Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1920-01-08
PAULA'S WAY
BY AGNES q. DRooAN.
AS9S1SSeSe9Se 99esg


tCopyrisht. lsss. wssssra Newspaper ua,oa,
Paula. drawing the curtains Of her
studio window on . rainy evening
looked down with q wistful smile into
the street. Her tall lonely ue,ghbor
was striding along through the storm
TO the house doorway. his soft hat
shedding tiny rivulets Of water. vari-
Gus paper bundles beneath one arm be-
tokening his bachelor supper.
The girl turned with q sigh to the
cosy comfort Of her womanly appoint.
ed room. the rose.colored light OF the
shaded lamp. the blazing logs on tho
hearth-of what had been an old-time
mansion.
Now the great house was given over
| tosworkers In the world Of business. 4
doctors ONCE here. a dentists there,
and on this particular high door.
studios Of various kinds.
Paula's own particular realm was a
music studio" She had come to the
teeming city with high ambition. She
would be one Of the great musicians Of
the day-and now little Paula had
grown to be content with her lot a
humble Instructor.
The classes which came at regular
hours provided her with this small
home and the necessities Of life, and
though the career Of brilliant promise
faded. still there was much to bring
her Joy. She loved every child who
climbed the steep stairs to receive her
instruction. She loved the old Irish
woman who came to clean up morn.
ings. Paula had even . smile for tho
crotchety janitor.
Every soul In the old building loved
Paula. 40 how could the young illus.
traitor escape who moved In across the
hall1 After he realized the Intense
enjoyment the girls society gave him.
Jack Lanse determinedly denied him.
self from II Who was he. in his self
imposed poverty. that he might seri.
ously care for any woman1 Marriage
was a. hopeless In his present circum.
stances ~ his chosen career was prov.
Ing to be.
It was just ~ his shrewd, tiresome
old uncle had prophesied-if Jack per.
sisted In depending upon his drawings
~ . means Of livelihood he would b
disappointed. Jack was disappointed !;
but still doggedly determined in his
profession. He would 30 an illustra.
tor. He knew that It was In him, 20
the preferred place In his uncle's bust.
ness concern was refused, and Jack
himself brought to the cold reality OF
self-prepared meals In Z sky.lightsd
| room.
His room looked unusually cherries
this rainy evening a. he hung wide
the door. when suddenly an opposite
door opened asd In the lamplight stood
the giri. against whom he had resolved
to close his heart.
Poor Jacket" she said whimsicaily.
AL wet and cold. You'd better come
In by my IRE while yours h heating m.
And tell me. any luck todayr"
"Thanks." Jack began stiniy. II win
be all right here
you won't" interrupted Paula de-
cidedly. land can't afford to let you
ran the risk Of taking cold. Who would
look after you II you were sickf No
one but ms-and I'm too busy"
paula, Paula I" mufmured Jack ten.
derly. and smiled as.he yielded.
There might be an opening with
Browns Magazine" he told her, seated
before the blazing logs. ,''if I could
keep things going until / got my start.
Jove! II only urNc would give me 4
part Of that legacy before he dies. I'm
10 Tor the whole thing, you know, and
I'm not wishing on dead men. But
| now"
Paula nodded understandingiy.
II know" she said. ''it's like old
Aunt Riah. I'm to be Aunt Riah's heir
some day. In the meantime she ignores
my existence and ] have to play scales
for my dinner"
The man rose abruptly.
paula" he said. "Tm going to i've
mp this striving for-what thought I
wanted most In the world. You zee, I
want you now more than any career :
I'm going to work."
"DOn't." the girl begged OF him.
"Wait Jackie. wait-awhile. I could
not let you give up such promise.
You've got to succeed with your tai.
ent."
For days after II was the girl who
avoided her lover. The irish woman
told Jack At last that Paula had rome
away. She would be back. she said
very soon. Then II was that the unbs-
lievahle happened: To Jack came IN
order for i've thousand dollars signed
BY his uncle's solicitor.
The lawyer stated that the donor
wished to remain unknown. Jack
chuckled gieefully. This was his
uncie's way. hs reflected. Of silently
Yielding the point.
Jack could scarcely wait for Paula's
return, and when she came. his I'm
perious woolng brushed al objection
aside.
They were married In the smusic.l
studio" with the old Irish woman and
the grim Janitor ~ witnesses.
When It was all over Paula lifted