The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-06-01
A Story at the Club.
BY JOHN +. DILLON.

We'll. I'll see you fellows tomorrow
night and" Danvers stopped a mo-
ment to compare his watch with the
big clock at the other end Of the room,
that was just striking It'll nave
an engagement with"
"Loie Sherard," Norton broke in,
with laugh.
miss sherard to you, If you please"
Danvers answered, holly. "Oh, l
know what's the matter with you fell
lows. You think because she has to
work in the chorus she isn't-well, I
don't care what you think. I'm old
enough to know what I'm doing"
Norton shrugged his shoulders and
looked over at Rowe.
Rowe nodded and chimed in: 81 hear
you rented fat
Danvers face flushed and his teeth
came together with snap as he stood
glazing at the little group. Eyes, there
is a fat" his breath coming hard,
and"
HAS it gone so far as that, Dam
nfe?" 1t was Morel that spoke; good
old Morel. The one man in the club
that the youngsters carried their trou-
bles to with a certainty of sympathy
and help.
Danvers hesitated a moment before
answering. We've hadn't quite set
tied on it yet. You see, it was her own
suggestion. and IL partly consented.
l was just going to tell her it was all
right. But don't see how it concerns
any of them" note of defiance in his
voice as he turned to the other two,
"and I'll trouble you to mind your
own business"
Just a minute, Dannie," it was
Morel, again. Il want to ask you a
question. DO you think what you are
about to do is fair to Miss Crolins?"
The angry light died out of DAN
vers' eyes as he stood thinking of
what Morel asked. mo. I don't sup
pose it is. But a girl nowadays don't
expect to marry saint. She knows
a fellow must have his fling"
"A fellow must have his fling" Nor
ell softly repeated to himself. "Say,
Dannie. I'd like to tell you a story
about"
Danvers raised his hand in protest.
4 haven't time to listen to any stories.
Call me cab, James," This to the
club doorman.
But this won't take long, Dannie.
You know I've always kept an eye on
you young fellows and helped you
over the rough places. Can't you stay
for a few minutes?"
There was something persuasive in
Morel's voice. and Danvers stood in
the center of the room, undecided.
you needn't be afraid I'm going to
preach, because I'm not. Just a little
experience of-of friend of mine.
Will you stay?"
Danvers threw his hat on the table
with a gesture Of impatience and, re-
moving mis- gloves, sat on the arm of
the chair he had just vacated, and
waited.
Il once knew a fellow like you, hot
headed and impetuous," Morel began,
with plenty of money, good looks,
and nothing to do"
Norton stuck his cue in the rack
and tiptoed his way across the carpet
to his favorite chair, while Rowe lit a
fresh cigar and leaned with one elbow
on the mantle, listening.
well, one night there were four of
us sitting around, just like we are to-
night, talking and chatting away, try
ing to kill time, when one of the group
proposed taking run over to the
Folly theater' to get away from our
selves. That was agreeable, and we
were just being seated when the cur
tain went up. The show went on, it
was good piece, popular opera of
that time, and we were enjoying our
selves immensely, when one of the
fellows suddenly found himself look
ing into the eyes of one of the chorus
girls. 1t wasn't that she was such a
handsome girl, but there was certain
something about the big, brown eyes,
and an undefinable attraction about
her dark, oval face that made him
anxious to meet her."
Danvers leaned forward in his chair.
his face resting in the palms of his
hands, waiting for Morel to continue.
1t was an easy matter to obtain an
introduction, and before long this fell
low found himself worshiping at the
shrine of this little lady of the chorus
along with many more, but eventual
ly he was the favored one, and he did
just what you are thinking about do
ing. He rented fiat and installed her
there as his mistress"
Danvers WINGED bit, and Norton
stepped to the window and raised the
sash to keep out the rain that was Just
beginning to fall on the porch outside.
From the parlor across the hall came
the soft sounds of the piano as some
one entered, and then it died away
again to nothing as the door closed.
They were happy for awhile, very
happy" Morel went on. but soon
the novelty wore of and, besides, the
man had grown jealous. You can
readily see that it wasn't the ideal
happiness one would expect and-I