Hyder weekly herald., 1934-07-14
Too Poor to
 Propose Bv BETTY STRONG
e. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
 WNU Service

l never have given her another thought. He was dumping up the last flight of dark, oilcloth covered stairs, when | he heard a little gasp and then some thing soft and yielding was flung head | first into his arms. He caught her 1 as easily as he had caught the ball when he was fielder. and having set her on her feet gently asked in his big voice with the trace of huskiness in it. Hurt any?"
 She breathed quickly, and answered. I-I guess you saved my life" lhere was just the suggestion of laugh Tn that voice that went straight to Bob's heart.
 You see. l must have caught my toe in the oilcloth." she explained.
 Bob thought she had the softest, sweetest voice he had heard for long time.
 "I think my dinner Is forever lost' Doris said sadly, stopping to feel about the stairs.
 They found at last the head of let | tuce, the two rolls still in their bag and the lemon that was to help make up the dinner. In the process they said several things to each other. al- together trite and yet somehow most Illuminating.
 So 1t was not strange that the second time Bob ran into the occupant of the hall bedroom he lifted his hat and stopped to talk.
 The third time they met, Bob asked directly, "Would you take walk with me this afternoon"
 The faintest tinge of color showed through Doris white skin and she said flor 1t was Saturday-"Td love to!"
 They walked along Fifth avenue. stopping before the shop windows to peer in and feeling part of all the thrill and stir of an afternoon on the avenue.
 Doris eyes were shining and she was actually prettier each time Bob Richards looked down at her.
 The next Saturday 1t rained and Doris hesitated and then knocked at the door on the second floor that bore the caSd Robert Richards"
 II thought you might have tea with me, it's such a cold, dismal kind of afternoon" Doris offered shyly. At the answering gleam of pleasure in his eyes Doris hurried up the flight of stairs. She knew it would mean that she must lunch meagerly all the following week, but she bought crump- ] ets-toasted them over her gas burner ] and a tiny jar of marmalade, and a spray of narcissus to put in the bowl by the window.
 At his loud rap she opened her door and smiled up at him.
 Bob laid down box of candy as he said. "I bought 1t for the party" and looked about him curiOuSly.
 For it was the oldest hall bedroom he had ever seen. He had imagined 8 room with a bureau and an iron bed and enough room just to sit on the one chair. What he saw was a room with two windows and an alcove. $ s room that looked sunny in spite of tht fact that It was raining, because the : walls were yellow and charming sun ny coored chintz hung at the windows ana covered tue CuSLlollS Ol lue AW'
 brown tinted wicker chairs. Cleaning brass candlesticks were or a table in the corner. a brilliant colol
 print of blue mountain and an ic!
 mountain brook hung over the gray
 painted table. A couch under tum
 ble of cuShons-and a black luste |. bowl held the frail narcissus in th' e window.
 r Doris sitting down at the table pour t ing tea into clear yellow cups, he sud denly saw as another girl. A girl re '- moved from his own hard struggles b. all the beauty of this charming room > Why, she must earn more in weel Il than he did to have place like this 1T For a month Doris scarcely saw tn 5. owner of the room on the second floor
 When she did meet him by chance. h -. hurried past her with an abrupt "GoO
 evening""
 o But once when she climbed the tw ! dfrhtc af Stairc on1 cou that pnhs