Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-22
CHAPTER XIV.

liant Tor her sister ana IOunO tldt size
was not there she was very much aston
ished and also much perturbed. They
ought already to be In their places for the
performance. She began hurried search
for her. That the girl might have left
the building did not occur to her. for she
had noticed that her street clothes were
still hanging on their accustomed hook
She was unable to find her. however. nor
had anybody Of whom she made inquiry
seen her She ascertained by observation
that she was not where she ought to
have been. among the other girls In the
wings The stage door keeper had not
seen her go out. he said, which was per-
fectIy true. for he neglected to mention
that he had absented himself for a few
minutes Greatly mystifed. she could
reach but one conclusion, that she had
got out Of the theater in some way and
gone home. Nora had been terribly agi-
tated and had said that she felt i'll. She
must have been in a bad state. Indeed.
not to have changed her clothing.
Milly Sultzer came running into the
room.
Come on. Patsy" she cried. They're
holding the curtain. You'll get into
trouble"
But Patsy's. mind was made up. She
would sd to Nora. The girl might need
her help.
LET 'em hold itr' she said. MY sis
ter's gone away Ill. an I've got to look
after her.
Swiftly she changed her clothes and
in the fiat. Nora was not there nor had
she been there apparently, for nothing
had been disturbed. Patsy now was more
than worried: she was alarmed. She re
turned in haste to the Long Acre, put
nothing had been seen Of Nora there. 1t
flashed upon her that the girl i'm her des-
peration might have dashed of just as
she was to seek Crawford and demand
the note, intending to return TO the
theater as quickly as possible. This be-
came a conviction. for at that moment
the call boy came along and noticed her
troubled mien.
"Lookin' fer yer sister. Miss O'Brien?"
he queried, ..,,. ,,
Il seen her hike of in cab just now.
he replied "She asst me to get 1t fer her
She wuz in a turrble hurry an drefful
white about the gills.'
"Whered she tell the man to drive to-"
she inquired.
Il dunno. 1 didn't hear that said the
boy.
Patsy waited for no more. Her first
thought was to try and find Dan In the
audience He knew Crawford's address
and she did not. But she reasoned that
If she went to her sweetheart she would
have to tell him the whole circumstances
And besides. he was with her parents
She decided that she had better leave MIN
out of It, Dragging him in might only
make matters worse. Yet how was she
to find out where Crawford lived? 1t oc-
CURED to her that his name might be IN
the city or telephone directory. She could
have consulted the telephone book at the
office Of the theater: but. concluding that
1t would be advisable to avoid the ONCE.
she went to a neighboring drug store
The book gave the address. sure enough
In another minute she was on car
bound uptown
1t was simply incomprehensible to her
that Nora could have gone to Crawford's
or anywhere else in her stage costume,
for she had not even slipped on her
scared by the realization that she had
committed a forgery that 1t was likely
she had lost the little sense she pos
sessed. Anything was possible after what
Nora had confessed. and, anyhow, she
was following up the only clue she had.
She was appalled, at her sisters deceit
and cunning Crawford, it was clear.
had obtained an ascendency over ner
that had lured her very near to the brink
of the abyss. She went cold at the
thought of the peril to her sister, a peril
which, with unceasing vigilance. she had
tried to guard her against into which
the girl had thrust herself under her very
nose If she was with Crawford now.
worst might happen, for he who already
had enmeshed her In the tolls would
have her in his power. and Nora was no
more capable of taking care Of herself
reached Crawford's abode she was in an
almost desperate frame Of mind herself.
Crawford had hardly closed the bed
room door on Nora when Patsy burst in
to the den. followed by Rogers. still
demonstrating.
Il knew you was in. felt sure Of it,.
said Patsy. by way of greeting. where's
my sister,"
Your sister," he repeated.
Yes. Nora. Is she here-has she been
here?"
know lowe } he answered sUms frigidly. Rogers.
has a young lady called within the last
five minutes
NO. SIR replied the valet.
That will do. Rogers
That's funny said Patsy half apollo
getically. She amt at the snow shop. L
thought sure she must a come here
Did Miss Nora say she was coming
here?" he inquired.
No" she admitted.
He shrugged his shoulders and turned
away with an air that implied tnat there
was nothing else to be said
Patsy was visibly disconnected. but she
was resolved to have it out with him
about the note and his clandestine meet
ings with Nora, even though the latter
was not there. She therefore stood her
Perhaps she went home" he sug
she did not" said Patsy, IAN 1
wouldn't be surprised if she's on her way
here
YOU wouldn't? Well. I would be-
..Why? You've been tryin' to make
dates with her after the theater an in
vitin' her out to supper. amt you? An
you've had her out 10 lunch.
Crawford wondered where she could
have learned about it. He did not at all
like the way things were turning. ..
I've invited her to supper several
times" he admitted. carelessly' but she
never would accept
'.Well, maybe she'll be here tonight
little later" said Patsy. who was recov-
erine her habitual sang froid.
Il haven't received any word that she'll
be here later" he remarked, with bored
air.
..I've a presentment-dont you call it?
she will" continued Patsy. i got TO
see her important. You don't mind If L
wait a few minutes?
oh certainly not" he said, with PLAIN
ANNOYANCE, thrusting his hands in his
rockets and looking at her in a way that
indicated that he did mind and would
much prefer her room to her company
You amt awful affable. are your OBJ
served his imperturbable visitor. Il could
use chair if it was handed me-
4 beg your pardon, Miss O'Brien-
With very bad grace he advanced
chair for her, but remained standing him.
self.
Patsy settled herself in the seat and
began to make preparations for a stay by
removing her hat
Gee I,ro tired" she said. Il done