The Press., 1920-01-08
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By MARIA M. CALLAHAN.

tCOpyrISnt, 1919, Mcclure newspaper syn
 dicate)
 The sky was a Ieaden gray and the rain came down with the quiet per sistency of a hoplessly wet day. War wick Chambers had it's 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 or the citv'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 l life Today for the first time the lit tie girl was left alone, for feverish i 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 lone some luncheon, Gladys was seized with the sipirt of wanderluSt
 An ornamental iron balcony was outside the windows and Gladys was delighted when a fat robin ali@hted on l the rail and cooked a wary eye at her. i She cautiously opened the window for i a clearer view, thruSting out her head i to watch him flirt his wings at her from the farthest edge. Then her eyes fell on the next window, also looking l out on the balcony
 The next suite was occupied by I mysterious creature that the janitor called "bookWornl," and Gladys had i the lveliest curiosity concerning him. 1 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 1 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 it's arms invitingly.
 Among all those books there must be some fairy stories. If the window was only unfaStenGI 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 Eut finally, in a low corner, she discovered row of shabby volumes. Swiss Family Robinson | "Gulliver's Travels" "RObnsOn Cru soe," and another book, not quite SC worn, "Treasurca From Fairyland.' Holding it tightly, she tiptOed over to the armchair for just a peep. II seemed the worm liked chairs that were soft and snuggly and the perct on it's edge and peep in the book re- suited in an ecstatic Wrigging and nestling down into the tobacco-scenteC cushions, while the tall clock in the corner ticked off the minutes.
 A rainy day in the city always strained John GraysOn's patience. I seemed to draw out all the laten cussedness in his pupils as well as tt befOg their wits.
 An hour later Magic came along Nllll lllltll lllC SftiIlc lllOuSlllS III lIcl mind when the wind took her umbrel la. blew her up the steps and il through the door, which 1t obligingl. slammed after her. She walked soft Iy from the elevator to her door tt surprise Gladys and found herself con frontCd by a card which read: "Cal Next Door," The sinking of her hear i stopped before she knocked, for sh heard Gladys laugh. Then the doc | opened and above John GraysOn' bass rose an excited treble.
 "Oh. Magic, was so lonesome ant found the Iovelipst book and tn worm ;N aW-hy nice."
 eve haven't an open fire and real Iy am cold" she pleaded. Mazie knel down by her instantly, fondling he hands and touching her cheek anx iOusly.
 Suppose we have tea here an, toast the kdde by the fire till be time and then I'll carry her home, suggested John. "She surely can catch cold then," be added artfullS Some way a quiet pipe did not seer so aluring as it had earlier in the at ternoon. So the table was rolled u by the fire and John produced crock cry and various utensils from som most unexpected places. Magic cam back after a short absence in her pret ty house gown, bringing with her tn nlumnlv cake she had brought hOm for tea It was a hilarious evenin and John carried home a very hnpp little girl.
 When he came back the rool seemed very empty. Reaching fo his pipe he sat before the fire a lon time. picturing Magic opposite hil again i'll her soft blue gown.
 It WIS. of course, necessary to ir quirr after the invalid's health neX day. Prom that it was easy to Sl into intimate ncighbOrly relations es ppciAlly a$ Gladys appropriated hr as her oNn particular property. Tie Juhn's evenings at home began to D given more to reverie than to stud and he developed also a curious ir ability to pass a florist shop
 One late afternOon he stopped a Maz;e's door with d tall sheaf of rose and found her alone playing softly i the twilight. Such propiti0uS circun StAncps were immediately improve nv In,n and the "bleSspd little word wus his answer. When Gladys can rompiny in later Johns roses W"i' 'Iuon'ing srhntelN on the piMnu. h'I ~>Wuvfrr ruHrS bluumrh in Ai: Hte' .,! I;r