The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1920-05-08
A TAG DAY
ROMANCE
By JESSIE E. sHERWIN


and well fitting showed signs of mend
Ing and wear. stood at the corner OF
two busy streets, cardboard in one
hand, white carnation in the other.
She was forlornly sad as to face and
eyes, staring vaguely at smiling,
pleasant lady who was one of the tag
gers The latter had noted her de-
pressed manner and on some inten-
tive impulse of kind heartedness had
approached her with motherly inter-
est and had said:
"You must wear the insignia of the
day, dear. l know you are one of us
In sentiment"
And then the true lady unobtrusive-
ly placing flower and card into the
girls hands, mingled with the crowd
seeking real subscribers.
The tears came into the eyes of Yer
Dr. Lund. Amid her loneliness be-
ming act of consideration meant much.
but II emphasized the dreariness and
restitution that faced her. Out OF
work. a stranger in a strange city, she
had been compelled that morning to
give up the cheap little room she oc-
cupied. she was faint and weak.
Help the good causew hailed a
brisk. CHEEKY voice. and the distracted
yerda felt tag and flower drawn from
her clasp and bank note substituted.
Bewilderedly she looked up to note
a smiling. genial young man. For a
moment he seemed quite magnetized
by her sorrowful, but soulful eyes.
They transmitted to her a strange i'm
pressive thrill.
81 won't forget that lovely face in a
hurry" he spoke to companion.
"Oh, waitl watt" cried yerda.
you have made a mistake" but the
surging crowd had swallowed up the
two men.
Almost stupidity she stood gazing at
the dollar note There was waited
from q near restaurant a tantalizing
Whit Of food. She turned towards II
almost fiercely. Then she ran away
fsm the temptation. She pushed aside
~ jsstilng multitude. staring ahead
to tn and discover some tagger to
whom she could deliver the dollar. She
battled her way even more strenuous
~. Ahead she made out the young
man who had given her the money
Finally she neared him. She put out
q hand to halt him. He was airily
sweeping his lips with the sweet
flower.
"Oh, pleased" painted verda, extend
ing the bank note. Il am not a tag
ger. I had no right to take It,"
There she wavered, there sudden
film came across her vision. She
swayed weakly. Bryan Latham
caught her in his arms as conscious
ness deserted her.
do not move, DEAR" spoke gen.
tie womanly voice many hours later
and verda stared vaguely about her
She lay upon a couch In the rest room
Of an office building. A screen was
sst across a corner of the apartment
~ the matron stood regarding her
vftA . smile. "Wnl you not tell me
something about yourselfT she asked.
And verda told her all Of her power
~. Of the flower and tag and of her
temptation to assuage her hunger.
The matron wound sympathizing
arm about her. There were tears of
tenderness and pity In her eyes. She
went away and returned with server
containing dainty. but strengthening
repast. the first food Of which verda
had psrtaken for night. and day.
TT was Mr.. Latham who left you
hare the woman told her, "a true
kind-heerted gentleman. If there ever
was one. He was very anxious and in
terssted. He seemed to surmise that
you were IN trouble. He has telephoned
twice about you and wishes you to re-
main here until business hours are
over
II am Nr. Latham's sister," inter
rupted n intruding voice. and we'll
dressed lady appeared just beyond the
edge Of the screen. as this the young
LADY my brother told me about? He
tslsphoned me and If can be of any
ssrvice to you let me be your friend"
She was married and had family
of two little children, and when the
matron had taken her aside and talked
with her In low tones Mrs. Warner
returned to the side of verda.
"You poor friendless dover" she
murmured, kissing her. 1--WE are GO
Ing to mend some Of the injustice of
LIE that has fallen to your lot. My
auto Is below and when you are strong
enough to accompany me, we Will soon
have You under roof where you
must welcome long, perfect rest"
verda Lund retired that night the
guest Of true souled woman with
plsfKQ Of spare for those she could
1AlA and glad to bestow it. She did
44t nRntioa her brother until several
~ onr, and by mat dina her little
80 ~ ieAlnen to idolize the stran
ge vAsss grxtftude and Joy made her
leve he whole world.
~unhHwx~-ewoyx, n~...~