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

iindef wbaT projection as s1rs gAzsd
down from the lantern hung balcony
into tho street crowded with Chinese
In their native dress their pig faces.
long cues and long nailed fingers hold.
ing paper bags filed with vegetables
"EIoisew
She jumped Mt the sound OF her
namc and q mans step on the balcony
and pressed back against the wall OF
tho house, staring with wild eyes at
the man before her.
what are You doing hercT" he do.
mandcd why. You have never been
out like this! What does II meanT
She gathered her forces suddenly for
retaliation.
what II 7 haven'tT' she said, some
what brcathlessly. n am old enough
TO do as I choose -and--It is not In the
least your affair what do"
She pushed past him into the incense
laden interior to have the conductor
present her with package Of Joss
sticks and slip Of paper covered with
Chinese characters
"A fortune he said gallantly. ASK
your Chinese lanndryman to read II
for you"
II haven't Chinese laundryman,"
she exclaimed passionately, "and !
never will have onev
She ran almost blindly down the
stairs and into the street. trusting to
her instinct for locality TO guide her to
the nearest subway station. The orr.
entails fell back In wild establishment
at sight Of her fleeing figure, and few
fat old fellows said unintelligible
things to her which caused q roar Of
laughter.
Her cheeks were burning, her breath
was coming in gasps, as she came into
the little square marking the one time
wickedest place In New York. All at
once she felt that she was being fol-
lowed. Quick, light footballs were
coming behind her. were keeping pace
with hers, and terror clutched her
heart. A few drunken men sprawled
on the park benches. To return was
impossible. She could never find the
''rubberneck" party. There YVES moth.
ing to do but keep on as best she
could.
She emerged from the park ready to
drop with exhaustion and was obliged
to slow down to get her breath. To
her relief she found the steps had
stopped. and no one was In sight She
went on and on through the better
streets OF the wholesale district and at
last saw the twinkling lights Of sur
face cars ahead. She reached for her
purse. II was gone!
She stopped stock still on corner,
frozen with horror. Alone at II o'clock
at night on deserted street, with no
money and home miles away! The Ills
Of her guarded. pampered life showed
uppermost In this dilemma. A less ia.
vored girl would have known what to
do She stood there dazed, helpless,
TIL the sound OF rapidly approaching
footsteps startled her into action. She
sprang forward.
"Eloiser' A mans voice echoed her
name commandIngly among the sky
scrapers.
She collapsed all in heap on the
curbstone.
"You-you-loyable girl" lie said,
looking down at her limp person strug
Cling for breath.
"Oh, George" she painted, Il didn't
know 1t was your
He sat down Oh the curb beside her.
Il thought you did, he said.
"And there wasn't any real dangery'
she asked. wide eyed "Oh, what
simpletonw
''None at all except from the ogre
me-" he laughed shortly.
"Oh, George, you are simply fine"
You didn't think SO last week this
time" he said relentlessly.
''But you didn't insist" she pouted.
"a girl likes to be convinced"
"oh, you-you-I will say lt-foolish
girl" he said. with adoring eyes.