Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-10

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avenue. but now there was no smile on
the pretty lips. A sob rose and died In
her throat behind clenched teeth. And
Them Maggie gave a convulsive clutch at
Der reticule.
"Pshawr' she muttered. and just to
think 1 had my gloves with me all the
time
In her chosen profession Maggie had
learned that If she did not protect her
own interests no one was very likely to
do It for her. which probably accounted
for her calling the next afternoon on Miss
Romans. Dressed in her new green waist.
the scarlet hat and a black alpaca skirt,
and a new pair OF white gloves Maggie
presented herself at the Allward home.
The butler received her graciously and
told her that Miss Romans was not at
home. but that his mistress had asked
him to tell any one who called that she
would return by o'clock. Maggie decid-
ed to wait and was shown into the draw
ing room.
1t was not what she had expected or
cared for. The room was unQuestiona-
OAy Aoi &C. Jul VII PiCSChtCu a
most dull appearance. The woodwork
and 1t pretty nearly all seemed to be wood
work. was very dark. and the heavy oil
paintings on the walls did little toward
relieving the general gloom. Maggie had
expected a great deal of gold decora-
ton and a handsome display of mirrors,
both Of which were totally absent. The
only things that bore the sign OF life
were a bunch of roses on little table by
the window and a bright log fire cracking
on the broad hearth. The girl walked
over to the window. shifted at the long
stemmed flowers. and then. crossing the
room again. took up her stand in front
Of the fire. In a few minutes the heavy
maroon velvet curtains. which opened on
the hall separated, and Miss Romans
came in to greet her guest. At the sight
Of Maggie she stopped. while broad
stir separated them. With look OF in
terrogation Miss Romans bowed to her
visitor.
II didn't have a card" said Maggie.
c1asping her hands behind her back. but
my name is Miss Marguerite Montmor-
ency."
Miss Romans inclined her head in the
general direction OF her guest.
Il saw you yesterday on 9Th avenue"
"Oh, yes. l remember" said Miss Ho-
mans. Il remember perfectly now having
seen you on the avenue. Well?'
well. there's some things 1 wanted to
tell you about Dave Barlow which I
thought perhaps you didn't know
Miss Romans looked up and smiled
pleasantly. THAT is hardly necessary. I
fear. Miss Montmorency. Mr.. Barlow is
is all care to know. Was that your only
object in coming to see me?''
Maggie felt the collar Of her new waist
suddenly tightening about her throat and
her hands clasped back of her swelling in
the already too tight gloves.
X X
you can't bluff me that way, Miss
Homans.' she said. catching her breath
and lowering her voice. which was trying
to scream out. You can't insult me.
know that you're rich; I know that you
wear fine clothes and that you live in a
your living. Neither did !. always. but
work for my living now-Pm an artist,
am. I'm Marguerite Montmorency-if
you doubt II go and look at the frames in
Barlow when he was only tentman and
a hoster. And before that he worked in a
stable at Bartow's, but 1 didn't care. I
took up with him and made him what he
is today in the troupe"
Miss Romans turned from her visitor
and walked toward the door.
Are you going to quit me?" said Mag
NO" answered Alice, i'm going to
ring for the man to show you to the
Maggie threw up her hand protesting
ly: Don't. for Gods sake, don't" she
whispered. You don't understand
Miss Romans stopped and turned back
fire stood the frail. pitiable figure of Mag
gle, dressed in all her garish flnery. In
her life she had known many battles-her
fiery temper was for ever getting beyond
her control. and she had many quar-.
rels with many women. But they had
answered her back with the same foul
names which she had cried out to them.
Maggie remembered even now how one
woman had struck her full In the mouth
with her open hand. But now this was
would neither answer her nor strike her
who would not even change her look of
complete indifference to anything she
might say to her. Maggie put her hands
the buttons on her gloves sank deep into
her flesh and brought her back to her sit
uation.
81 never knew a woman like you" Mag
gle muttered. You don't fight fair, you
don't"
IF you have recovered your temper"
said Miss Romans. land are quite
Don't ring that bell" Maggie broke
in: don't ring that bell You can't treat
me as If 1 was bad woman or a beggar
or book agent. You don't fight fair.
tell you"
Maggie started toward the door. and
then, when she had reached the table, the
little figure suddenly seemed to waver.
and she fell on her knees-crushed and
impotent, and throwing her arms on the
table. buried her face in her hands and
sobbed aloud.
Miss Romans for moment hesitated.
and then walked over to the window and
took the bunch of roses from the vase.
Then she went back 20 where Maggie was
kneeling and laid her hand gently on the
girls shoulder.
Come, my dear" she said-'I fear you
must be going now. Take these with
you, won't you?"
Maggie pulled herself to her feet. and
with her head lowered mechanically
reached out for the flowers. Then she
started to grope her way to the doorway.
but before she reached 1T the curtains
were separated and the servant an
nounced Mr.. Barlow.
And then Maggie heard Miss Romans
saying. as though she were quite a long
way off. Il have had a visit from little
friend of yours. She is not very we'll. /
am afraid I think, perhaps. you had