The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-23
Eoening Story
The Hall Bedroom.
By JESSIE D. FOX.

II Camilla White had not fallen into
his arms, Andy Mcdonald would never
have given her another thought.
He was dumping up the last flight
of dark. oil-cloth covered stairs. when
he heard ailittle gasp and then some
thing soft and yielding was flung head
first into his arms. He caught her as
easily as he had caught the ball when
he was fielder. and having set her on
her feet gently asked in his big voice
with the trace OF huskiness in it, Hurt
any?'
She breathed quickly. ana answered,
Il guess you saved my lifel" there
was just the suggestion of laugh in
that voice that went straight to Andy's
heart.
You see must have caught my
toe in the oil-cloth," she explained.
Andy thought she had the softest,
sweetest voice he had heard for a long
time. He could not see her face. it
was a white blur. But Camilla knew
what he looked like very well.
Andy was big with strong shoulders,
and plain. altogether hkable face.
whose only beauty was its thoughtful
gray eyes.
II think my dinner is forever iostv'
Camilla said sadly, STOPPING to feel
about the dark stairs.
They found at last the head of let
tuce, the two rolls still in their bag
and the lemon that was to help make
UP the dinner. In the process they
said several things to each other, alto
gether trite and yet somehow most
Illuminating.
So it was not strange that the Sec
ond time Andy ran into the occupant
of the hall bedroom, he lifted his hat
and stopped to talk & minute.
Her face matched her voice very
well. altho it was neither startlingly
pretty nor different. 1t was a little
too pale and the blue eyes were a lit
tie tired under the level brows.
The third time they met Andy asked
directly, would you take a walk with
me this afternoon
The faintest tinge of color showed
thru Camiila's white skin and she said
for it was Saturday-"I'd love tot"
They walked along Fifth avenue,
stopping before the shop windows to
peer in and feeling a part of all the
thrill and stir of an afternoon on the
avenue.
Camilla's eyes were shining and she
was actually prettier each time Andy
fell in love that afternoon with a soft
spoken little stenographer, with a
bunch of violets at her waist and eyes
that were as blue.
The next Saturday it rained and
Camilla hesitated and then knocked at
the door on the second floor that bore
the card: Andrew Mcdonald"
Il thought you might have tea with
me, it's such g. cold, dismal kind of
afternoon" Camilla offered shyly.
At the answering CLEAN of pleasure
in his eyes Camilla hurried UP the
flight Of stairs. She knew It would
mean that she must lunch meagerly
for 20 cents all the following week.
but she bought crumpets and toasted
them over her gas burner and a tiny
jar of marmalade-and a spray of
narcissus to put in the bowl by the
window.
She waited for him eagerly and with
queer fluttering expectancy, wonder
ing If he would like her hall bedroom.
at his loud rap she opened her door
and smiled up at him. sis r5l
Andy laid down a box of candy as
he said, 81 brought it for the party"
and looked about him curiously.
For it was the oldest hall bedroom
he had ever seen. He had imagined a
room with a bureau and an iron bed.
and enough room just to sit on the
one chair. What he saw was a room
with two windows and an alcove, a
room that looked sunny in spite of
the fact that it was raining, because
the walls were yellow and charming
sunny colored chintz hung at the win
dows and covered the cushions Of the
two brown tinted wicker chairs.
Cleaning brass candlesticl1s were on
q table in the corner, a brilliant color
print of blue mountain and an icy
mountain brook hung over the gray
painted table. A couch under a tun-
BILE OF cushions, and a black luster
bowl held the frail narcissus in the
window.
Camilla sitting down at the table
pouring tea into clear yellow cups, he
suddenly saw as another girl. A girl
removed from his own hard struggles
by all the beauty of this charming
room. Why, she must earn more in
q week than he did to have a place
like thisi
do you like my room ?" Camilla
asked.
''Why, yes, it's great" he answered
but there was no heartiness in his