The Washington times., 1903-08-02
COFONPACE JEST AND ITS CONSEQUENCES-By PHILLIPS c4Er1

bottle which she was examining and
looked at him fxedIy.
And what might be your business
with Miss Day." she asked.
Ny name is Marwood." he said. u
knew Miss Day down in Somerset"
The lady nodded her head vigorously.
She became. II possible. a little redder
in the face.
Ihen all can say Is that It's a great
pity you didn't keep her in Somerset, 20
she answered. What's the use OF a
girl like her, with scarcely a rag to her
back. coming up here with such notions ?
Wouldn't do this and wouldn't do that
as particular and fnIcky ali the time as
you please. Drat the girl. I say. niece
or no niece"
am sorry" Marwood said, timidly.
4 dare say It was a great change for
her UP here. Can you tell me where 7
shall find her?'
'No. cannot" the lady answered. as
though incensed at the question. And,
what's more. IL I could l wouldn't. and
good-day TO you, sir"
She swung around and disappeared
through a door leading to an inner room
Marwood left the place with hot cheeks
Some shadow OF the humiliation which
he could Well imagine had been her lot
seemed also to have fallen upon him For
two days and two nights he sought her
in all manner of places and thorough
fares. Then chance befriended him. She
was standing beneath a lamp post and
he was in the shadow. There was no
one TO see the tears which filled his
eyes. to hear the sob which rose hot in
throat. She was tall and thin and pale
Her eyes were larger, there was a pinch
ed look about her features. Her clothes
were shabby. He thanked God for that.
She was talking with a mana gentle
man, he seemed TO be, weII-dressed,
good humored. debonair. Marwood list
ened
And how does the show go?' the man
asked her.
ooh, 1 am no Judge" she answered
YEARLY. 1T seems stupid enough from
the wings. am only In the chorus, you
know. I have nothing TO do. really"
I'VE are going to alter all that" the
man said. swinging his cane. It shall
speak to Randall and hammer a small
part out of him somehow. But. by Jove,
Miss Day, you look awfully paIe""
Then Marwood saw her stumble for
moment, as though she were dizzy She
herself almost Immediately.
I am-quite Well she said. a lit
tie tired, perhaps"
The man suddenly threw away his oi-
gazette
Look here. Miss Day" he said.
you've done a very foolish thing,
You've missed your luncheon. You girls
are always forgetting your meals
never do Come along. No, 4nsist.''
Her faint protestations were Of no
avail and Marwood felt the blood run
cold in HIS veins, for he had seen for
second what no one can ever see and
mistake-the wolhsh CLEAN Of hunger in
her eyes. come and gone like a fash.
but more eloquent than any spoken
words. Then the restaurant doors be-
fore which they had been standing
opened and they disappeared inside.
MarWood waited. It was an hour be-
fore they came out. The transforma-
ton In her was amazing. The lines
seemed to have been smoothed from her
face; there was color in her cheeks and
light in her eyes. Marwood who had
been standing on the opposite side Of
the street, started to cross the way. but
he was too late. Somewhat unwiIlingIy.
II seemed TO him. her companion hurried
her into a hanson and followed.
Marwood caught a glimpse Of the
mans face under the gas lamp-it was
sufficient. When the cab drew up be- /
fore a row of Eats a little west OF Pail
Mall he was already turning the corner |
He saw Esther alight, hold out her |
hand: he could see her hesitation. her I
reluctant footsteps. He caught the /