The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-02-26
NEIGHBORS
BY MARIA NJ. CALLAHAN.

The sky was leaden gray and the
rain came down with the quiet per-
sstency of a hOplessly wet day. War
wick Chambers had its gay red and
white awnings tightly furled, present
ing orderly rows of windows for the
heavens to wash. Against one Of these
windows a childish face was pressed,
gazing disapprovingly out on the sod
den landscape.
About month before, May Dutton
had been offered d position in one Of
the city's commercial schools. AS the
mortgage on the old homestead was
to be foreclosed. the little teacher
gladly accepted and, with her small
sister, had faced the ordeal of city
life. Today for the first time the lit
tie girl was left alone, for feverish
cold had kept her from school. Maize
haG promised to come home as soon az
class was dismissed, but the hours
dragged dreadfully, and after lone
some luncheon, Gladys was seized with
the sipirt OF wanderlust.
An ornamental iron balcony was
outside the windows and Gladys was
delighted when a fat robin alighted on
the rail and cooked wary eye at her.
She cautiously opened the window for
q clearer view. thrusting out her head
to watch him flirt his wings at her
from the farthest edge. Then her eyes
fell on the next window, also looking
out on the balcony.
The next suite was occupied by 3
mysterious creature that the janitor
called a 'bookworm." and Gladys had
the liveliest curiosity concerning him.
There were two long hours yet to walt
for Maize; the next window was
temptingly near and the balcony had
q floor Of slender iron bars. In q
twinkle she was out one window and
gazing In at the next, at the cocoon,
as 1t were, Of the worm.
The walls were lined with rows and
rows Of books, and near the center,
IN front Of the fireplace. an immense
easy chair held out its arnis invitingly.
Among all those books there must
be some fairy stories. II the window
was only unfastened she wouldn't hurt
any thing by just looking. The rain
drops began to drip Off her curls, into
her eyes and down her neck. The win
dow was unlocked and Gladys stepped
into the room.
Shelf after shelf of celebrated titles
were passed over. but finally, In low
corner. she discovered a row Of shabby
volumes. "Swiss Family Robinson"
"Gulliver's Travels" Robinson Cru
soe," and another book, not quite SO
worn. Treasures From Fairyland."
Holding 1t tightly, she tiptoed over
10 the armchair for just q peep. It
seemed the worm liked chairs that
were soft and snuggly, and the perch
On its edge and peep In the book re.
suited In an ecstatic wriggling and
nesting down into the tobacco-scented
cushions, while the tall clock in the
corner licked of the minutes.
A rainy day In the city always
strained John Grayson's patience. II
seemed to draw out all the latent
cussedness in his pupils as well as to
befog their wits.
An hour later Mazie came along
with much the same thoughts In her
mind, when the wind took her umbrel.
Ia, blew her up the steps and In
through the door, which It obligingiy
damned after her. She walked soft
II from the elevator to her door to
surprise Gladys and found herself con-
fronted by q card which read: Call
Next Door," The sinking Of her heart
stopped before she knocked, for she
heard Gladys laugh. Then the door
opened and above John Grayson's
bass rose an excited treble.
sOh, Maize. I was so lonesome and
I found the loveliest book and the
worm Is aw-fly nice!"
1--WE haven't an open fire and real.
iy am cold" she pleaded. Maize knelt
down by her instantly. fondling her
hands and touching her cheek anx.
iously.
Suppose we have tea here and
toast the kiddie by the fire till bed
time and then I'll carry her home" ."
suggested John. "She surely can't
catch. cold then" he added artfully.
Some way q quiet pipe did not seem
% alluring as it had earlier In the af'
ternoon. So the table was rolled up
BY the fire and John produced crock
ery and various utensils from some
most unexpected places. Maize came
back after q short absence In her pref
y house gown. bringing with her the
plummy cake she had brought home
for tea. It was hilarious evening
and John carried homo q very happy
little girl.
wh- =. CANA hack the room