The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-04-22
THE WINDOW
BY AGNES @. sRoeAN

Jack Thorpe, hurrying along through |
the chill Of an early spring day, !
glanced up at an old stone mansion
and saw the window. The window
seemed to typify that home he de-
sired.
In crying contrast to its nelghborlne
windows, the shining white curtainef
glass beckoned, while two potted ger
aniums tagged welcome.
Jack was tired Of hotels, tired OF
disappointing bachelor apartments,
and though he had not passed down
Cooper road with the intention Of find.
ing n lodging place there, that is ex
actly what he did and for this was the
gay little window responsible.
"Will you" he briefly asked a maid
who opened the door to him, "let me
know If the room on the second floor
Is vacant, the one with red flowers in
the window? And may see itY'
Jack assembled the gloomy stairway
upon being told that the room was TO
be vacated the following morning. The
maid inserted key in n lock AMI left
him.
The room was as inviting NJ It's
window promised. When Thorpe
lighted the lamp and touched match
to the gas CRATE, he sank into a Gre
tonne cushioned chair with a grateful
sigh. Here was real home at last
Mrs. Blckers came up presently for
an Interview The bright place on the
wall paper, she Informed him, was
where the former tenants piano had
stood. The piano had been moved that
morning.
The room would be ready for rent
Ing tomorrow, Mrs. Blckers agreed,
and he paid the advanced price asked.
Just leave the key on the hall rack
when you go out" Mrs. Blckers said,
and left him.
He was enjoying a cigar before the
glowing fire when tap sounded at the
door and in response to his questioning
"YesT the door opened to admit a
young woman. She was palefaced
young woman and her big blue eyes
were trimming with tears.
"Whot do you want?" asked Jack
impatiently.
q want to come in," she retorted.
UNLIMITED, she drew companion
chair to the Preside and was, apparent
ly, soon lost in thought
81" said Jack informlngly, ,"have
just rented this room"
The girl turned to look at him.
"Have your she asked. II hope you
Will like it.
Il know that I shall like it" he re-
piled. Il knew from the moment saw
those red geraniums in the window"
The freight induced Jacks remin-
iscence.
I'VE used to have a window like that
at home when was boy. White
ruffled curtains and all. II looked out
on the side of the garden where a sun
dial stood" .
Did your" asked the girl eagerly.
I'VE had a window like 1t, too, at
Grandmas Grandma raised us moth
erless children. But our window looked
out from n sunny kitchen to where
we could see birds hopping about on
the trees, and In winter time, their
little tracks all over the snow"
The man nodded understandngly.
81 know, that all spells home
You won't like the meals here" the
girl said. Better go outside FOR them
Its too bad you have to-"
"Oh, well, there must be some draw
back. one does not find a home every
day"
Nor lose one. thank goodness"
sighed the girl.
With new isterest he regarded the
strange visitor.
81 lost mine today" she explained
ruefully.
but why?" sympathy was in his
glance.
Couldn't pay the rent" the girl told
him. III / can't make another home
for myself there will always be grand
mas 10 go to- she added.
Tell me- he begged impulsiyely.
Grandma educates her orphaned
grandchildren and then turns us out
of her over-full nest to make our owl
ways Ny way was to be music
fame, success, you understand, waiting
In the world outside have just two
dollars left I'm going TO stop nc q
". W. tonight, and tomorrow go out
and look for an ordinary job. TIL,
trouble is, don't know Il thing in the
world but music"
"Your name?" the man asked "won't
you tell me your nameN
"Burnie," answered the girl. hel
sweet face grew wistful. Back II
grandma's cottage they call me Mar
got"
With a sudden gesture she tossed
hat and cloak to a chair. am get on
my tea wagon and have tea. And you'll
stay? 1t will be sort CT celebration
the old tenant deposes, long live the
new"
Some new, ineXplicable desire helt
Jack Thorpe longingly In the gayl!
cushioned chair
I'm Installing a new music Stor,
right here In Cooper road" he told hel
later, "oud with your experience along
that line. I'd be glad to offer YOU {
posltion In II. Ii might do for 4