The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-03-25
A Boarding House
Romance
BY FRANCES MAY

(G, lSzl, py Mctlure Ns"bpApef oyhuiS@te''
A strong odor of vegetable soup
and boiled fish assailed Eleanor
Deans nostrils us she stepped into
the narrow hallway of the boarding
house. She knew by the distant sound
of chairs grating upon the thinly-car-
peted floor of the basement dining
room that the boarders were already
assembling about the long table to
begin that solemn and most important
meal Of the day-dinner.
Fastening upstairs to her little
fourth-story room, the girl hurriedly
rearranged her thick, dark hair and
slipped into cool lawn dress, ap-
peaAing In the dining room just rs the
last soup plate was being removed.
With one exception, everybody was
breathlessly watching Mrs. Frazer,
the landlady, serve the fish, and lit
tie heed was paid to the girls en-
trance beyond perfunctory "Good
evening" The exception, hand
some young Frenchman, who sat in
the relative position on Mrs. Frasers
right that Eleanor occupied on her
left, looked up smilingly and said
'Good evening" cordially and with a
decided accent.
ut is warm" suggested the young
man.
"very warm" assented Eleanor.
mo warmer than 1t was at this
time last year,. asserted a large
forid gentleman aggressively.
THAT don't make 1t cool now
Franklin snapped his wife. II won
der whether you will find it cool In
France when you go back, Mr.. LIE Wis
confer" she questioned, turning to the
Frenchman.
Eleanor raised her eyes quickly ant
glanced across at her vis-a-yls.
"Are you going to France, Mr.. Ii
Vlsconte?" she asked.
"Why, hasn't he told your" eX
claimed Mrs. Franklin, significantly
II should think he would have toll
you at once! We were all TALKING
about it just before you came down
stairs. 1t seems odd that you haven
heardln
Miss Deans great, dark eyes opene'
very wide for am instant and stare
colby into Mrs. Franklins little blu
ones. Then she turned away and re
| sumed her dinner and the Frenchlnn
said suavely:
| "Why, what need had I to 5nfor
Miss Dean when Mrs. Franklin Is her
to speak for me? l go, Miss Dean, t
France, yes; but today only ! knoN
It; have told Mrs. Frazer this aftel
noon and she has told all zese goo
people this evening. 1t is quick,
1t mott"
every quick" responded the cir
"and very unexpected, isn't itT
-"Most on-expectedw
Mrs. Franklin's tiny eyes searche
the girls face curiously.
81 should think you would mis-
Mr.. LIE Visconte," she said.
81 shall, indeed"
1.-THE young man glanced grateful
at her. "You are the only one VIII
has so expressed herself" said HI
smiling.
| "And you will miss him all tn
more because he's going for good
continued the lady, with emphasis
'For good !" exclaimed Eleano
"Ah--yes--well, perhaps he will CON
back and visit America some day."
II will surely come" said LIE vi
conte. Then there was silence an
the girl felt herself the object of G.
vert scrutiny.
"Will you go for walk with nj
Franklin and me-. Miss Dean?" aske
Mrs. Franklin, as the dreary mel
terminated.
| "Thank you, have had haf
day at the office and am too tired
was the response. Goodnight
and Eleanor went. upstairs to he
room, and sat down at the windo
that looked out upon the. backs of
row Of tenement houses, resting HI
cheek YEARLY upon her hand.
"What dreary place this city
for woman TO come to alone y 81
said half aloud. 1T will be worse |
and BY" and then with an attemptt
laugh, "What a goose am. III g
out of this stuffy room into the air
Putting on her hat, she siippe
downstairs and out Of the house. III
air was sultry and oppressive and Il
pavement seemed to radiate hes
Swarms of insects futtered about Il
electric lights. Everywhere rose Il
incessant hum Of voices and the ra
tie OF wheels and clang of troll,
bells; and over all hung a cloudle
sky, with a half OF silver moon
its midst.
n Eleanor had turned into a quiet
street where she could walk mo
comfortably, when quick f0otst,
sounded behind her and a voice
her elbow said:
.'Aiiss Dean pardonl r. and turnil
( her head, she saw lie Viseonte. M
4 / walk with your he asked.
She did not reply at once; he hi
startled her and the beating of h
heart seemed to choke her. So TIL
stood for an instant looking into o
unother's faces. Then, without
word, he drew her hand through |