The morning call., 1891-09-06
would make happy woman of me-" she

|
her room The lights were turned low and
the place was quiet. The door just be-
| yond hers and on the other side was out
lined by light from within, and the tram
sounded faint chink of poker. chips. and
then voics: Somebody shy! Come up,
Parlanee, don't gum the gamel"l
"How did the boys come to get that
room, wonder?" Freda thought. for a mo-
ment half inclined to 60 in and ask for a
| hand.
There was no key in her door. 81 must
have laid it down at Daisy's," she thought,
congratulating herself that she had left the
| lock turned back.
The room was dimly lighted to be sure
! The men had come up for the trunks. Why
| will the management make people live in
| bags over sunday? She CROPPED to the CEN
! ter of the room, stumbling over an unex-
| pected chair, and turning up the one lighted
| jet of the chandelier, found herself facing
| Breton.
The two stared at each other. Then
Breton said courteOusly, but with an ugly
! smile:
,,- This is very good 81 Of you, Miss Freda.
Thank you," returned Freda slowly.
shut you are the guest here and, am con-
strained to add, an nnwelcome one. What
nonsense is this? Must | ring to have you
put out of my room, or call to the bows
across the way, or will you save stupid
| scene. and go off yourself?"
Breton walked to the door, turned the
| key, which with a shock Freda observed
was on the inside. and removing it, read the
| tag-164. ''Of course, if l am mistaken, and
this is your room. | must apologize"
Zone hundred and sixty-four," repeated
| Freda stupidity.
She put her baud over her face moment
| Her cheeks were scarlet and her lips quiy-
ering when she looked up; but she spoke
clearly and with simple earnestness.
=" went ND to DaiSV'S room from mine
When left her [ forgot l was not on my
| own floor. This room is directly above
mine. L must apologies" Freda went on,
land go home as fast as | can"
She laughed lightly. and with pretty
show of unfrightened distress she held her
hand out for the key. Breton turned it ON
his finger, staring at her somberiy.
Please don't forget what is due to your
| self, Freda went on little breathleSS.
Please don't make me suffer any further
embarrassment over my stupid mistake"
Breton had half q mind that it was no
mistake and that she had come there to &C
cept his plan of elopement and marriage.
81 have told you that love YOU" he
And l have told you that the informa-
ton does not interest me. Let me go. You
know as well as l do that l can ring the
bell and have help in moment. You know
as well as do that can call to the boys
over the way"
" You wont do either"
Her color faded. THAT is so, too. This
is your room, not mine. remember that. 1
should alarm the house and compromise
well, you, after all-for L am au actress, and
of course for me it does not count. Still, as
you say, Pm not going to do 1t, if 1t will
satisfy your manly dignity in any way to
keep me here, well and good. Just remem-
Der, it's the lock and key that keeps me and
not YOU"
She looked him over with very hearty dis
gust and added What a very contempt
| BILE person you areF'
she crossed the room to sofa, pulled 1t
out so that it faced him, pulled her CLOAK
| about her and saying whimsicaliy: 81 sup
pose You don't expect me TO keep awake, do
you?" Shs lifted her feet, with brisk
move most graceful women have. and dis
posing of them we'll wound in her skirts
settled herself comfortably.
Breton glared at her from under bent
brnws.
Don't you understand" he said strid-
ing heavily to her, that you are here alone
and at the mercy Of scandal Have you
no fear?"
"Poof! not bitl Don't be more obnox-
ieus than you can help" she said roughly.
He staggered to his feet, crossed the room
unsteadiy; then, with swift move turned
and took small pistol from the bureau
" Promise to marry ME, " he said, ''or l
will kill US both. will prove to you that l
am in earnest"
In an instant Freda half sat up. There
was quick disappearing of her hand in the
folds OF her dress. Then she cried clearly
IF its pistols. l carry one myself" and q
dainty silver muzZle covered him.
Only their sharp breathing sounded. Then
! Freda said in low voice:
Pull yourself togetherI Remember there
Is a girl in this house for whom you care,
a girl whose name | will not shame you by
speaking it now. Think minute of her,
and don't make me shoot, it makes so much
noise. Besides. I'm q good shot and might
hurt you"
Bretons brain cleared. He laid down the
| weapon and bowed his head in his hands.
What fools women make Of usP' he
groaned.
Then he unlocked the door, motioned to it,
ana bowed his head in his hands again.
Freda hesitated. Then she said softly
and clearly;
"Mr. Breton. will never speak of this to
any one. Don't forget the girl you care for.
i know you are better man than you have
shown yourself to me-" Then she added
quantity: by your leave | will turn out
the gas, that my exit may be as inconsplcu-
Gus as possible. IL will be well to take such
precautions as are yet available"
She opened the door quietly, but without
over caution. and stepped into the hail with
no show of timdity If she was caught, ap-
pearing ashamed of herself would only
make things worse.
The chink of chips still sounded. Sup
pose one Of the boys should come ontP Her
heart beat yet more heavily. What an
awful position to be in! She went with fly
ing feet past the staircase, then walked on
down the hall as far rs Daisy's room. A
light still burned within. and she could hear
Daisy sobbiDg She glanced back. No one
was in sight She laid her hand on the knob
of Daisy's door, then leisnrely retraced her
steps toward the stairs. Before she reached
them the poker-room opened and a man
came toward her.
"Freda, where have you been?"
THAT you. Parlance? How much are
you in? Daisy has the blues. and she nod
ded her head backward toward Daisy's
room.
seven out. That's no reason you should
be Up all night Go to bed"
" Good night, dear boy. No-don't see
me to my door. 1t might make a scandal.
Your good manners will get you into trouble
some day. Good night"
She found the key in the outside of the
door as she had left it. In another moment
she was safe locked inside. She drew a
long breath,
THAT was dramaticl l must get some
body to load that pistol for NO."