Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-10
Copyright, 1907, BY
W. B. MAXWELL.
All Rights Reserved.

quite young and new to her work. She
had been in Selkirks. the Diapers. until
an unpleasantness had occurred. and then
she was called to the bar That was a
joke OF the young gentlemen. The real
bar governor was stout Emily. big. jolly
woman of forty-five or more who came
on duty late in the afternoon. and who
could manage crowd and maintain disci-
pine. She wore black silk at night.
| whereas Jessie, her Junior, wore stuff
gown. The young men always asked J7s-
sic when she was going to take silk. but
she did not understand what they meant.
In general company she seemed afraid
of the gentlemens jokes, not knowing
when they would go too far She was
quite devoid of repartee. She liked an
empty saloon. and to sit on her sto u
reading her Mignonette novel. If gen
tleman came in then she would find some
thing to say for herself
Big Emily was thorough good sort
and could really keep order. At her age
she was ripe for highly seasoned anec-
dote, but would stand no nonsense before
the girl.
Now. Mr. Padfeld" she would say
roundy. that's enough. please Moderatt.
your tongue kindly, or go outside and wag
it in the street. You'll find some. one out
there that's fond of dirt
In this stanch manner she guarded the
young lady under her chaperonage. and
prevented indecorous conversation from
reaching those youthful ears She never
relaxed her care. although privily she held
poor opinion Of Jessie, and had already
detected her to be rather a little puss.
Authenticated Jessie was all alone with
her paper novel now, when Mr.. Jack en-
tered through the service door. She laid
aside the pamphlet and looked up with a
smile.
What said Jessie, rising, can 1 give
you?"
You can give me a kiss" said Mr..
Vincent
"Oh, you shall have that But l mean.
what d'you want to drink? Scotch and
soda as per usual
We'll" said Mr.. Vincent, lit must be a
very small one if l do Ny dear Jessie
Just small one.
Puff. puff, too?" inquired Jessie, as
she put the soda-water bottle into the
patent concentrating machine. Want
Gig? There, III light it for you There.
Say ta-"
Now you're happy" And Jessie gave
little laugh. Il wished you to smoke
because-because I've got something TO
Say to you, Jack.
She was a good-looking girl slim. and
trim of figure in her severe black gown.
Her bronZe-colored hair was quite pretty.
and grew prettily about her white fore
head: her skin was naturally white, and
her lips were red and we'll shaped; she
ought to have been a really attractive
girl. but somehow she was spoilt by her
was in her eyes that large Emily had
read the secret of her being at heart d
puss.
Look here. Jack said Jessie, pres
emily, you don't like me-not as you
used to like me. Jack. You know you
don't. 1t makes me very wretched. Yes,
t does
What nonsense" said Jack. suppress
ing a yawn. My dear girl, who could
help liking you?"
You did like me once
II do STILL
Il wonder!'' and Jessie twined her white
fingers round the silver plated lemon
side, smiled, and spoke shyly. slowly,
hesitatingly. Jack, If l was to cali on
you to prove it?'
II thought I'd done that"
Jessie flushed, gave the squasher a
sharp squeeze and spoke faster.
Don't talk foolish, Jack. What 1 mean
is-if l was to ask you to do me great
favor-to help me by doing me a real
service"
We'll I'd do it if 1 could
Il wonder-I wonder If you would! You
would-certain sure-if you really liked
me-
Jack Vincent yawned again.
What is it, Jessie?''
oh. it isn't now. But-perhaps-later
on-1ll pluck up all my poor little cour-
age and ask YOU
"All right and Mr.. Vincent was on the
point of leaving the saloon.
jack cried Jessie, very reproachfully
Aren't you going to take your kiss?'
And she stretched forward above the
!iqueur decanters.
My dear Jessie. 1 beg your pardon. l
don't know what l was thinking about"
And he came back and gave her a, per
functory embrace.