The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-01-15
ROSES
BY JACK LAYTON.

puckered In a frown, which vanished
as her gaze fell upon neatly paint
ed sign. Home for Women En-,
ployed," the sign read. Terms Very
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 a pris-
orer may feel beneath the judicial
eye. AS coldly searching was the ma
irons inspection OF her own small fig
ure.
You came" the woman asked, "in
the interest of an applicant TO the
homer"
81 am the applicant" the girl re-
piled.
The experienced one stared.
You will pardon me-" she said
brusquely; 1--WE are not accustomed to
receive girls who are able TO pay for
lodging elsewhere. This home is en-
lowed and for those only in the hum
DleSt circumstances.
a." 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 I
call her on the telephone"
Presently the woman looked up from
her quest.
Miss Page is not at home" she
said, land l am not sure that 1 would
be justified in accommodating you, I'M
der the circumstances. Our rule is"
A CHEEKY young person coming from
an inner sewing room smiled.
"Oh! what night, Mrs. Smith," she
coaxed. LET her stay. She can bunk
with ne. They's two beds in my
room. Anyway, it's cold out, and even
II the lady's clothes are swell, maybe
she hasn't real money"
Mrs. Smith regarded the volunteer
samaritan indulgently.
THAT spirit Of yours, Hedda," she
said, would take In the whole town.
The glance she bestowed upon the
waiting applicant was softened
Your name, them" she asked.
jamie Leslie" the cir! answered.
Gratefully her eyes sought those Of
her intercessor
"All right" Hedda ended the inter-
view; come with me, and I'll show
you our CELL"
The name was f1ttingly given, jamie
Leslie thought, as she entered the mar
row sleeping room, with its barest ne
cessities for comfort. But between
Hedda's little bed and the one she her
self was to occupy stood on the cells
one chair a great vase of roses, all In
crimson bloom, in snow time.
The new guest bent her face de-
lightedly to the flowers.
TITS like life" she said to Hedda.
"1n life's hardest, most unlikely places
we come upon roses of comfort, like
your kindness tonight to me, a
stranger"
"Oh, that was nothing" gestured
Hedda. you were down on your
luck. Mebbe tomorrow you'll be up
again. But me-" Hedda shrugged re-
signedly, I'm down all the time"
Tell me-" said jamie Leslie, i'm
pulsively.
"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 a Job in the basement
at Kahilrs that keeps me here, all
right, but 1 can't do what 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 IT. / got Tad a job driving q
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. 1--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
being greeted by that young person
when he arrived in his Office.
"Jane Page!" he cried, where have
you been?"
"SpendingNthe night at the Home
for Women Employed" she answered
sweetly. ut was not In search Of ad-
venture this time, Billy" she FASTENED
ITO add at his frown Of disapproval. 81
came to the city last night with money
In my change purse alone. When
searched my bag found that I had
forgotten to drop my pOcketbook in.
Just as I decided to call you on the
phone that sign doomed up, reckoning
me, Billy, a direct message. I went