Roanoke Rapids herald., 1924-01-18

talking about heat, her caller fingered
THAT name suggests regal comforts
and all sorts of luxuries-the only
thing regal about 1t is the attitude OF
that insufferable janitor. 1t really
isn't consistent to name a place the
Versailles and then keep 1t as cold as
a barn"
"Well, rather imagine that the
real Versailles In Its prime was not
much more comfortable. Imagine try
ing to keep those enormous rooms
warm In winter with open fires and a
few miserable little stoves"
"Why, that's SOL don't suppose
they did have steam heat in those
times. l had never thought of that"
I'm quite sure" went on Mr.. Twells,
that I'm happier than Louis XIV or
Louis XVI or any of the others who
lived in the real Versailles, and I know
you are much more blessed than Ma
rie Antoinette."
There was little more to this ef-
feet and then Mr.. Twells left reluc-
family and Miss Landis thanked him
for agreeing to the heat proposition,
and asked him to come and see her
some time again.
All this occurred in the first days
of December and through the next
three weeks Miss Landis and Mr..
Twels managed to divide the heat al
lowed to their two apartments quite
successfully. To be sure, In the early
morning they were both at home. but
Mr.. Twells assured his nelghbor that
he found 1t very uncomfortable to
have heat In the apartment when he
homemade breakfast in cold ROOM
Then the holidays approached. This
meant no lectures at the university for
Mr. Twells. He intended to devote the
time to revising the manuscript for a
book due at the publishers the first Of
the year. Miss Landis also had q
respite from tutoring and from eve
ming classes at college. She intended
to spend her ten days remaking old
clothes and making few new ones.
To this end she had hired a sewing
machine.
One day passed and then Mr.. Twells
paid an afternoon call--his desire to
see his very charming neighbor being
spurred on by another desire to find
warmer atmosphere.
"Oh, l am so sorry" said Miss Lam
dis, when she felt the cold of his hand
she touched in greeting. 1--WE kept
all the heat, forgetting that you'd be
home. And I'll be home in the eve
ming, too. Well have to do something
about it. Maybe the janitor could do
something"
Mr.. Twells seemed to think this was
highly improbable. Miss Landis made
tea, which she served with buttered
toast, and, her caller had soon forgot
ten the discomforts he had endured
through the day.
Suppose l let you have the steam
all the evening"" he suggested. 'If
you'll give me little place under
your reading lamp where l can work
over my papers, I'll be perfectly con-
tent, and you can go ahead with what
ever you want to do just as if weren't
here. That is, of course, unless you
are expecting some one else"
You know very well that I don't
receive evening callers in this little
apartment"
You receive me-" ventured Mr.
Twells, leaning very close to Jane as
he carried his empty cup to the tea
table where she sat.
'That's different" said Jane "I lei
you come because you might freeze to
death If didn't"
II hope you will always be as merci.
full" said Mr.. Twells. and then he
went, promising to return after his
dinner down the street.
The next day was as cold as ever
and all Mr.. Twells and Miss Landis
could do was to compromise again in
the steam supply. Mr.. Twells brought
his papers to All at nine, and wrote,
while Jane sewed till noon. Then
Jane made luncheon for them both
"What are we going to do about
it" asked Mr.. Twells, as he was help
ing Jane clear the dishes to the little
kitchenette. "Shall we just go on this
way-or-"
II cant let you go back and freeze
and l know, you wouldn't let me
freeze" said Jane. "What else can
we do?"
1--WE might get married-then we
could always stay in the same apart
ment. That is, of course, if we cared
enough about each other. and every
thing. I'm quite sure care enough
for you, Jane, I'm very sure"
Jane protested little, but before
Mr.. Twells left that afternoon she
had consented tp the proposition. So
1t was that one bright day two weeks
later Miss Lands and Mr.. Twells Of
the Versailles apartments were mar
ried.