The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-03-27
AIRY ELLET stood at the
one windo OF her pretty
room. looking down upon a
child lu a., oroa "a lima.

But Mary Ellet was no aflsi-at
least not one who puts beautiful fan
cies into words. or On canvas She
was only one OF thirty saleswomen IN
a Broadway dry goods house and a
boarder with the owners Of the baby.
who was having a splendid time with
her dog aud her dolly. IN the sunshine
OF the late spring that everybody was
rejoicing over.
Eight o'clock" said Mary. as the
striking OF a clock below came up,
with a deep admonishing tone to
where she stood what can keep him.
wonder9 A half hour past time al
ready, and I was never tardy before IN
all the years I've been with Blake 4
Hillman. shall lose my place, just
as likely as not. for / cannot give
satisfactory excuse. except / tell the
truth, which is quite out OF the ques-
tion; 50 / must keep silent and trust
10 luck"
She turned from the window, then,
and there was a tired look IN her great
gray eyes. as she put on her hat and
went hastily down stairs.
At the street door she met Leland
Forsyth. tan. handsome young
man. who tucked her under his arm
forthwith with an assurance that was
unrebuked because Il hung Itself 70
cable-of-a-promise, and together they
started down the street
'You are late. Lee" the girl said.
speaking IN more serious tone than
she had ever yet used TO her lover.
"Am IT, be queried, shading his eyes
and looking up al the sun. Not very,
! guess"
Enough TO risk the loss Of my
place" Mary answered quietly.
though the tardiness and Indifference
0f her lover piqued her
"Oh. pshawi Blake 4 Hillman are
no such fellows. Besides. Blake's IN
love with your the young man said.
coarsely. 1--WE known that these three
months. or course. his love don't
mean what mine does. These rich fel.
lows"
"Leer'
The girl drew her arm from her
lovers. and stopping stone-stlll In her
walk. she looked AZ him with wild.
frightened eyes. and lips from which
every atom OF color had departed.
He had been drinking heavily. and
abe knowledge Of that. and the low. in
sulting words had well-nigh crushed
her.
Yes. ] took a little he said. an
ewering her unspoken thoughts men
do that. you know, Mollie. when they
get into tight places. and things 80
wrong every way"
Il was by no means the first time
that Leland Forsyth had taken "a
little" lie had never been a strong
man. never a very good man: and all
who knew Mary Ellet wondered at her
choice-for her engagement and the
prospect Of her marriage In the fall
were things well understood by her
coterie OF friends. who counseled. and
pltied. and blamed. and ended BY wish
ing her far better than they could
hope. and that her influence over the
man she loved might keep him
stralghter than his own self-respect
could. save for her sake.
"Are things very wrong. LeeT she
asked. making his trouble her own at
once. after the manner OF women who
love. and half-forgetting her indigna.
tion before the sorrow IN his eyes.
Yes. very: and n / don't get help az
once. I'm gonei That's aIlr'
The girl forgot eli about the lace
department Ia the house OF Blake 4
Hlllman. and sinking into one OF the
seats close hy-for they were IN wash
ington Square-she dropped her hands
idly In her lap, as II there was no more
work 20 do. saying:
Tell me all about Il, Lee. ! don't
suppose ! can help you-women can't
do that often-but want TO know"
You can help me. Mollie-you can
save me-you and you only"
"If' under her breath. and opening
her eyes 10 their widest
Yea youl-and you must There Is
no alternative. II your love for me
is anything more than a profession.
you WiliF'
He looked 50 determined and 40
hardl His voice was thick and hoarsc.
He twitched his watchguard nervous
iy. keeping his eyes on the ground
Surely win II can" Mary said.
softly. "Only tell me how. Lee-only
egll me h0wr
Il want money, girl, and / must have
e."
Much. Leeg'
Three hundred dollars"
The girl drew her breath IN sudden.
". She stared for a moment. almost
vaeantly. into the face OF her lover
then her chin settled upon her bosom.
and q sigh that meant more than any
words 6uttered through the pallor Of
her lips
You have something at Blake &
Hiilman's. / know. How much Is It.
MaryY'
ITS only a little. dearf7 the girl an
swered. Frightening: "and I've been