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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 1920)
minimi ii l mu.iii.iii , , i m '-"" "' m n u IT- STD PERHAPS the only real pleasure John Devlne had, day In, day out, was the too brief Interral of hall apace between tbe third and fourth eight of bla rooming bouse. Here In the room directly beneath bis own, the door often stood open a tew Inches, enough to allow a glimpse to a passerby. There was a jolly llttli tor always gleaming red frequent ly crackling gayly. Beside it stood gaunt, a violin rack. That was all. John never passed the doorway without a longing glance at the store and a prolonged gaze Into the narrow opening. Often he beard a rustle, a delightfully feminine rustle, but be never taw the roomer. Sometimes, if be was not too late In the evening, he beard soft trills of a violin, scarcely WELL, ot all tbe mean initia tions," and Scotty sighed N heavily. "Preliminary only, Scotty, old boy: wait until the lg day, then you will say this was easy," and Dick Ramsey laughed heartily, for on every Una of Scotty's features was written "mis ery." Ted Scott, nicknamed , "Scotty" by his friends, was what the boys de scribed as being "pleasingly plump" and very good-natured, Scotty was to be initiated into the "Rah-Rah-Jah" Society, and probably because of the old saying that "plump" folks gener ally aa a rule are good-natured, or be cause they knew Scotty was almost super- enii tire about certain things, they voted that he should board a street car, the 7:16, which is usually crowded, and even though a nice young lady or ladles were to smile oh . him very sweetly, he was to "sit tlghr snd look Into that particular, young 'lady's face and smile sweetly, and then get off at Four FLORENCE WILSON was seated in the middle of a group of girls on the steps of the col lege dormitory. "I'll bet you all a big box of candy apiece,"- here she stopped until the commotion subsided; "you needn't think it's so funny, you wont get it" she added. "But Florrle, that scheme of yours Is absurd. Just because you live in Arizona Isnt a sign you have to hire ' out as a maid for ths Summer. Tou know very well we would love to bave yon visit ua." "Thank you, Beatrice, but I have fully made up my silnd to answer Mrs. Rawson's ad. And if I keep my Job all Summer yon all get that box of IT was the first evening that Ann Maccair was at my home that ha poured from her grieved heart bow she had met and married Phillip M""r fire years before. I had not seen Ann for 10 years, and when I heard of the fatal accident to her husband I Immediately wrote for her to bring Mildred and join me in my Southern home until she recov ered somewhat from , the shock. At least it would be a change of surround ings and furnish her rest Ann's mind seemed reminiscent as we sat In the room after dinner. We had been college chums, had enter tained our first "beaux" together. I married Conrad, but Elwin Abbott had merely tampered with Ann's love, and for years afterwards she confessed the affair had left her an aching heart and created in ber a distrustful attitude. I was Interested in Ann, and was not only pleased to learn about ber meet ing Philip, but plso to see her enjoying If I may use the term living over . I PHILIP RANDALL was very proud of his wife, Alice. They bad been married a year and three days and were supremely happy. Alice was dainty and very much alive and Interested in things both inside and outside ber borne. Philip liked to have his wirepin things" and encour aged her many activities, including sewing circles and a social tea now and then. - Alice did not let the borne suffer, however, and It was always as neat as wax and very tastefully arranged. Things were running very smoothly tor the Randalls, in fact, until , (jus day ThUip cams hums at coon Where Crossroads Meet more than whisper. Tbey floated up to him enough to make him long for more, but ceasing almost as soon as tbey began. For weeks this room had fascinat ed bla. Whj, be could not say. Was it the stove? Was it "the roomer" he nerer sew? ' Tonight be passed tbe door slowly. He saw the same tew Inches only, and be heard the lightest possible rustle and that was all, but his heart choked him, and be stumbled up to bla own room. There he aat on the edge of his lumpy bed, and burled his face In his bands. He wanted to cry. , He did not cry. Instead, ha thought and thought. Was "the roomer" lonely, toot Was Aliston Corner, that they would be there waiting for him. "Scotty" knew ha would be watched every moment, slid It was with some fearful misgiv ings, that he boarded the T:15. The car was crowded In a short time, but "Scotty managed to get a seat. Was it his luck, or what? but able whatever will she think ot me," willing to bet almost anything that she at that moment a young girl about 19 and it was then that Scotty's gaze knows me," and his head dropped al- entered the car and stood beside shifted, and'jt was then that be met a most to his feet with shame. "Scotty." He felt himself weakening, far different gaze than the young xi Gordon, who was responsible for but immediately he encountered a pair girl's. those .mtTniD ln the c,r of eyes from across the way that It was the gaze of an elderly worn- f , warned him to 'sit tight' an, tall and stout She fairly glared 3umped oB Bls0- The young girl after riding some at "Scotty." She was seated, but she "Here he is, boys, and, say, he car distance looked down on "Scotty" as was' Indignant because Scotty did not Tie& It out to perfection," and the boys she held on to the strap, but there was offer his seat to the young girl. The a suspicion of a smile lurking around perspiration started to rain down the corners ot be?" mouth , and did poor Scotty's cheeks. He was "mls "Scotty" Imagine It? but he felt sure cry" personified, there was a mischievous twinkle In her "Aliston Corner," shouted the con eyes as she looked at him. ductor, and Scotty made a grand rush Arain "Scottv" was about to rive un for the door and for a breath of fresh his seat, and again he encountered that warning glance across the way. - "Oh!" thought Scotty "I am miser- Weeks From candy." The next day Florence dressed as simply as she knew how and set off to secure the situation as a maid in the palatial residence ot tbe wealthy Mrs. Rawson. Timidly she rang the bell, to be admitted by a trim maid in black and white. Florence gave her a friendly glance and sat down ln the library to await her turn for aa interview. Finally she heard sharp "Miss Wilson." and slowly she arose from the chair. Upon entering she found Mrs. Raw son quite the opposite from what she had expected to see. Tbe lady was little and white-haired, in fact with quite a motherly air. Florence gave a again In memory her unique courtship. "Tou know, Bemlce, I was always Interested in what I called tbe psy chology of lore " "And what I cafled nonsense," I broke in. "Pardon me." Tor five years I Just lived on, meanlnglessly, loving only m work, and my pupils, ever try ng to conceal the fact that I was harboring that nat-, oral passion to love and to be loved. I thought of Ann as a college girl, and recalled how it would hurt ber If any of ths girls seemed to neglect ber or failed to show tbelr fondness for her. Ann was likeable, loveable, and we were all devoted to ber. "I became the official chaperone for the boys and girls in tbe high school where I "taught. Their love affairs In terested me, and often I recalled El win and longed once more to love and be loved,- Love waa my gospel, I lived it, taught it I longed for that which. I didn't nave." "Why, Ann, wssnt there snyone for Cause and and found the bouse vacant He was hungry and cross "Why couldnt Alice have lunch ready on timer he'd like to know. "What waa a wife for, any way, if not to have meals ready on time and make things pleasant for ber husband?" Viciously be chewed cigar and ,was Just about ready to leave the bouse and get bis lunch elsewhere when he heard ths chug of Alice's roadBter, bis first wedding anniversary gift to her three short days before. "Surely be had done bis best to make ber happy!" Alice breezed Into the bouts, looking V I , she young or old? Dare he speak to her? He glanced about his grim tour walls which could never be a home to him. His memory of a little gray house in the fields of golden corn, or among the tender Spring shoots, or tbe whitened stuhble, sent hot tears to bis eyes. Ths present box from borne had been meagre. "The girls," who took pies and cookies as a matter- of fact, and who nerer knew1 what it was to be away from home, could not under stand. But little Benny, "queer, kid," had sent three ears of the prize corn from' the farm, and all the popcorn he had raised In his school garden. "Queer kid, Benny," thought the big brother. Sut the corn looked good to him. It Q2C Air. Tbe yoWg lady also got off at Aliston Corner. "Heavens." came from Scotty: "I'm Tomorrow little gasp s she entered the room, thinking of her own little mother away off in faraway Arizona. After a few friendly questions she was told to report the next day. Florence ran all the way back to the college with the good news, only to be scolded and lectured by her school mates. "The idea of you, with your social standing, to think of doing this," 'one girl exclaimed. "Ida Longworth, you ought to' bo ashamed of yourself. It is good, hon est work, and it won't hurt me one bit. I might just as well work as spend the whole Summer running around visit ing my friends." you? To be a chaperone doesn't elim inate one's own suitors." "Elwin. I thought them all alike," tbe poor woman added with a sigh: "Then one day I passed a billboard. I know it's silly to you, Bernice, but I waa attracted by what I saw." "Tbe same old Ann, ovcrcomeat 18 by your ideal lore, and even at 25 you are impressed by a billboard. What was it, a 'Let us furnish your home for you' advertisement?" . . My attempt to cheer her, to appear ln any way facetious, met witb disap proval at once. I saw It from her ex pression, for at 30 she was still a bundle of emotions, any one of which wss ready toome to tbe surface. Choking back a sob, Ann continued: Effect very pretty and youthful ln a silk sport suit , "Hello, honey-love!" she greeted hint as shs kissed bim soundly, quite Ignoring bis disgruntled manner. Philip mumbled something peevishly about a "tired business man having to watt for bis meals." Immediately be was sorry that hs bad said It, but de termined not to show It. Alice flushed, but playfully assured ths "blessed grouch" that lunch would be ready in a jiffy. "In Jiffy!" ejaculated Philip. "I hare to be at tbe office In 45 minutes, unless you want me to lose my Job." His heart smote him as hs saw ths I By Jodla Johnson I was the best present be bad ever bad. Meanwhile something he had not ex pected was happening from the room below. The strains of the violin float ed up to him; bravely, cheerily tbey began. It was a tune he knew and loved. A voice Joined. A young voice, sweet and tender. The voice trembled and ceased In a sob. The chords of tbe Instrument stumbled and ceased. The door banged shut. John leaped to his feet He hastily selected the three Xusty ears of yellow cdrn from the others and bound them together with thejr own dried silk, and as hastily removed his heavy boots. Then stealthily he crept down the stairs. Outside the room under his own, he noiselessly fastened the cars Aboard the Seven-Fifteen one by one cheered him, but "Scotty" broke sway and went home to picture what that nice young girl must think of him. "Scotty" was in town the following, day, and returned home on the 7:15 again, never dreaming he would meet the -young girl, and in the excitement of last evening be forgot that it was the 7:15 he boarded. Every seat was By Aigia Frances Brooks. The next day! Florence left her friends at the railroad station, not to see them again until their return to 'school in the Fall. As she turned ber steps toward her new quarters she could think of nothing but ber new du ties, and two hours later found her ln her uniform awaitiBg orders. Everything went along smoothly and Florence was congratulating herself on her ability as a tnaid. At last one day Mrs. Rawson called ber into her own private sitting room. The minute Florence entered her eyes fell upon a photograph on her dressing tables Mrs. Rawson evidently saw the glance and volunteered the informa tion tbaf it was her son, expected As It Was "It was an icecream advertisement Two curly haired children, about Mil dred's age a boy and a girl were embracing. 'Love at first sight' Is what it meant. I stood still and gazed at the picture. Something seemed to whisper to me, 'as God intended It Love.' There it was, the psychologic al appeal, Innocent love, divine' love. Then Elwin" She didn't finish, but I knew ber thoughts. She and Elwin had been en gaged; but be was never worthy of Ann; Conrad often said tbat. TO help her to continue, I asked: "What has that to- do with your meeting Phil?" "I had not noticed a man standing near me, who seemed equally oblivi happy light die out of his wife's eyes; but somehow this noon he could not help saying things which be bad never allowed himself to say in the past. ' While Alice busied herself in ths kitchen! he sat In bis big easy chair in the living room and smoked. He was sitting where he could see Alice mov ing sbout preparing the belated meal. Moodily be watched ber, then sud denly sat erect, " "Could It be possible, bis Alice, al ways so bright and sheery, crying?" But yes, he taw ber wipe her eyes and distinctly heard a faint sniff. FMlip's 'peeve left him ln a flash and of corn to the door knob and stealthily returned to his room. Up there ht hurried "tidying up," whisking his toi let articles into a drawer, kicking bit shoes and rubbers under the bed, and stuffing his clothing behind tbe spiled curtain which Eerved as a closet. Then be snatched up bis banjo and strummed the strings. His own voice, untrained, but young and spontaneous, swelled. Singing lustily John hoard sounds other than the strumming and bis sing ing. Was he sure he beard a stilled cry of pleasure? Was he , sure he heard a rustle on the stairs?' He sang on. The unlatched door swung open and standing there baft afraid, balf joy ous, the ears of corn tightly clasped in i"l n JSC occupied, and this lime "Scotty" hung on to a strap. Directly ' in front ot him sat the young girl of last evening. Their eyes met, and soon she Jumped up witb an amused twinkle ln ber eye and said, "Allow me," and walked to the other end of the car to a scat which was just vacated. "Scotty" stared at the 'scat vacated by ber, and It then dawned on him that she was making him feel the hu miliation that probably she went through last evening. A titter went aroud the car, and "Scotty" could see that the passengers thought it a huge joke. He could only stare at the vacant seat and wish with all his heart that the car would fairly home from college In three days. Flo rence felt her heart leap up, but con tinued on In a discreet silence. The three days passed quickly, and with them came a young athletic fel low two years her senior. On tbelr first meeting, young Tom Rawson's eyes followed tbe new maid around tlie room. It was not until be had been home fire days that he had the good fortune of catching her alone in the room. At last that day came, and be awkwardly asked her if she liked her work. ' - "Oh, yes, indeed," Florence an swered, "One has to do something to earn a living." Tom looked at her a little dubious Intended ous 'to his surroundings., I turned to go, and the man said half aloud with out taking his eyes from the adver tisement, 'as God intended it Love.' " In spite of my sympathy, I couldn't check a smile. Ann noticed it, and again I had to question ber before1 she would continue, "It was a common appeal striking home to two equally hungry, equally disappointed persons. There was no forwardness on his part nor on mine. We Just stood thfre and talked. He knowing tbat I was concealing the real reason of the appeal of tbe two chil dren, and I knowing that he was. We went our ways, but day after day we seemed to meet at that billboard, and as we passed we always spoke."' , s grest remorse took possession Of him. "Oh, why didn't I keep my mouth shut Never spoke a cross word to ths poor little girl, ot course she doesn't know how to take It And now he was in a fine mess and he supposed lunch that noon would be about the dreariest meal he had ever eaten." Furtively he glanced into the kitchen again and sure enough, Alice was not only wiping ber eyes, but sitting down actually making a business of crying. Philip fidgeted, whistled a bit, and tried to bum a tune, but his tongue wss hot and dry and clung miserably to ths root ot his mouth. her arms stood a girl, black haired, red lipped, black eyed. Hr cheeks glistened wlth ears ot homesickness and' surprise. ' John was singing the tuna. Sobbing, the girl finished the stanza, "and corn and somebody to talk to.' Tou will talk, won't you?" she pleaded. "(Tell me all about It. I am so home- sick." M John was shy, and be flushed, but-tie saw tbe girl's distress was greater than his, so he smiled bravely and said: "I come from Mineral. Where do you?" The girl smiled brightly now. The tears sparkled In her dimples. "Ob," she said, "I'm most a neighbor. I'm from Sheffield." ' , "Sheffield?" John laughed with de Jight "I'm John Devlne," be said, simply. ."And I'm Lois Prentiss, " volunteered the girl. They both laughed forybeer Joy. - "John Devlne," the girl spoke decid T I E',3 UJX-L By rfXJrg fly to Aliston Corner. ' finally bis wish was realized, and be alighted with alacrity. . He was hurrying along but stopped aa someone called his name. "Mr. Scott, please let me apologize for the humiliation I caused you this evening, but It was my Initiation also. I didn't feel hair so bad as you did last evening; to me it was highly amusing, tbe idea of me offering my seat to a young man, but I did feel sorry that it happened to be you, and I hope you will forgive me," and Bet'i Sawyer smiled1 sweetly. "Forgive you; wby the idea! I should ask your forgiveness for my apparent rudeness last evening in tbe car. You ly. "You don't look as if you have worked for yours very long," be re marked. Florence felt as It she might be suspected" so she deftly turned tbe con versation. Many times he tried, to make her answer catch questions, but each time she evaded tbe subject One day, however, he asked ber to go for a ride in bis car, and as Mrs. Rawson was away for tbe week-end, she ac cepted the offer and went After tbey bad got fairly started, Tom turned to the girl and said: "What are yau doing this for, Flor ence Wilson? J know who you are, so don't try to fool me." Florence tried to smile, but it changed Into a look of anxiety. . "Yon won't tell anybody and make me change my plans, will youT' she pleaded earnestly. "On one condition, fair Jady, And that is you let me take you out when tbe coast Is clear. - , Florence resdlly consented, and aft er that the Summer flew by all too "And you secretly thought or begai to think that he was Interested in you, and that you might learn to lave him." I should have known better. Ann looked hurt, and covered her'eyes with her handkerchief. 1 believe you told me that you finally met him when one of your pu pils' met with an accident is school, and Phil was called to attend him." "Yes, Phil had Just been appointed medical attendant at the school." I realized that either on. account of my unwise remarks or Ann's fatigue that she no longer showed eagerness to tell ber story. ( "And soon you married him." "Yes, and soon he died." With that Ann seemed to tblnk ber "Brute" he accused himself, "erank," echoed his conscience. To have hurt the dearest wife a man ever had was Indeed unbearable. Clumsily ha made his way Into ths kitchen, stumbling over a couple ot chairs in his baste. Aflce took no notice ot him, but con tinued to dig a pathetic little wad of moist linen into first one eye snd then the other. Then she smiled wanly through ber tears, Mid Philip, unable to resist any longer, fathered ber Into his arms snd begged to bs forgiven. "Don't cry, dear, I didn't mean It, sweetheart, I'm sorry snd" He, got no further. ; Was Alice laugblag at him? What bad come1 over bis dependable little, wife, who nerer bad hysterics or any of ths other purely feminine afflic tions. "Oh," gasped Alice. "Oh. Phil," and shs fairly shrieked with merrtmgnt. "Ch.TQn. tlesied pid .! i. im muni. nmi. II I edly, "I'm so homesick I dont know,, what to do. And, If you're from mw Dots you must be all right And, it you're one of tbe Perinea from Miner al I've heard about you, so that's all right, too. Now," she entered the room and placidly seated herself on John's, lumpy bed, "I'rt something to say." John grinned at bsr. "Let's take that," , she pointed to Benny's pop-corn, "and pop it. Ton come down and we'll pop t on my, stove." "Hare you a popper?" asked ths practical John. "Of course not," answered Lois, "but" anybody can pop Illinois popcorn in tea strainer, provided she wants to, chuckled Lois as she jumped up from tbe bed and ran to the door. "Ot course, if you don't want to" But John' was talking, too. "Pro vided she and be want to," he was saying, emphatically. Lois wss tripping down tbe stairs and laughing gayly, so naturally John laughed, too, and hurried after lier.' 2 a g n h a Phil Moore CEZ "Pleas don't bother to explain, Mr. Scott; it is all right. ( Brother Al was mighty scared you wouldn't bave an opportunity to be mortified, so be' placed tnjt right in rront of you, and I was greatly amused but felt sorry for you. snd you see I understood it was your initiation." And again she smiled. , "Al Gordon's sister!" fairly shouted "Scotty." "Just you wait till I" "Well, Mr. Scott, I'm a sympathizer, so come up to tbe house with roe this evening and ws will fix tbat big brother ot mine." And Beth laughed heartily. "Do do you mean It?" And "Scot ty's" eyes fairly shone with pleasure, "Allow me." and Beth led the way. quick. At last came tbe end of Au gust and Florence gave ber notice ln a very - buainess-like way. Tom was ' right on band when she gave it, and U I. - V. - . . , 1.1,1. .It.... k. asking his mother if she would give ber references. - "Yes. indeed, shells the beet little '. girl I have ever had In my employ, In fact she seems like one of the family." "Perhaps she will be, some day, mother." s "Tom." Of course explanations, had to fol low, but the result was tbat Florence went back to her friends with a won derful ring on ber left bond. "I'll tell you what I will do. girls," abe ald, after she had told tbem the great news. "Instead of that box of candy, you can sJl come to my house warming and we'll have a big spread." Just as she was leaving them to re turn to their studies, she called over her shoulder, "Girls, that will be four weeks from tomorrow." ' 1 By Elsie Endicott , storyended. Her tears affected me, and the conversation lagged. Finally I added: "Well, Ann, there were five years In wbich you lired your ideal, and Mil dred will soon be four. Life for you has not been void, anil look wbat Mil dred means to you." Ann would ay no mora. 0 "Ever answer any of those coal-saving advertisements?" "Answer 'em all, I guess. But I only got one recipe that had any merit." t "Wbat was that?" "It read: 'Coal may be made to last longer by keeping It away from stores and furnaces.'" peach, did you tblnk I was crying be cause you were a bit Impatient?" "Well, weren't you?" demanded ths astonished husband. "I I was peeling onions," gasped Alice between peals ot laughter. Philip Joined her quite relievedly and shamefacedly. "You know dear," ha said a few minutes later, "steak and onions nev r tasted so good before, especially ths onions." ' a Applied Hydraulics. Mixle A friend of mine fell asleep la . ths bathtub with tbe water running. . Trixie Did the tub overflow. , Mixie Nope, luckily be sleeps with his mouth open.' 0 1 ' HerStyls. - Mrs. Jems I am economical and -never use nutmeg ln my flavoring. . Mrs. Terns Ibst must fes pate saf . . lflsV,