The Washington times., 1906-03-04

I'm worth d hundred thousand
dollars" said Plat I'm build You
the finest house in West Texas.
You can't buy me. Mr. Buyer
said Miss Asher, Il you had hum
dred million. / didn't think I'd have
10 call you down. You didn't look
like the others TO me at first, but
you're all alike"
All who?" asked Pratt
All you buyers. You thing because
we girls have to go out 10 dinner
with You or lose our jobs that
you're privileged to say what you
please Well, forget it. thought you
were different from the others, but
/ see was mistaken"
PIatt struck his fingers on the
table with q gesture of sudden, IL
Illuminated satisfaction.
I've got it" he exclaimed, almost
hiIariously-"the Nicholson place,
over on the north side. There's a
big grove of live oaks and a natural
lake. The old house can be pulled
down and the new one set further
back"
Put out your pipe" said Miss
Asher I'm sorry to wake you up,
but you fellows might as well get
wise, once for all, 10 where you
stand. I'm supposed TO go 70 dinner
with you and help jolly you along.
so you'll trade with oid Zizzy. but
don't expect to find me in any of
the suits you buy.
do you mean to tell me- said
Platt, that you go out this way
with customers, and they aH-they
all talk TO you like / have?"
They all make plays" said Miss
Asher But must say that you've
got 'em beat in one respect They
generally talk diamonds, while
you've actually dug one up"
How long have you been work
ing, Helen?"
Got my name pat, haven't you.
I've been supporting myself for
eight years. was a cash girl
and a Wrapper and then a shop
girl until I was grown, and then I
got TO be a suit model Mr- Texas
Man, don't you think little wine
would make the dinner a little less
dry?"
You're not going 10 drink wine
any more, dear. It's awful TO think
how. III come TO the store to-
morrow and get you. I want you
TO pick out an automobile before
we leave. That's all we need to
buy here"
"Oh. cut that out. If you knew
how sick / am Of hearing such talk"
After the dinner they walked down
Broadway and came upon Diana's
little wooded park. The trees caught
PIatt's eye at once. and he must
turn along under the winding walk
beneath them. The lights shone
upon two bright tears IN the models
eyes.
"I don't like that" said Platt
Whats the matter?"
Don't you mind" said Miss Asher.
We'll, it's because-Well. I didn't
think you were that kind when I
first saw you. But you are all alike.
And now Will you take me home, or
will have TO call eop?"
Platt took her 10 the door of her
boarding house. They stood for
minute in the vestibule She look
ed at him with such scoTn IN her
eyes that even his heart OF oak be-
gan to waver His arm was half
way around her waist when she
struck him a stinging blow on the
face with her open hand.
AS he stepped back a ring fell from
somewhere and bounded on the tiled
floor. PIatt groped for It and found
it
Now AdAO S(uA 0SSACSO AA0NA1AAS
and go, Mr., Buyer" she said
''This was the other one-the wed
ding ring" said the Texan, holding
the smooth gold band on the palm
of his hand
Miss Asher's eyes blazed upon him
In the half darkness.
WAS that what you-did you
mean"
Somebody opened the door from
inside the house.
Goodnight" said Platt. "I1l see
you at the store tomorrow"
Miss Asher ran up to her room and
shook the school teacher until she
sat up IN bed ready to scream
''Fire!"
Where is it?" she cried.
That's what l want TO know,
said the model. You've studied
geography, Emma, and you ought
10 know. Where is a town called
-Carac-Caracas City. !
think they called it?"
"How dare you wake me up for
that7" said the school teacher.