The Press., 1920-01-22

Copyright. 1919 by the Western News
 paper Unisn.)
 John Burt, a lonely man, except for the company of an aged mother, came down the spiral staircase at the top story of the city hall and started for home. As he took one elevator down, another reached the top floor and a young woman left it. She was far more lonely than lie. Wretchedness showed in her face and her eyes roved about her like those of hunted being seek ing refuge.
 She was Lucy Newton, and ever since she could remember until recent ly she had lived in a lonely old house in dead country town, a drudge to cross grained eXacting relative. When the latter had died Lucy had come to the city. For days she had walked the streets. seeking work but finding none FoOtSOre, weary, hungry, despairing she had been told to pre- sent her case to the free employment bureau at the city hall, to find the offices closed. It was chill outside and the building was warm welcome shelter.
 "I must rest for a little tinc," she murmured brokcnly, came to tn@ spiral staircase. noticed landing hAlf way up, sat down on it's broad surface, dropped utterly exhausted, and was soon fast asleep.
 "Why, What is this?" came to her confused hearing twelve hours later, and she sat up and blinkeI at the light of new morning. John Burt small parcel under his arm, stared down strangely at the haggard, frightened refugee.
 'T-I was very tired" stammered Lucy. T had no place to go. It was warm here-I meant no harm"
 "You have done nonc." Burt quickly answered her in the kndlieSt nf tones. "Wat until I unlock tn" door" and he stepped past her. "Come in and rest a bit"
 Lucy stared vaguely. Her host had opened the door of a queer tUrret shaped room, the entire upper half of which was framed in glass Over hundred feet below was the street. A out. She could not Surm:Sc the object or utility of this marrow apartment.
 "ThS is the Crow'S Nest. as it is called" explained Burt, "and I am it's keeper employed by the city to note smoke violations watch. specify and report the same There is a comfort able arm chair"
 h liI.ll was a small oil stove. He lit it and took down a coffee pot from a shelf. opened the parcel he had carried and as his guest sat staring dreAmily from the lofty eerie, placed on stand at her elbow a stcamn@ cup of coffee and his nconday lunch.
 He left his guest to herself as he | set about his usual duties. With a | telescope he swung the circle of his | tower room. When he noted some fac | tory chimney pouring out smoke he l would consult chart. clock, and 1 finally write upon a tab such records | as: Brown and Company, plant | smoked for seventeen minutes. Apnar- entlv use low grade fuel, with no | smoke consumer" Glancing toward | the girl he noted that she had fallen | asleep in her chair. She aWOke about noon. all pmbarras ssment over q sense of intrusion upon the time and atten- tion of a perfect stranger. She arose. words of gratitude upon her lips. and tears came she broke down utterly. and then, as Burt gently questioned her. all the eOmbpr story of her lonely life came out.
 "pCor chiId," he commented, and his hand rested like benison upon her bowed head You indeed need a friend. and I know where to find you one I have an old mother who will he | glad as myself to shelter you as a well | come visitor. until you are more able | to cope with a cold. heartless worId.'' The aged mother of John Burt wei | hearted woman c0U!d do. It was well | rhat Lucy had fallen into such friend | ly hands. for she had an attack of | fever lasting for over two weeks. One | evening during her convaleScence she heard mother and son discussing | their HffHirS.
 "YcS. I feel I shall have 10 give UT my position" Hurt was saying. "The | doctor directs that I must rest my eyes completely for SIX months. It has got SO that I rHnn"t lncat" the smoke not even witlL>th" telescope"
 A wave of infinite love swept over the mind of Lucy as she realized how much she owed to these good kin( people. She @ld"G into the adjoining room and approached the grave-face( Burt and his anxious mother.
 ''Oh. Mir Burt" she pleaded, 'lct me he your eyes until you are all wei agaiI-let me labor for you day ant night. if it is necessary. to show yol how my soul prizes your helpfuneSs your kindness. and that of your moth or for homeless, friendless orphan girl. '"
 Lucy was duly installed in tho Crows Nest directed by Burt, bu
 quickly becoming expert in her task
 It was like a new drcam-life to the poor waf-thc glory of far vision Ove
 the world below. the peace of thOs, beautiful evenings in the little home
 She had never had a love experience
 until roN'. Burt had long since settled
 down into the conviction that he wa
 destined to remain a bachelor. Wha
 could come about, save that these twt
 so strar gely drifted together should
 unite tl:eir longin@ souls in mutua ic|p Su sweet, SC l,. '';. V" that Tiff
 h; canlt tU Il em " e!