Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-25
CHAPTER XVI.

Feeling perfectly safe behind the door
which already had sheltered her SO ef-
fectively and familiar now with the room
Nora was seated on the bed. She was
tired OF trying to listen to the converse
ton she could not hear. except as con-
fused murmur. and having regained her
composure was waiting for Patsy TO 60
and intending to follow her at once. She
realized that Crawford had gone too far
was. dangerous. as Patsy had warned her
he was. and that 1t behooved her to be
extremely careful. She surmised that her
sister had come to get the note and. not
hearing her voice raised in anger. as
sumed that Crawford had succeeded In
modifying her. and that everything was
going along all right. She wondered at
the length of her stay, however, and was
getting impatient.
When the door opened brusquely and
Patsy. seeking refuge herself. appeared
to her startled gaze. she was too sur
prised to move. Patsy. as she closed the
door and found herself confronting Nora
was not less startled and astonished. The
supper table standing between them told
eloquently enough the tale of what had
taken place. Doubt that her sister had
fallen victim to Crawford's snares was
impossible.
Nora had risen to her feet and stood
speechless
Patsy went to her. her eyes blazing and
her teeth set.
What is this she demanded.
The girl did not, could not answer.
Speak" she ordered. but whisper
MONS in the next room"
Nom gasped Nora. If possible still
more terrified.
She raised her hand to her head in a
n Dot
furiously, and. squeezing II as In wise
twisted the arm until she forced the CIR
to her knees.
Speak. speak. I say she ordered
What is the meaning Of this?"
Let go, you are hurting me-" whis-
pered Nora. in agony. L have done MOTH
ing wrong"
Nothing wrong" Missed Patsy. trem-
bling with grief and passion. You lie
an you know you lie. You've been lynn
her the thing you are" she said:
Nora threw her arms around her knees
and clutched her frantically.
mo. no. not THAR she duplicated
think Indeed. I'm not. Don't let MON
see: OH don't!'
Il wouldn't believe you under oath. -
said Patsy. What are you dom In this
mans room? What's this here blowout
What are you dom in that dress?'
to stay. but 1 had to-
Yes. you had to stay to supper.
He'd have given it to me If you hadn't
come
you fool. Didn't tell you not to Gomez
II had to. 1 was afraid Of pop and
MON. Oh. Patsy. don't be hard on me.
/ know things look queer. but I'm good
girl
no
tell the truth. If you lie. I'll kill you
Never: it's the very first time
Swear it. by the Holy Mother.
by the Holy Mother. it's true. / wish
l may die If it amt
Swear that you amt yet gone to the
bad
Il swear it. Patsy. You can believe
me. And I'm not going to the bad ever.
You'll go in spite of yourself. in spite
Of me. in spite Of pop an nom" said
You haven't any right to say such
things" protested Nora. I've been fool
ish. perhaps. but 1 didn't mean to do
wrong
THAT'S just it. You don't mean to do
wrong, but you will-you will. God help
US.
What did you come here for-the
note?'
yes. and to see If you was here
Have you got it?"
Not yet
How did you leave the theater? i
thought you couldn't do it, leading the
chorus"
Il didn't ask When I couldn't find
you I hiked to the fat. an when l saw
you wasn't there l got bunch you'd be
fool enough to come to Crawford's. An
then / heard MONS voice an rushed in
here cause I couldn't tell her why l
was there without tellin' all. 1 wonder
what's she saying? They know we're not
at the show shop an are huntin' for us.
sure pop Hank. What's that?''
She gripped her sisters shoulder. and a
cold sweat broke out upon her brow.
.'Oh. my God.' she whispered. There S
Dan."