The Clio messenger., 1922-03-16
UP THE SHAFT
BY ELIZABETH DE BoER.
;AeeeeeeeeeseAeAeseee9

(G) 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.D
Because Duanne needed vocal lessons,
because her father insisted that she
should receive the best and because his
account in the town bank was very
small, Duanne had chosen a tiny, dark
room in the New York 'nineties." It's
only means OF light and air was
through window looking out on an
air shaft. But Duanne laughed, be-
cause she was that kind.
Because Mason Hill had no father
with bank account backing him. be-
cause he had just returned from
France with $50 bonus i'm his pocket.
and because he wanted TO study art
Mason had chosen small, dark room
in the ''nlneties" looking onto the very
same shaft as Duanne's.
One is hardly surprised, therefore
that the next morning when Duanne
thrust a curly head out of her window
to see what kind of day it was. Ma
son was doing the same thing, and
they both discovered tiny blue patch
of sky nine stories up.
wanted to know how the weather is"
Mason called across the shaft, and
Duanne laughed back: "Oh, no. in
deed If Mr.. Sun won't come in and
say good morning to me, l go out and
say good morning to him."
I'm glad you did" Mason's voice
was as sincere as his eyes were blue.
"The shaft is as lonely as soldier in
France"-and he knew what he was
talking about
ut is gloomy, isn't itY' Duanne said.
ut was-until you appeared"
They both laughed, grew braver, and
continued:
"Are you studying here?' the man
asked.
"Yes; I'm going to be a singer some
day; and you"
"Oh, I'm taking artl" This was
said awkwardly. but received enthusi-
astically.
"How interesting, Mr. -"
mason Hill-but you needn't re-
member it ALL he added meaningly.
"All right, Mason. won't" Duanne
was surprised at her easy informality;
sand you may call me Anne"
SO the days-busy, happy, fighting,
discouraging, hopeful days-went by
and every morning Duanne and Mason
looked up the shaft, laughing and talk
ing together. AS their friendship grew
they took long walks, returning some
times, rosy-cheeked to Duanne's room,
where they would have quiet supper,
exchanging happy recollections of the
''up country" days.
At last the inevitable happened.
They fell in love. 1t was a glorious
spring morning, and they were look
ing up the shaft. Duanne called across
TO Mason:
"What i'm the world would we do
without this shaft, Sonnie? (That was
her favorite name for him.) I'm ac-
tually getting attached to it-sort Of a
sentimental feeling, you know"
"In that case l wish 1 were the
shaft" Mason called back, and Duanne
looked at him questioningly. He
leaned forward and went on easily:
II never thought I'd make love in an
air shaft, but that's what I'm doing.
Ann. I'm crazy about you and I'm try
ing to forget that / haven't a little
house to push you right into as Mrs.
HILL" He stopped for encouragement,
and Duanne hastened to give 1t.
"Well, we don't need a house, do
we?"
"Ann, you mean-that you'd be sat
isfied with little apartment until
could work up? Do you, dear?"
Ann was laughing.
"Yes, Sonnie, that's just what 1
mean"
"Ann, dearest, I'm coming right in
and seal the agreement"
There was banging of doors, clat-
ter of feet down the hall, and Mason
burst in. He came straight to the win
dow and took Duanne in his arms.
"rhen it's agreed, dear?" he bent for,
ward to kiss her.
"Wait n minute" Duanne whispered
"On one condition"
"What?"
THAT our apartment will have ar
air shaft.