The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-11-17

his employers cynical Indifference to
all sense OF honor ana honesty, COM
ing to the conclusion that he was no
better than a thief at heart.
Beneath Albert's disposition to adapt
himself to those he mingled with lay
O vein of sterling good sense. fine
honor and the energy Of self sacrifice,
If necessary. and Frye's attributes
were SO obnoxious to him as to be
simply repulsive. At college he had
neyer INDUCED In much "larking," AMI
just why the bond of friendship be-
tween himself and the good natured.
self indulgent. happy go lucky class
mate. Frank Mason. had been cement
cd is hard to explain. except upon the
theory of an attraction of opposites.
When. a few days later. that young
man appeared at the Office just before
closing time and suggested they Ego
out for a nights racket" as he phrascl
it. Albert was not inclined to accept.
What are you up toi" he said as
they walked away from the office.
land what do you mean by "a racket?
If it's likely to be expensive. count
me OFT: | can't afford it,"
well" answered Frank lightly, you
are working too hard and need shak-
Ing up, SO / thought I'd drop roun1
and Go it. We will dine at the club.
then go to the opera house. where
there is a burlesque on and no eni
Of pretty chorus girls. | know two
or three of them. and after the show
we will take them out to supper"
Its all right except the end-up."
answered Albert, and on that | think
you had best skip me. AS | said. it's
a diversion | can't afford. I've nc
money to spare to buy wine for ballet
gills."
"Oh. that's all right" responded
Frank cheerfully. i've asked you out,
and it's my treat. I'll pay the shot
this time"
81 shall ray my share If I 60" AS
serted Albert firmly. but | would rath-
er omit the after part. We viii have the
evening together. and then you can 80
ard entertain your chorus girls, and I'll
go to my room"
1t was n laudable resolution. but it
came hard. for beneath all Albert's
good resolves was lurking desire for a
little excitement to break the dull mo-
notony of his life. He had been to the
theater only twice since he came to
Boston. desiring to save in every way
he could. and only the week before had
sent Alice one-third Of his first months
salary. At the club Frank introduced
him to several of his friends. and of
course they were asked 10 join them in
a social glass. which did not tend TO
strengthen Aibert's resolution. At the
tleater the e~xhilarating music and the
glitter of a stage full OF pretty girls
had their effect, and by the time the
show was over he found ii impossible to
resist his friends urging hat they 90
around to the stage door and meet the
girls he had Invited to sup with them.
Mind you, let me pay my share"
whispered Page. and then lie found
himself being introduced by his first
name TO two highly coiored queens of
the ballet. and all four proceeded at
once TO Il private supper room. Albert
found tie girls bright. vivacious and
expressive, Us far rs a superficial use
of slang goes. They ordered the choic-
est and highest priced items on the bill
Of fare and talked about their ''mashes''
in other cities in a way that made Al
bert grateful that he had been intro
duced by his first name only.
When in the wee small hours they
escorted the two girls to their boarding
place, Page was glad to be rid of them,
and when he reached his room he did
not feel particularly proud of himself.
He felt less so the next morning
VIXEN lie received a letter from Alice
which read:
My Darling Brother-T was so pleased
when ! received your loving letter and
the money you sent. You DO not know
hsw 1t hurts ME to feel we owe SO much.
and | have cried over II more thar you
VIII ever know. Last week | received my
first months pay-$31-and | was very
proud of it. fer 1t is the first money I
ever earned. | took half and put it with
the twenty-five you sent and gave it to
Mr.. Hobbs. | have only Sc left. for | had
10 buy soane boots and gloves. but that
viii last me a month, for We not the
heart to spend a penny Isam not obliged
TO until the debts are paid. / had TO buy
the boots because walking four miles a
day wears them out very fast.
And lie had spent 500 the night be-
fore to hear a couple of ballet girls
talk slang!