The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-10

streaks on my checks. l was Tor lorn little girl and all alone-away from everyone I knew. Nobody loved me-not even Theodore Stratton cared enough for me to look me up again.
 Then. to cap the climax, when | arrived home l found number or people in the lobby, talking eNcitedlH with some policemen. l learned that some time during the day thieves had been in the house and great number of people in the different apartments had lost money jewelry and clothes.
 rushed upstairs to my room and found that my worst fears were re- alized.
 My two best evening dresses which l had been saving were gone Sllp- pers and stockings, my mother S mini ature set with pearls--the only fine piece of jewelry l had-and horror upon horror all the money that l had left home for safe-keeping. l only had about S25 in my pocket and with my best clothes gone what was l go- ing to do?
 was too frightened to cry. I just sat down and looked about with un- seeing eyes. What could do nov? knew it would be impossible for Aunt Virginia to send me any more money for she had given me all her poor little savings when l left home. l quickly added up the next three days work that was sure of. l could account for S22.50 besides the S24TO that l had in my pocket-book. Forty seven dollars and twenty cents n all !.
 was so alarmed that ! do not think I would have lived through the night if I had not been sure Of my position with the Theodore Stratton Co. I ate the remains of the bread and drank some of the remaining col fee and was perfectly miserable. For d moment l had the wild mo- ton of telephoning to MT. Stratton and then l thought: "Oh, can't do that. IL would look as though l was asking him to help me"
 over the telephone they asked me from the office: Have you lost any thing. Miss Winston?"
 Almost everything I had" l an swered and in moment or two policeman knocked at my door.
 That was the last straw l wonder why policemen in such circumstances always act as though you are the criminal instead of the victim?"
 I finally told them that l wished they would go away and in the morn ing 1 would send them a list of the things l had lost.
 "An right he answered gruffly. Don't cry little girl. It looks like the work of a slick one but we'll find him."
 I found myself laughing hysterical- ly as they closed the door. Here was real moving picture and the camera man missing!"
 Another tapping at my door. l de- cided not to answer but finally somc- one said: "Virgie, Virgie, let me in." l opened it to find John storm,
 He looked about in surprise and then scrutinized my swollen tear stained face.
 Why, what is the matter here? What are you torn up so far?"
 I'm not torn up. I've just been robbed. that's all'
 You don't mean really robbed"' he gasped stupidly
 'Yes robbed of-nearly-everythins l possess in all--the-whole world" I managed to tell him be- tween sobs.
 You poor little girl" He put out his hands to quiet me. for 1 was shaking almost historically. / I looked up into his kindly face and then went straight into his arms and laid my head upon his shoulder. It spoke well of his understanding that
 
 Instead be patted my head an as his hands fingered on my hair he whis- pered crooningly: Cry it all out, child. There are some things that only hard weeping can wash away"
 l took his advice literally and near ly drenched him with the tears. At last he said: My, child, if you weep much longer you will not be able to work tomorrow-your face will be so swollen"
 "Oh, I must work tomorrow. haven't any money now except what I can earn"
 T will let you have some to tide you over"
 No. I have enough for now ar1 I shall have work al, the rest of this week. And I think I will have a part in Theodore Stratton's new picture" John Storm looked vt man so peculi- arly that, absorbed thought I was in my troubles, I noticed it.
 I almost hated him-for I under stood.
 Copyright John F. Dille Co.)
 Tomorrow-John Storm Calls.