The Press., 1922-10-26

The time was not all spent ln dicta- tion Many interesting points came up to be discussed. Of course, when they stayed late MT. BalcOme could not al- low her to go home alone. One eve ming they stopped work earlier than usual. Eleanor did not know that he had so planned it. When they reached the apartment, Mir. Balcome said:
 Ut is too late to go to the theater and too early to go home. think you will have to be kind, and invite me to come in, Miss DenslOw."
 She could not refuse, so for the first time the gray and rose nest was in- vaded by man. That night Eleanor sat long in the gay cushioned chair, thinking back over the days to that first time when Bruce Balcome had walked into her office and into her life. She could not remember when she had commenced to think of him as other than one of the many customers who went In and out of her office. How had she let down the bars that sepa- rated her business and her home nfe8
 A few nights later she found box 
 in. their sweetness. she spied note.
 My Dear Miss Denslow-I am going home tomorrow"
 She read no further. Going home going hOme-withOut a word" She cIenched the note tightly in her hand. '"Then he does not care. And thought T thought" She dropped her head on the table, her feelings too deep for tears. Was it true? Had she read 1t right? Slowly she raised her head, dreading, yet longing, to see the words again. Her fingers lOOsened on the note. Yes, but there was more. Per haps he explained. She glanced along the lines:
 Your assistance has meant much to me, and I shall miss our evenings to- gether. My hope is that you, too, will . miss them, and that your evenings will be so lonely you will be ready to give me a warmer welcome when I return than you did at our first meeting. l look forward to spending next Satur- day evening with you, and l shall not come to dictate, but, If your smile of welcome invites, to ask for something. Yours always BRUCE BALCOME."
 Yours" He had underlined it. Had their companiOnship meant as much to him as it had to her? She would know soon, but how could she wait? | It was a waiting time filled with glow ing hopes. She walked home at night as in dream, cooked her dinner In a dream, and as she sat down to 1t pie tured a blue-eyed companion opposite.
 Saturday came at last, and even the room itself seemed to wear an air of 1 expectancy. The pink rOsebuds which showed their blushes against the soft | gray of the vase must have been re- 1 spOnsible for the rose flush on the face of the rooms occupant, flush which deepened as steps sounded outside and firm hand knocked at the door. She could not move to open 1t. Another knock, then voice. Eleanor" and, as she drew the door back, the dream | figure that had been tenanting her room vanished as Bruce Balcome stood before her, a question in his eyes.
 "EleanOr, ThOpe you have been lOne- ly this past week, as horribly lonely as have been."
 Her eyes spoke for her az they looked into his, and he drew her to him closely.
 Dearest, do you know what s frigidly cold greeting you gave me when I first met you. As punish. ment I am going to compel you to a lifetime of greetings of this kind, and he lifted her face to his in a greet ing such as only lovers know.
 Two months later Eleanor stood in the rose and gray nest alone, for the last time.
 "Goodby, little nest. I loved you, but you have a rival. He has stolen me away from you. I am sorry to leave you, but, oh, so glad to go with him, anywhere"