The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-04
EDening Story
Hope.
by GRACE UPTON.

into the third floor 'front.' room. This
room was occupied by Mr.. Archibald
McPhee, floorwalker in a department
store, and Hope always smiled a little
as she tidied up the room. 1t was
typical of Mr.. McPhee, with its expen-
lsiye silver toilet set spread on the
dresser, its cut glass bottles of per-
fumes and toilet water, its gold framed
pictures of rich looking people wear
ing handsome clothes and snowy jew
elry, its rack of rainbow hued neck
wear--a scarf for every day in the
year and q few over-itS wardrobe
filled with costly clothes
Poor Mr.. Harrison" sighed Hope,
for she was thinking about the occu-
pant of the hall room at the rear.
Then she pulled down the window
shades to the proper place, left win
dow open just a little to keep the air
at the proper temperature, and left
the room. The hall room came next.
She looked at the narrow white iron
bedstead with the bed neatly made up,
at the white washstand in the corner
with two or three things in order-the
scantily furnished dresser, the almost
empty wardrobe-the poverty of it all.
'I hope he can find a position to-
day. she sighed. for she knew that
the pale grim face was growing paler
every day, and that his board bill was
creeping UP. Her aunt had not said
anything yet, and the girl hoped she
WOulQ not, pub coal oiilS were AlSh'
and it was creeping toward the New
Year.
Perhaps Mr.. McPhee will get him
la place in the store she thought. 81
know he wants to be a newspaper
man, but-oh, dear" she stopped
Harrison's dresser. A large photo
graph of a pretty girl, a really nice
girl, with a charming smile. Across
one corner was witten in q dashing
hand: "Come back for my sake, Jinl-s
myi"
That sentence rang in Hopes ears
the rest of the day. She could not eat
and her lovely face grew pale and
worried, forSin her heart of hearts she
loved Jimmy Harrison-and there
come back. Could he resist that ap-
peal? He came in to dinner that
night looking white and grim as
usual. He was late and SO was Mr..
McPhee and the two men ate alone.
Hope went in and out waiting upon
Them, for it was Maggie's evening off.
Made any connection YETI" asked
McPhee genially as he ate his soup.
NO" answered Jimmy Harrison.
afraid this is q bad time fors1 don't
seem to fit into anything"
Got any friends-any pull?"
Nothing, but some letters from
home folks in the west"
I'VE need a man in our advertising
department.; better CONF up and nab
the job tomorrow morning"
Thank you, McPhee-but can I
"Of course he can, Mr.. McPhee-
he's very clever indeed-you can fill
it-you must" interrupted Hope. "He
must start the New Year right-with
a good position" She smiled at both
men and Mr.. McPhee laughed out
right and Jimmy Harrison turned to
her gratefully.
That's fine of you, Miss Hope" he
said.
/ Nope fled blushing into the front
sitting room, where she hid her face
behind "a newspaper What had she
done She did not know much about
Jimmy Harrison and here she was
championing his cause. finding a po-
sition for him thru Mr.. McPhee, all
because she had Learned sto love him
and probably he doesn't know me
| from Maggie" was her agonizing
thought.
But Mr.. McPhee rushed thru his
dinner because he had a theater en-
gagement, and as he passed thru the
sitting room he winked at Hope.
Landed him, didn't I?' he whispered
hoarsely.
/ Hope nodded. 80 good of you, Mr..
fMcPhee," she said, but her heart was
| sore 1t gave a sudden jump when
Jimmy Harrison came out of the din
ing room and stopped in front of her
looking down at her with a very
strange expression in his gray eyes.
Miss Hope, did you put McPhee up
to giving me job?" he asked,
She nodded thru the tears.
WHY" He didn't seem angry at
all, in spite of his pride.
We'll, 1 thought it would be nice
for you to start off the New Year
right-and then-there's the sgirl in
the picture-you can make good be-
| & Gta
| What girl--oh-you have seen 1t
And So He Redeemed, and with
another muttered word of thanks he
dashed up the stairs whistling like a
| blackbird
Hope bowed her sunny head and
cried.
Christmas came and went, with
boxes of candy and flowers for Hope
and her aunt from Mr.. MePhee and
Jimmy Harrison. The latter went to
business every day with Mr.. McPhee
and he was making good, very good
indeed. The anxious frown left his
countenance as he paid Mrs. Winnie
the board money he owed, and Christ
mas morning he had appeared in a
new suit of clothes. looking very hand
some and happy. AS his spirits
| scared, Hopes went down.
She tried to be unselfish and look
forward to the New Year with hope
full heart, but always before her there
was picture of Jimmy's happy face
and the sweet smile of the unknown
girl who wanted Jimmy to come back
for her sake.
The first of the year dawned cold,
brilliant day There were only few
people at the breakfast table that
I morning, for most of the boarders
were away for the holiday. Hope Cor
don and her aunt sat alone at the
table, when suddenly Jimmy Harrison
came in flushed and handsome
Happy New Year!" they all cried
( in unison, and Jimmy sat down, an,
nouneing that he was as hungry as a
hunter.
Il will see about some hot cakes
for you" said hospitable Mrs. Whine
as she hustled away, leaving Jimmy
and Hope alone.- He leaned overland
took her hand in both of his large,
capable ones. Hope" he asked
gravely, why did you do it?"
DO WHAT" she faltered.