The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-11-02

WHAT ARE You DOING HERE :" HE DE
from her ulster pocket, bought her
ticket and climbed In among the Ian
terms well toward the front.
George had dared to insinuate that
she could not get along without him.
He had acted as II he were as much
O part Of her life as her daily ride In
the park. her nights at the opera, her
cotlllon favors. Worse still. there had
been. too, the suggestion that he was
40 much q part Of her existence that
she could not get along without him
Other girls were wooed and hard won.
She was taken for granted. And she
wanted romance-"heart interest" she
had heard II called when the drama
was under consideration. All her life
had the conventional been wrapped
around her like dun colored cloak.
She would have freedom from conven-
tionality-and George.
A thrill Of anticipation ran through
her as the big. clumsy vehicle wheeled
cautiously and threaded It's way down
the crowded streets. Through the Ten
derloin, the Ghetto, the Bowery--all
those localities Of which she had heard
but never seen--lt went. When II halt.
ed at last she was In the front Of the
party, still determinedly eager TO get
outside Of herself. The conductor had
taken her under his wing, and she felt
very safe and sure.
They had climbed up and up and up
many winding. creaking, unsafe stairs
to the Joss house, heathenish, garish
place filed with a mixture of rare
carvings, enbroiderles, worries and ap-
parcntly worthless junk. The conduct
or OF the party waited to give his ex-
planation until the loterers had gone.
Ladies and gentlemen" he said,
"walt a few minutes, and will ex'
plain this interesting place. There are
some people present who did not come
with the party and who are waiting In
the hope that they will get the benefit
Of what / am about to tell you"
A little woman In n blue tailored suit
edged her way with asperlty into the
crowd.
''Do you mean me?' she demanded
'T guess we have as good right to be
here as any one. And We'll stay here
till we are ready to CO."
The conductor turned to Eloise for
appreciation.
'The members Of this party have
each paid 81 for this valuable informa-
ton, and 1t Is not fair to them to allow
you to hear this for nothing. l know
your kind. You have been following us
aroupi Arst to get this information
free. NJ, a night passes but ! have
trouble Of this kind. and It's got to
stop"
The little woman fought of her
friends who strovs to lead her away,
"And who are you that you should
talk to me that wayT she cried. "Do
you know who ami I'll have you ar
rested for insulting lady. My broth
or ID down now looking for police
man. DO you hearl" she shrieked,
maddened by her inability to impress
the cool conductor.
There was a commotion In the door
way. and two men pushed through and
thrust their fists under the conductors
pose.
'Trl report you." they yelled, "fas
insulting a lady"
Nloise turned sick. She pushed out
of the excited crowd, past the two
emaciated, imperturbable old China
men behind their little trlnket counter
and fed to the balcony overlooking the
main street of the Chinese quarter
II was horribly low She shuddered
at the thought Of where she was was an! anq