The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-08-18
Rosamond Schuyler
and Jane
BY JESSIE DOUGLAS

lnto HIS pocketS anu Deghn 10 pace his |
room. He had plenty of room to walk,
for, besides the cot and the desk in |
the corner, only a chair lmpeded his |
progress. II was an empty room and
an empty life, he decided wryly.
Lonely 1t reeks of lonelinessl" he
said to the listening walls.
AS he turned he saw square of
paper lying on his floor. An envelope.
A letter. He whisked 1t up and ex-
amined It, Ii was written in a forth
right feminine hand in black ink on
gray paper. He ripped 1t open jag
gedly.
My cousin. Jimmy Cosgrove. has writ
ten me that you have come to stay In the
city. l should be glad II you would come
up to see me; have tea some afternoon,
perhaps some Sunday at FIVE? Then we
can talk over Jimmy and Chicago. where
l lived as child. Sincerely.
'ROSAMOND SCHUYLER"
Mark Travis read 1t through twice
before he laid 1t down. lie liked ,he
looped black writing and the address
engraved in blue on the gray paper.
Good old Jim hasn't forgotten me-"
he muttered "Rosamond Schuyler
charming name"
lie pictured the girl with deep blue
eyes and that same earnest look that
Jim had.
How jolly 1t would be to know
someone in New York To go perhaps
TO the little Italian restaurant down
on Eleventh street that he had dlscov-
cred and eat macaronl while the blue
smoke cured thickly about them and
the clatter OF plates and voices served
as background to their talk"
Lire had rather lost its SAVIOR these
last three weeks alone here. Places
enough to go, and things enough to
see, but always alone. No one to
laugh with him, nor to make him for
get that he was a stranger in u strange
city.
lie had come almost alone to New
York-to call it cold-hard-merce-
nary
"Tll go and see this ROsnmond
Schuyler" he said. 'What a pretty
name that - Rosamond - she'll be
charming"
lie threw his shoulders back next
afternoon as he walked up Fifth ave-
nue. in a blaze of sunshine. His tweed
suit was pretty well worn, but he'd
had shoe shine, and he carried his
fair head with an air and swung
along, feeling for the first time that
he was a part of the life of the city,
instead of being just the newest man
in Gresham & Minors.
But when he turned east at Fifty
third street and found that the house
was an imposing brownstone one, with
dgniied curtains of cream that shut
off the windows and an air of admit
ting only the best society, he hesi-
tated.
That was the number all right, but
would he go? Perhaps she wouldn't be
his kind at all.
But he found himself climbing tie
steps and ringing the bell as though
he were n dummy. Once he had said
Miss Schuyler" to the stony-faccd in
dividual who must be her butler, nc
knew he was in for It.
AS he crossed the thick rug and
came into the dim, beautiful drawing
room he rued the day he had come
He was aware of rugs that his feet
melted into and cleaning furniture ant
color and flowers. He sank down into
great armchair, trying to feel al
ease and cursing his stupidity.
Then he saw that there was some
one else in the room. A girl silhouet
ted at the window was playing will
the tassel of the curtain her slim fig
ure in black and dellcately outlined.
Mark Travis forgot the beautiful
room and the luxury and wealth, fo
he saw that she was sweet-looklng ant
her lashes were wet with tears.
I'm Mark Travis" he said, risinl
and taking the hand she held out 4
him.
"Oh, yes" her voice futtered, ant
he saw she was rather shy and fright
ened of him. I'll heard about you.
He heard his own voice talking an,
then the girls. She had gray eyes in
stead of blue and her brows were dark
and had charming way of lifting
She smiled once and he saw dimpl
peep out near her mouth. Then h
forgot everything but the desire I
take away that unhappy look abou
her eyes.
you've just come to New Yorl
haven't you" she asked, "and will 20
have one lump or two?" she handle
the silver teapot so skillfully an
passed him white cup delicately frat
lie.
Have you been lonely?' she quei
toned; 'it's so hard at first
And Mark Travis found himself tel
ing her about his work with the oil
lawyers and how desolate he had fel
while she pushed the heavy carve
box of cigarettes toward him an
begged, "Won't You smoke; like Il
smell So"