The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-01-10
saved your She laughed barshIy.


II appreciate your service to me-" She
moved toward the door.
"Wait moment. / want to talk to
you" Then, as Helen paid no heed.
the woman burst out bitterly: "Oh,
don't be afraid! I know you are CON-
hitting an objectionable 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. l want you to
know, however that, bad as 1 am, Pm
better than you, for I'm loyal to those
that like me. and don't betray my
friends"
81 don't pretend to understand you
said Helen coldly.
ooh, 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 hooking. 1.-THE little
service did you just now entities me
to privilege, 1 suppose, and I'm going
to take advantage of 1t to tell you how
badly your mask fits. Dreadfully rude
of me, isn't it? You're in with fine
lot of crooks, and I admire the way
you've done your share Of the dirty
work, but when you assume these
sNndalized, supervirtuous airs it Of
tends me-"
LET me outv'
1--WE done bad things" Cherry con-
tinued unheedingly, "but 1 was forced
into them usually, and 1 never deliber-
ately tried to wreck mans life just
for his money"
what do you mean by saying that l
have betrayed my friends and wrecked
knybody's lfe?" Helen demanded hot
ly.
bah! I had you sized up at the
start, but Roy couldn't see it. Then
Strive told me what 1 hadn't guessed.
A bottle of wine, a woman, and that
fool will tell all he knows. It's great
game McNamara's playing, and he did
well to get you in on it, for you're
clever, your nerve is good, and your
makeup is great for the part. l ought
to know, for I've turned a 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 hu-
INFLATED to make much out of this
vicious and incoherent attack except
the fact that Cherry Malotte accused
her of part in this conspiracy which
every one seemed to believe existed.
Here again was that hint Of corrup-
ton which she encountered on all
sides. This might be merely wom-
ans jealousy and yet she said Strive
had told her all about it-that a bot
tie of wine and a pretty face would
make the lawyer disclose everything.
She could believe 1T from what she
knew and had heard of him. The
feeling that she was cropping in the
Cark, that she was wrapped in mys-
{, rious wool of secrecy, came over her
ain as it had so often of late. If
Struve talked to that other woman,
Why wouldn't he talk to her? She
paused, changing her direction to-
ward Front street, revolving rapidly
in her mind as she went her course Of
action. Cherry Malotte believed her
to be an actress. Very well, she would
prove her judgment right.
GIL l.. b.
office, but he leaped to his feet on her
entrance and came forward. offering
her a chair.
Good morning, Miss Helen. Iou
have fine color considering the night
| you passed. The judge told me all
about the affair, and let me state that
you're the Quickest girl 1 know"
She smiled grimly at the thought of
what made her cheeks glow and Ian
guidly loosened the buttons of her
| jacket.
81 suppose you're very busy, you
| lawyer man?" she inquired.
Eyes, but not too busy to attend to
anything you want"
"Oh, / didn't come on business"
Sne SAID HSnuly. WAS OUT WaihinS
and merely sauntered in"
"Well, I appreciate that all the
more" he said in an altered tone,
twisting his chair about "Pm more
than delighted" She judged she was
getting on well from the way his pro-
| fessionalism had dropped off.
Eyes, I get tired Of talking to uncle
and Mr.. Mcnamara. They treat me
| as though 1 were little girl"
when do you take the fatal step?"
| what step do you mean?"
| "Your marriage. When does 1t oc-
cur? You needn't hesitate" he added.
"McNamara told me about 1t month
| ago."
| He felt his throat gingerly at the
thought, but his eyes frightened when
she answered lightly:
81 think you are mistaken. He must
have been joking"
| For some time she led him on adroit-
ly. talking Of many things in way to
make him wonder at her new and flip
pant humor. He had never dreamed
she could be like this-so tantaliZingly
close to familiarity and yet so madden
ingIy alcof and distant. He grew bold
or in his speech.
"How are things going with us?" she