The Cordova daily times., 1920-02-02

NEIGHB0RS
By MARIA M. CALLAHAN.

rain came down with tke quiet per- sistency of hoplessly wet day. War wick Chambers had its gay red and white awnings tightly furled, present. ing orderly rows of windows for the heavens to wash. Against one of these windows a childish face was pressed gazing disapprovingly out on the sod den landscape.
 About a month before, May Dutton had been offered a position in one of the city's commercial schools. As the mortgage on the old homestead was to be foreclosed, the little teacher gladly accepted and, with her small sister, had faced the ordeal of city life. Tcday for the first time the lit tie girl was left alone, for a feverish cold had kept her from school. Magic had promised to come home as soon as class was dismissed, but the hours dragged dreadfully, and after a lone some luncheon, Gladys was seized with the sipirt of wanderlust.
 An ornamental iron balcony was outside the windows and Gladys was delighted when fat robin alighted on the rail and cooked a wary eye at her. She cautiously opened the window for clearer view, thructing out her head to watch him flirt his wings at her from the farthest edge. Then her eyes fell on the next window, also looking out on the balcony.
 The next suite was occupied by q mysterious creature that the janitor called "bookworm," and Gladys had the liveliest curiosity concerning him. There were two long hours yet to wait for Mazie the next window was temptingly near and the balcony had a floor of slender iron bars. In a twinkle she was out one window and gazing in at the next, at the cocoon, as it were, of the worm
 The walls were lined with rows and rows of books, and near the center. in front of the fireplace. an immense easy chair held out its arms invitingly.
 Among all those books there must be some fairy stories. If the window was only unfastened she wouldn't hurt any thing by just looking The rain- drops began to drip off her curls, into her eyes and down her neck The win dow was unlocked and Gladys stepped Into the room.
 Shelf after shelf of celebrated titles were passed over, but finally in low corner she discovered row of shabby volumes. Swiss Family Robinson" "Gulliver's Travels" Robinson Cru soe." and another book, not quite so worn, Treasures From Fairyland." Holding it tightly, she tiptoed over to the armchair for just a peep. It seemed the worm liked chairs that were soft and snuggly, and the perch on its edge and a peep in the book re- suited in an ecstatic wriggling and nestling down into the tobacco scented cushions, while the tall clock in the corner ticked off the minutes.
 A rainy day in the city always strained John Grayson's patience. It seemed to draw out all the latent cussedness in his pupils as we'll as to befog their wits.
 An hour later Magic came alonp with much the same thoughts in her mind, when the wind took her umbrel- Ia, blew her up the steps and in through the door, which it obligingly slammed after her. She walked soft ly from the elevator to her door to surprise Gladys and found herself con- fronted by card which read: Gall Next Door," The sinking of her heart stopped before she knocked, for she heard Gladys laugh. Then the door opened and above John Grayson's bass rose an excited treble.
 "Oh, Magic, I was so lonesome and l found the loveliest book and the worm IS aw-fly nice!'
 We haven't an open fire and real- ly am cold" she pleaded. Mazie knelt down by her instantly, fondling her hands and touching her cheek anx- iously.
 Suppose we have tea here and toast the kiddie by the fire till bed time and then I'll carry her home" suggested John. "She surely can't catch cold then" he added artfully. Some way quiet pipe did not seem so aluring as it had earlier in the af- ternOOn. So the table was rolled up by the fire and John produced crock cry and various utensils from some most unexpected places. Magic came back after a short absence in her pret- ty house gown, bringing with her the p1ummy cake she had brought home for tea. It was hilarious evening and John carried home a very happy little girl.
 When he came back the room seemed very empty. Reaching for his pipe he sat before the fire a long time, picturing Mazie opposite him again in her soft blue gown.
 1.yoo oP on,,rua ronoecorr fo }n