Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-03-24
FRONT AND REAR {
BY JANE DARLINGTON.
a 20 % % % % % % oc

"
GO, 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicats.)
Ethel watched her piano being
hoisted to the fourth floor with eyes
that sparkled their JOY. For two years
the precious instrument had been in
the storage house while its owner
worked for sufficient money to get it
out and insure years study.
Now with a clear year ahead and
a small part In q musical comedy as
well as lease on the quiet if small
room on the fourth floor rear, Ethel
felt security she had not known for
many long day.
Her piano. because it could not be
carried up the stairs, had to be hofsted
into the front room and thence to her
back one through more or less com
pick arrangement of doors. After fu-
tile struggle these doors baked firmly
at further progress of the piano. 1t
was then Ethel felt the tragedy Of her
position.
There was her piano in strangers
room and refusing to 90 into her own.
Either 1t must stay where 1t was or
go back to storage.
Ethel did the only thing woman
can do when she is driven quite be-
yond her strength of endurance.
She sat down on her piano stool and
wept.
1t was at that psychological moment
that the stranger and owner of the
room appeared upon the scene.
He viewed the picture with appre-
hensive eyes, then asked what 1t was
all about.
The information was volunteered
by one of the movers.
"The young lady's piano amt 60
in into her room through them doors.
1t wouldn't go up the stairs, and we
had to hoist it through this here room.
She feels kinda sore about It."
Il would say she did," sympathized
Tom Cheney, and the fellow-feeling
softening in his voice brought on a
heavier set of sobs. But Ethel looked
up through the well of tears and Tom
found himself gazing into most won
derful pair of eyes.
Tom motioned the men that he
would take charge Of this beauty in
distress and they fled out
"Now," said Tom cheerily, "when
the showers are over let's have a chat
about it and see what can be done"
Ethel vouchsafed him the rarest of
smiles.
There's n-nothing to b-be d-done,"
she affirmed, trying to bring the show
er to a stop.
"0h, yes, there is" said Tom, "you
might drape your furniture around the
piano here and shift my junk into the
other room, or you can just leave the
piano here and use 1t as your own
room. / travel lot and my room is
vacant sometimes six days out of the
week"
"Oh, that wouldn't be decent" Ethel
opened wide but hopeful eyes full on
Tom so that he nearly lost his breath.
"And / can't possibly pay the rent for
the front room, good as it is of you to
offer to change"
Decent nothing" scolded Tom. 81
will telephone you every time / expect
to burden this room with my presence
and you can skip so that we need
never come in the slightest contact
with one another"
my entire future is at stake" she
told him. 81 have worked to get my
piano out of storage and have secured
small part in musical comedy, but
l absolutely must keep my voice up.
The manager has promised me SPLEEN
did part with exquisite songs If / will
just bring out certain tones in my
voice. You see-there was a reason
for-the showers"
81 should just say there was" Tom
agreed heartily.
"Well--since I cannot possibly pay
the highest rent for the front room,
and II you were perfectly sure my
piano won't be In your way"
Ethel laughed happily straight into
Toms eyes. "And you will always
telephone me to go to my own room
when you are coming homer"
UNLESS 1 want you to go some
where else" said Tom.
Ethel dropped the heavy fringe of
lashes that were soon to know the
weight of cosmetics.
Then we can consider everything
settled?" she questioned, rising.
"Pretty near everything" Tom said,
then boldly, II would like 1t settled
that / am to see you safely away from
the stage door every night-that is,
unless there is some one else"
A flush stole into Ethel's cheeks
Il would appreciate that fully as much
as your letting my piano remain here"
she told him.
That, too, was settled then and in
his minds eye Tom could also see the
front and rear rooms being most de,
lightful little honeymoon fiat.