Gloucester County Democrat., 1907-10-17


seen this month. Hydrophobia is be-
coming a habit In this neighborhood. .
she returned, bearing tiny silver tray
with decanter and glasses.
you're all unstrung, but this brandy
will help you-if you don't object to a
swallow of it, Then come right in
here and lie down for a moment and
you'll be all right" She spoke with
such genuine kindness and sympathy
that Helen flashed grateful glance at
her. She was tall. slender, and with a
peculiar undulating suggestion in her
movements, as though she had been
bred to the clinging folds of silken gar
ments. Helen watched the charm of
her smile, the friendly solicitude of her
expression, and felt her heart warm
toward this one kind woman in Nome.
you're very good" she answered;
but I'm all right now. I was badly
frightened. 1t was wonderful, your
saving me-" She followed the others
graceful motion as she placed her bur-
den on the table, and in doing SO gazed
squarely at a photograph of Roy Glen
lster.
"Oh" Helen exclaimed and then
paused as it flashed over her who this
girl was. She looked at her quickly.
Yes, probably men would consider the
woman beautiful, with that smile
The revelation came with shock, and
she arose, trying to mask her con-
fusion.
Thank you so much for your kind
ness. I'm quite myself now and /
must co.
Her change of face could not escape
the quick perceptions of one schooled
by experience in the Sights of her sex.
Times without number Cherry Malotte
had marked that subtle, scornful
change In other women, and reviled
herself for needing it. But in some
way this girls manner hurt her worst
Of all. She betrayed no sign, however,
save widening of the eyes and GER
tain fixify of smile as she answered:
= wish you would stay until you are
rested. Miss She paused with out
stretched hand
Chester. My name is Helen Chester.
I'm Judge Stillman's niece" hurried
the other. in embarrassment.
Cherry Malotte withdrew her prof
fered hand and her face grew hard and
hateful.
"Ohl So you are Miss Chester-and
I-sayed your She laughed harshly
Helen strove for calmness. I'm sor-
~ you feel that way" she said coolly.
u appreciate your service to me-" She
moved toward the door.
wait a moment I want to talk TO
you" Then, as Helen paid no heed,
the woman burst out bitterly: "Oh,
don't be afraid ! know you are COM
mitting an unpardonable sin by talk
ing to me, but no one will see you. and
in your code the crime lies in being
discovered. Therefore. you're quite
safe That's what makes me an out
cast-I was found out. / want you to
know, however, that, bad as am, IN
better than YOU, for I'm loyal to those
nat like me, and don't betray my
friends
Il don't pretend to understand you"
said Helen coldly.
"Oh, yes, you do! Don't assume such
innocence. OF course it's your role, but
you can't play it with me- She step
ped in front Of her visitor, placing her
back against the door, while her face
was bitter and mocking. "The little
nervice / did you just now entities me
to privilege, 1 suppose, and I'm going
to take advantage of it to tell you how
badly your mask fits. Dreadfully rude
Of me, isn't it? You're in with a fine
lot Of crooks, and I admire the way
you've done your share of the dirty
work, but when you assume these
scandalized, supervirtuous airs it Of
tends me-
.'Let me outr'
'Tve done bad things" Cherry CON
tinued unheedingly, "but / was forced
into them usually, and never deliber-
ately tried to wreck mans life just
for his money"
What do you mean by saying that I
have betrayed my friends and wrecked
anybody's lifea" Helen demanded hot
".
Bah. | had you sized up at the
start, but Roy couldn't see it. Then
Struve told me what | hadn't guessed.
A bottle of wine, woman, and that
fool will tell all he knows. It's a great
game McNamara's playing, and he did
well to get you in on 1t, for you're
clever, your nerve is good, and your
makeup Is great for the part. l ought
to know, for I've turned few tricks
myself. You'll pardon this little burst
Of feeling professional pique. I'm
jealous Of your ability, that's all. How
ever, now that you realize we're in the
same class, don't look down on me
hereafter" She opened the door and
bowed her guest out with elaborate
mockery.
Helen was too beWildered and hui
inflated to make much out Of this