Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-09-22
Continued.

Perhaps you are sorry you came
with me?"
Sorry 1 came? Oh, why should
be-" faltered Kate.
We'll, don't know. Some people
the people that are so good that
they think evil of everybody else
look down upon us, and consider an
artists model as not respectable.
didn't know whether you might be
one"
I'm afraid I'm not good, then,
said Kate. with sad smile.
The woman's face cleared again.
Yes, I'm an artists model" she
went on; land those things you see
are what | wear. 1t isn't usual for
models TO keep costumes, but it was
an idea of my own. You see, a good
many artists, young and struggling
ones, are too poor to buy costumes,
and the people who let them out
charge a good deal for them; so
thought If / could get some together,
and charge little more for slttings,
it would pay. That is a Joan Of Arc
armor. / have that for a young
painter who is painting a picture OF
her; he'll be famous some day, but
he lives on a crust a day just at pres
emit And that's a Roman costume
Lucretia, lying dead. And that's
Marguerite, there-Marguerite, in
Faust, you know; | wear that yellow
wig with 1t because Marguerite was
fair. and I'm dark. I'm botherng You,
| expect; but there, perhaps I've made
you forget your own trouble for a
minute or two. I've had trouble my
self. and | know what the strain is"
Her face hardened, and her brows
drew together, and a strange looh
came into her eyes that made Kate
shrink little.
You said you were alone in the
world" said the woman, "and it was
that that drew me toward you. I'm
alone! | haven't friend-not one"
She stopped and looked moodily al
the opposite wall; then suddenly turn
ed her eyes on Kate.
I'D better tell you my name," SHE
said; its Jess Playford. You know
what | am. and that's ALL"
Il know that you have been yer!
good to me-" she said, in low voice
"What--oh, what should l have done
what would have become of me, /
you had not found me, and taken pity
on me? Only one who has been IL
trouble herself could have so kind I
heart"
She paused and then went on:
My name is Kate Meddon," sh,
said, resolving at that instant tina
she would not bear the name of tn,
man 10 whom she had been married II
name only.
Mrs. Meddon?" asked Jess, as s6,
glanced at the wedding ring on Kate
finger,
Kate flushed, and she hung he
head.
"There-there,' said Jess; :"
touched a sore place"
No, no" said Kate. II will tel
You, That is my maiden name; | di,
not give you my husbands name be
cause / have left him"
She managed TO keep her voic
steady. but her lips quivered.
Jess leaned her elbows on the table
and watched her. with q strange look
ITS his fault, not yours" sh
said. You needn't tell me. | ca
read faces, and l can read yours. |
is the old story" she exclaimed. clos
ing her strong. supple hands an,
letting them fall upon the table wit
suppressed rage and impotence
The old story. that's as old as tn
hills! Whether it's the man or tn
woman that does the wrong, it's tn
woman that suffers! Yes," sh
thrust a few tangles of her dark hal
from her forehead with restless. i'm
patient gesture. and her large blacl
eyes glittered yengefully. IT'S a
ways We who have TO bear the brun
and the burden; and the world, tina
has only smiles for the men, ha
nothing but scorn and contempt 70
us, the women" and she laughed.
hard. mirthless laugh.
Kate looked at her in rapt attention
as she sat there, with the hard, rest
less look in her eyes and lips, ant
laughed at the bitter laugh.
Some memory st aggled for ex
istenee in Hates dazed brain.
II seemed to her as If she had seer
her before, and yet she could not re
call the time or place.
Jess, indeed, had changed much
since Kate had caught a faint glimpse
of her on the cliff; had grown thinner
and more refined, and 1t was not like
~ that Kate would recognize her.
Jess sat looking straight before her
as II lost in bitter reflection.
Yes" she said. but the task gets
harder sometimes; most women grin
and bear it, and let the man who has
crushed them so on his way to worl
harm to some other woman; you are
one of these. Miss" and she flashed
her eyes upon Kate.
Eyes" said Kate. with sigh. q
have to bear my trouhle."
sput I'm different" hreathed Jess