 1 will find new quar-
tiers and pay you up when 1 regain q
situation"
Erna waited until the girl had en-
tered her own room, then she stole
down the hall after the landlady. She
took out her pocketbook and a whis-
pered conference ensued. Half an
hour later Mrs. Dale announced to
Gertrude that she had changed her
mind. II she would be willing to as
sist her an hour each morning ironing
the napkins and tableclothS, she
would ask her for neither the default
ed nor future room rent, as long as
she was agreeable to the arrange
ment.
Gertrude suspected that her new
friend was responsible for this great
benefit. She grew TO love Erna as
dear sister. Better fortune came her
way In the shape Of service for two
hours afternoons In a doctors office
1T dollar day. Evenings she would
sit reading In Erna's room while its
owner copied the old manuscripts.
Erna was enthusiastic over this work
and often kept at 1t half the night
through. The strain broke her down.
She was taken Ill one morning and
Tor nearly n month passed through q
period Of fever and delirium and IL
vas then that Gertrude made the dis
,overy that her friend had left behind
her In her old home town man she
owed, Alden Thorpe
Erna sat up at last. Her first ex-
preston was Of regret over her neg
ected work, but In glad amaze when
The learned that Gertrude had COM
'leted the copying, the money for il
lad been paid and there was plenty
II new work when Erna got well.
Then came a letter one day and as
Irna read 1t her eyes lit up with a
PRYOR that nearly Overcame her II
vas signed "Alden Thorpe"
Dear Erna," II read, your step
mother has refused TO give me your
address,, but at last have learned IL
md | am coming TO you to tell Won