Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-04-02

Wv WIN the quiet per
S'S'ehcE OF a hopleSsly wet day. War
WICK Chambers had IFS goy rcd and
White awnings tightly furle,l. present.
ing orderly rows of windows for the
heavens to wash. Against one Of thoso
windows childish face was pressed
gazing disapprovingly out ON the sod
den landscape.
ABOUT a month before May Dutton
hsd been offered a position In one of
the city's commercial schools Ae tn.
mortgage on the old homestead was
20 De toreclosed the little teacher
gladly accepted and, with her small
SISTER, had faced the ordeal of citv
iiIe. Today for the first time the III
tie girl was left alone, for fevarish
coiu had Kept her from school. Maize
nae promised to come home as soon no
class was dismissed, hut the hours
dragged dreadfully, and after lone.
some luncheon, Gladys was seized with
the spirit of wandermst.
An ornamental iron balcony was
outside the windows and GLADYS was
uelghted when fat robin alighted IN
the rail- and cooked wary eve at her.
one cautiously opened the window for
a clearer view. thrusting out her head
TO watch him flirt his wings at her
from the farthest edge. Then her eyes
Tell on the next window, also looking
out on the balcony.
The next suite was Occunied NV ,
mysterious creature that the ianitor
called 'bookworm" and Gladys had
the liveliest curiosity concerning him.
There were two long hours vet to wait
TOT Maize; 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 1t We're 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.
Soc" and another book, not quite so
worn, Treasures From Fairyland."
Holding it tightly, she tiptoed over
to the armchair for just 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
nesting down into the tobacco-scented
cushions. while the tall clock In the
corner licked off the minutes.
rainy day in the city always
strained John Grayson's patience. It
seemed to draw out all the latent
cussedness in his pupils as well as TO
befog their wits.
An hour later Maize came along
with much the same thoughts in her
mind, when the wind took her umbrel-
la, blew her up the steps and in
through the door. which it obigingly
slammed after her. she walked soft
Iy from the elevate" to her door to
surprise Gladys and found herself con-
fronted by a card which read: Call
| 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 Maize, | was so lonesome and
found the loveliest book and the
worm is aw-fly nice!"
1--WE haven't an open fire and real
ly am cold" she pleaded. Maize 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 he'd
! time and then I'll carry her home"
suggested John. "She surely can't
catch cold then" he added artfully.
Some way a quiet pipe did not seem
so alluring 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. Maize came
back after a short absence in her pref
/ ty house gown. bringing with her the
plummy cake she had brought home
! for tea. 1t was a hilarious evening
and John carried home very happy
little girl
When he came back the room
seemed very empty. Reaching for
his pipe he sat before the fire long
/ time. picturing Maize opposite him
again in her soft blue gown.
II was. of course, necessary to IN
ouire after the lnvaIid's health next
day. From that II was easy to slip
into intimate neighhorly relations. es-
pecially as Gladys appropriated him
ms her own particular property. Then