Manchester Democrat., 1920-07-07
THE WINDOW LADY
BY JOSEPHINE s. BROOKS.


house, close up to the next building. It
was always quite dark. even In day
light.
Laura Cocroft leaned her head upon
her hand.
She had little time to make new
friends. She had little money with
which to enjoy herself. When she
walked In the park she actually looked
longingly at the kiddies riding in the
swan boats; a thing she had never
done. smali as 1t seemed. aud childish
the pastime. Ii was always save, save.
Ii was growing Very dusky in the lit
tie room. After a meager supper the
girl pulled down the shade at the
window and began sorting her work by
feeble fickering gas light. 1t was
eleven o'clock before she finished
tired and discouraged with ey 3 heavy
and head weary.
1t might have, comforted her little
had she known Of the many fnrtive
glahces her window neighbor. AL MUIR.
dock. had cast across the opening at
her lowered curtain. He had caught
view of her at work, s.lhouetted on the
curtain.
Poor girl . She doesn't seem to have
many good times. Then that old jail
of room must be fearfully dingy," he
reflected, turning away from his watch
tower.
The girl, ali unconscious of SYM
pathy that would have warmed. her
heart, worked on.
Its a holiday tomorrow" she
mrsed. relief lighting UP a little the
pretty eyes. 'srhere'll be no alarm
to waken me, that's one comfort.
Guess, after breakfast and my work.
I'll take my book and lunch and spend
the day in the park. I'll watch the
kiddies and envy tliem.'
Now 1t happened that Just at this
time AL Murdock was at peace with all
the world. and a. the same time filled
with sudden philanthropy from the
fact Of raise in his salary.
"I'll stroll over to the park tomorrow
and take some OF the poor kiddies for
:"
sail in the swan boats" he declared.
Later his energetic tread sounded
sharply ON the broad stone pfAhway
across the Common.
''I'il he a kid just for today. Wonder
what the fellows would say to see me?
Whew if there isn't my Lady of the
Window. She's telling stories to
those little children. They can't be her
scholars. I'll speak to her."
al slyly kicked stone from the
path. The girl looked up with reeogni-
ton in her glance.
''They aren't your pupils, Lady Of
the Wtndow?" questioned the young
man.
mo, oh, no; pitied them-their
longing looks toward the boats. A con-
genial feeling prompted me-" she
smiled.
Il say, that's too bad pitied AL.
'Lady. there is swan boat return
ing. Will you and your retinue favor
me by accompanying me on a sail?"
AL bowed low, his face one broad
smile.
"Nfy, yes!" they all chimed.
The little girl piped up:
''The lady will be our princess and
you'll be the prince. Us four II be
fairies; then wen play it's truly
fairy boat"
He slowed the children on the rear
seat retaining Laura for himself.
With lrany "ohs" from the little ones
they circled the pond and little islands
Of sand and shrubs.
AL felt repaid by the warm glow at
his heart. He escorted Laura to her
very door.
"Well repeat the good time some
day. Shall we?' he questioned.
"You are most kind to lone girl.
Yes. shall dearly love to go" she re-
piled caHdidly.
It proved but the beginning of better
times for the girl. Even the drudgery
of night work was ightened by
vision Of merry eyes cleaning across
her papers
Instead Of glances across the OPEN
ing there were talks and smiles on the
inside Of Laura's room. Al even
helped her with her papers.
One night Laurn's house Of cards |
fell-her pleasant dream was over for
as she raised her curtain she saw
shadowed on the opposite window two
forms embracing each other and actu-
ally kissing! A stylish girl at. that.
She lowered the curtain and dropped
into chair.
She sat there while then went sad
ly to bed.
1--WE had my salary raised again,
dear Lady of the Window" confided
AL, one evening long after. They were
such close friends now.
II saw the dearest bungalow today.
1t was inviting young couples pres
ence. Can you imagine for whom 1t Is
waiting?"
.'There isn't dark room In it. !
asked them to hold 1t until tomorrow.
Shall engage it?"
aFor-for you and the other Lady
of Your Window" she trembled. Il
Il think it would be best--rooms are
so scarce, you know, especially sunny
ones"
There's no other Lady Of the Win
dow but you-there never will be, |
dear" assured the young man.
"But-once saw the shadow of
of you and another girl, and you
you" she faltered and stopped.
The young man burst into laugh |
of relief. "Why, that's my sister,
hadn't seen her since she was married