The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-03-17
A Boarding House
Romance
BY FRANCES MAY


Deans nostrils as she stepped into
the narrow hallway of the boarding
house. She knew by the distant sound
of chairs grating upon the thinly-cur-
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 duy-dlnner.
Iastening upstairs to her little
fourthstory room, the girl hurriedly
renrranged her thick, dark hair and
slipped into cool lawn dress, np-
pearing in the dining room just ~ 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 n perfunctory Good
evening" The exception. Il hand
some young Frenchmun, who sat In
the relative position on Mrs. Frasers
right that Eleanor occupied on her
left, looked up smillngly and said
Good evening" cordially and with a
decided accent
ut is warm" suggested the young
man.
Every warm" asscnted Eleanor.
"No warmer than II was at this
time last year" asserted large,
/ flord gentleman aggressvely.
"That don't make II cool now,
| Franklin" snapped his wife. 81 won
| der whether you will find It cool In
France when you 20 back, Mr.. lie Wis
conte2" she questioned, turning to the
/ Frenchman.
Eleanor raised her eyes quickly and
| glanced across at her vis-a-vis.
Are you going to France, Mr.. lie
/ VisconteT" she asked.
"Why. hasn't he told your" ex-
claimed Mrs Franklin, significantly.
~ should think he would have told
you at oncel We were all talking
about 1t just before you came down
stairs. II seems odd that you haven't
heardv
Miss Deans great, dark eyes opened
very wide for an instant and stared
/
ones. Then she turned away and re-
sumed her dinner and the Frenchman
said suavely:
"Why, what need had to inform
Miss Dean when Mrs. Franklin Is here
TO speak for me? go. Miss Dean, tC
France, yes; but today only | know
It; have told Mrs. Frazer this after
noon and she has told all zese good
people this evening. 1t is quick, I,
Il not?"
every quick" responded the girl
"and very unexpected, isn't 1T"
"Most unexpected
Mrs. Franklin's tiny eyes searched
the girls face curiously.
Il should think you would miss
Mr.. lie visconte," she said.
81 shall. indeed"
"'The young man glanced grateful,
at her. You are the only one whit
has so expressed herself" said he
smiling.
"And you viii miss him all III,
more because he's going for good.
continued the lady. with emphasis.
"For goodw exclaimed Eleanor
"Ah-yes-well, perhaps he will com'
back and visit America some day"
II will surely come" said lie Wis
conte. Then there was a silence an,
the girl felt herself the object OF co
vert scrutiny.
"Will you go for walk with Mr.
Franklin and me. Miss Dean?" aske'
Mrs. Franklin, as the dreary' mea
terminated.
Thank you, I have had a hare
day at the office and am too tired
was the response. Goodnight,
and Eleanor went upstairs to her
room, and sat down at the window
that looked out upon the backs of
row OF tenement houses, resting he
cheek wearlly upon her hand.
"What a dreary place this city 4
for a woman to come 10 alonei" sh
said half aloud. "It will be worse b.
and by" and then with an attempte,
laugh, "What goose I am. I'll &c
out of this stuffy room into the air.
Putting on her hat. she slipped
downstairs and out OF the house. Tn
air was sultry and oppressive and tn
pavement seemed to radiate heat
Swarms OF insects fluttered about tn
electric lights. Everywhere rose tn
lncessant hum OF voices and the raj
tie Of wheels and clang Of trolle
bells; and over all hung cloudles
sky. with a half Of silver moon 4
, Its midst.
Eleanor had turned into a quiete
. street where she could walk NOR
comfortably, when quick footste
sounded behind her and voice q
, her elbow said:
Miss Dean-pardon and turnln
her head. she saw lie visconte. ma
/ walk with your" he asked.
She did not reply at once; he ha
startled her and the beating of he
. heart seemed to choke her. So the
, stood for an instant looking into on
another's faces, Then, without
Z a.