The Washington times., 1936-06-11


strong. She went out and paid a
deposit on one Of the apartments
her devastating three days search
had found. The strange, incon-
gruous drama Of Nell's new life
began.
The apartment was on AmSter-
dam Avenue. Three flights up.
Women with fat, bare arms chat
ting at the windows. Women laden
with bundles on the stairs. Chill
dren tumbling out Of doorways.
Crying. Loud voices. Smells Of
onions and soap suds.
Just as Henry Mason had said.
But it was clean. It had its own
bath. This was dark, with only a
12-inch window and an old-faSh-
Toned marble basin, enclosed In an
ugly wooden cabinet.
There were four roomS-kitchen,
living room, two bedrooms. AL
were dingy, with red-brown wall
paper coming half way up the
walls, and only one window each.
But the bedrooms were on the
back of the building. Miraculously,
as it seemed to Nell, they had a
view of the Hudson. The rent was
$25. This included hot water.
Henry Mason went to look at
the vile tenement into which I've
got to move with my dying wite!"
He noticed at once the western
exposure. Good lord, we'll cook
in the summer-do you see how
the sun will roast uS?"
Nell had climbed too many
steps. She was exhausted. She
said forlornly: IT can't look any
further! We've got to stay in town
if either of us is to get work. This
is the best we can do Tor the
money"
"It's terrible! Every time you
walk up those stairs some gang.
ster'll crowd you to the wall. Ana
this" said he, kicking the ugly
brown wallpaper, sis enough to
drive a man to drink. I'll speak
to Jensen. Ask him to tide me
over. In six or eight weeks, when
the building boom starts, Ill De
earning plenty"
Mr.. Jensen, the landlord, de-
clined to tide Henry over. he
could get more than $45 for the
Mason apartment any day IN the
week. Fine new plumolng-olg
closets-airy back porch-eVen
view of the park! He was sorry
but. I
Nell packed. Jimmy helped.
JIMMY was q big-eyed, eager
child with a mop OF brown curlS
and a cleft in his chin. He was
earnest-even solemn.
"Guess we're awful poor, aren't
we. Nell?"
"Not that bad" oo
"Well, could you give me $2'oo
them" $4,000,
wiped a dab of flour from ner
cheek: 1.-TWO and a half, DARING
Inst like that" She laughed IN a
wild, uncomfortable way!
"Well. gee, what so funny about
that? Thought I'd buy a snoe-
shining outfit. I could make
money! Betcha I could make 2o
cents a day-30 cents, anyway; II
I could only get someone 10 STAKE
me to a start"
Nell stopped down and kissed his
little freckled cheek. She said 10
her mother, who now came INTO
the kitchen and dropped listlessly
tn a chair: you've got something
to be thankful for, Mom' any
Nom seemed not to care that
thew were moving. She looked
from the window distantly, as at
hazed and vanishing world.
Nell put on her mothers shoes.
Dabbed a bit Of powder on her
face: helped her down the stairs
Jimmy trudging ahead with a big
suitcase. On the first floor they
stopped. Nell went into pay Mr..
Jensen $40, the last OF the DEBT
Nom had accumulated in the
months of her management.
MONS eyes were full OF tears.
She said softly: you've been a
wonderful daughter to me, Nell.
There's not another girl IN the
whole of New York who would
stand by a mother as you're stand
ing by me. I don't deserve it. You
should have gone with your hus-
band"
Nell glanced for a trembling
moment toward their tree. Dear
Writing so tenderly. So
burningly. Sending her money.
Another $50.
II hope there'll be enough to
land him here in good style, dar-
ling. Have you been to a doctor? |
Just when is the date? I'm wish
ing the months away till we're to-
gether again. Saw a cottage with
Q garden for rent. Cutest place