Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-30
CHAPTER VI.
OF WHAT GOODp

CHAPTER VI.
OF WHAT GOOD?
"Bird," said kildare, GIVE got to have
more money"
The girls face lighted "How much?"
"Five hundred dollars"
ooh, Bobr'
'Ts it too much? Never mind, them"
''No, Bob. 1 don't mean that; but are we
doing SO badly?"
'Dash is a fool-that's what's the matter.
1 have told him to order printing and stuff
for The Merry Miser' We have got to do
it. That's what 1 want the $500 for. OF
course, if it inconvenience you" and
Kildare turned as if to go.
"Please don't speak so. Here it is
Kildare took the check.
'Uml Any more word from your law
yers?"
''They-they have sold something, Bob. -
"More advice, too, suppose"
eyes But it's none of their business.
have a right to use my money as l please.
When am p can have everything. And,
Bob, dear, believe there is good deal"
"How about that will of yodrs? Suppose
you die?"
She laughed pitiful little laugh.
''The lawyers said it was all right, didn' t
they, Bob?'' Then of sudden she reached
out her arms, crying: 'But, oh, would
rather ive-that 1 might give it to you my
own selfp
Her face had turned strange white and
great tears fell.
"For heavens sake, brace upl" said Kill
dare. ''Get some color in your face. I am
sick of seeing you look this wav-always
either making scenes or moplng around"
"Dear Bob, II don't NOPE, and I am
quite we'll"
"What's the matter with you, any how9''
She drew a hard breath and her lip began
to quiver, though her tears had stopped.
Presently she lifted her eyes soiemnly to
his.
Don't look at me like thatl Aren't you
happy"
Except for what?"
"Oh, Bob! Let me tell themi" The man
scowled fearfully. Bird began to moan and
twist her fingers together. Then she slipped
to the floor and clung to his knees.
"Bob! Bobi please. will not be a bit
more bother to you than am now-indeed
Iwon'tl As it is my heart is breakingr
"Why don't you do a little of that at
night? Women will not do their best act
ing on the stage"
'sActing! 1t is my life going from me. It
lS0 mUCn TO ask, Q6drs Lei He TELL LU6m.
Let me tell Freda"
"No. And shut up this internal nom
sense. What good are you to me that 1
should make such sacrifice for you? Let's
quit all this foolery or"-he smiled grimly-
I'll not let you play in the Miser.'"
She drew herself from him till she
could rest her head on a chair near, and,
with her face hidden, crouched, sobbing.
Kildare paced the room. Once he pushed
hel fretfully with his feet At this she
rose, understanding that her position irri-
tated him, and crept into chair. Her wee
face was haggard and her eyes woefully big.
Kildare spoke more gently, 'fWhy do you
make me unkind to you by being unreason-
able?''
81 have given up so much" Bird moaned,
as if to herself; her brown eyes wide and
unseeing. "An my ambition is gone, ex-
cept to please you-except to play well
enough so that you will keep me in the
cast. All my friends are gone!-gone! I
would not dare try the latch of my own
home, for the fear that it might not yield to
me. NV mother God knows how her
heart fares in these lonely days. They
used to cali me pretty. Look at me now.
All-all gone into the great gulf of your
crueltyl All even the strength to bear it.
am weak and i'll All gonel all goner'
"And your money, too: you forget that,
eh?"
eyes, Bob, and my money, too"
Anything more to work off your mind,
Baby? All over your complaints and
winnings and tantrums?"
She struggled to her feet, crying:
HRobert! You will be sorry, you will
indeed. Hard as you are, your heart must
warm sometime. But oh, my dear, I love
you. Let it warm a little to me now?
Don't wait until the time is too late"
Kildare snarled an inarticulate exclama-
tion, seized his hat and made for the door,
turning at it to say:
care you such fool as not to know vet
that man won't stand talk like this2 The
more true it is, the less he will stand it.
Get over this streak of idiocy. The sooner
the better for you, and keep your mouth
shut
With this he slammed the door open and
strobe out.
81 wonder what I shall do" the girl
asked herself aloud, chill despair settling
upon her. 81 wonder what i shall do?"
She crossed to her trunk. The upper tray
was an orderly confusion of all kinds of
feminine elegances: gossamer handkerchiefs
in transparent cases, lace scarfs, an amber
handled creamy parasol; couple of fans
one sumptuous group of plumes, the other
costly lace--silk stockings in all dainty
shades, with silver and jewelel clasped gar
tiers to match, gloves upon gloves upon
gloves, and two or three jewel cases. From
an unsuspected drawer in one of these Bird
drew bit of half printed, half written
paper. Looking over it seemed to give her
new courage She thrust it back hastily,
aud replaced the box Then, as her face
grew haggard again, she said to herself:
''Of what good? Of what good?"
Perhaps She meant the tinery in the
trunk; half dis isordered by her hasty dis
lodging of the box. Perhaps she meant the
pearls and brilliants the box held
''of what good? OF what goqd?"
CHAPTER VII