The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1920-07-14
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ACROSS the ROOF
. BY JACK LAWIoN. 49,.

Copyright. 1915. Western Newspaper Union.)

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Copyright. 1915. Western Newspaper Union.)
High up, at the. back of the shabb
old mansion, Dora began her caree
as an artist. And when the big rente
room seemed unusually bare, Dora
with Ter. happy sanguine spirit, con
grntulated herself upon its 'sky-light
There were days. however. when tn
skylightlight failed to compensate.
When these reflections threatened
10; overcome her, Dora would aris'
briskly to light the rose shaded lninl
which was her comfort. -. "a d.
"Sllly," she would reprove herself
"gloo1ning away, while those SAM
young people are envying your nppar
ent royal road to fame and fortune
you should be grateful, my dear, crate
ful as can be, that you can sell
sketches enough to almost pay you
lodging" 81
St Dora did not mention payment Of
food. Sometimes Dora's food was moi
worth mentioning. Paper bag meals
as rule, when she finished her draw.
ings; a dinner or two as celebration
when the checks came In. And SO,
working feverishly, saving much heat
ing, saving altogether too much food.
It was not strange that the ambitious
girl awakened one morning to find
herself iii, on the camOuflaged bed.
which passed day times as gorgeous
couch. q,
Dora wondered weakly, concerning
the problem Of meals which she would
be unable to prepare, then gave up the
problem in long and dreamless sleep.
When again her gray eyes opened
shadows stretched across the room,
while over the sloping roof beneath
her window. came stream Of light
from an opposite apartment.
Dora liked to look into the brilliant
rooms Of this luxurlously appointed
apartment building towering above the
old shabby house. Almost it was like
gazing upon the stage of a theater,
gaily dressed women passing to and
fro. men too. idling about the long,
smoking room. One who came and
went among them had the appearance
Of q distinguished actor.
Dora liked his fresh fine youthful
face beneath its crown of strangely
white hair. y.
& Suddenly from the graveled roof be-
meath her window, round and furry
ball came leaping over the sill. Dsra
leaned forward listening. until with a
coaxing whine small white dog stood
beside her cot, putting forth friend
~ paw.
Delightedly. the girl caught the ami
NAL in her arms.
.s''You dear little thing" she muir.
INJURED, then all Mt once Dora's arms
lay still. s
!. Anxiously the dogs moist nose
shifted inquiringly at her white out.
stretched arms, once or twice an eng
er tongue Tapped at her unresponsive
face, then back over the sill and across
the roof rushed the furry body. .
The handsome man Of the white
hair had just settled himself for an
evening smoke. Before lowering the
window shade he had looked across
the roof toward window that was
darkened, and when he leaned back
In his chair it was as with an air OF
disappointment.
"You rascal" he greeted the dog
which scrambled painting to his knee.
i''playing truant again, eh?''
II But Fluff was In no mood for pet
ting. Fiercely she caught at the mans
sleeve, running few steps from him
she ;barked back appealingly.
Z. "What the dickens" frOwned the
man, it was evident that the dog was
entreating him to follow.
Doctor Wilton decided to obey the
animals within. His mothers raising
of Fluff had made the little creature
In some ways almost human.
4 The doctor followed through tho
French door to the apartment roof. He
hesitated as Fluff bounded across that
other roof, then whlmsically continued
the chase.
!. Disappearing over the sill of Dora's
window the dog still Enthusiastically
called to him from inside.
{. In that one. shaft Of light. the doctor
saw a girls white upturned face-the
girls face-he caught his breath. How
often he had seen the same sweet
features framed in the old house VIM
dow.
When the doctor lighted the gas,
Dora raised slowly her dark fringed
Nds.
= Anything to eat today?" he asked,
his fingers on her pulse.
II was too much trouble to reply 50
the young artist shook her head.
J; "Or yesterday" asked the doctor.
4 Dora smiled wanly. Yesterday Is
too far away to remember" Her eyes
fell upon the now joyous Fluff.
"Oh!" she murmured,. "you came for
your dog. He visits me sometimes. |
You don't mind?"
The man smiled down upon her.
"He was even nicer" Dora consId-
cred, "when he smiled" It was strange
that she had learned his face so well.
10 rS,o Oh L