Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-29
CHAPTER XXI.


when Patsy entered. Quiet as she had
been. Nora heard her turn the key in the
lock and advanced to meet her in
wrapper and with handkerchief tied
around her forehead
Are they here?" asked Patsy.
Eyes; don't talk loud" whispered Nora.
MONS asleep. Dams gone out to hunt
for pop.
did you beat 'em here?"
eyes"
Gee. that was luck.' said Patsy. turn
ing up the gas. II was scared green.
What you tell 'em?'
What you said-that I took sick be-
fore the show and had to come home
Ibid they say anything about me-?
Asked me if / knew where you were
I said I left you at the theater."
That's good" sighed Patsy. removing
her hat and coat.
Where have you been since you lett
me in the cab?" questioned Nora.
"Oh. I've been ridin' around on cars
tryin' to get up nerve enough 10 race pop
I'd "a given my eyetooth to a kept this
from him. It's too late now. Nom II
tell him everything
yes" assented Nora That's what's
been worrying me. What did you run to
hide from nom for? Why didn't you
have told her a story of some kind. and
II would have been all right. You weren't
like me. You had your hat and coat and
street clothes on.
II got ratified" she confessed.
Yes. and you've got us into pretty
mess haven't your grumbled Nora
You brought it all on yourself You
had no business following me. 1 won't be
Lucky did follow an find you before
ii was too late
TOO late? Stuff and nonsense! You're
always thinking bad of people: You
haven't helped me by butting in. and
you've only got yourself into trouble"
.'D'you s'pose / thought run any risk
with Dan?" demanded her sister - pose
I thought for a minute he wouldn't trust
me. wouldn't believe I was true an good.
no matter how appearance was against
me?''
'Don't you think he'll make .up?"
II don't know, an I don't care. Serves
me right. If I'd kept my promise to nom
to watch over you stead of bein, so TOOK
up with my own happiness that l let you
run around with that Simpson woman
it all needn't "a happened. I'm to blame,
an / got to pay for 1t all. that's ALL
What it serves you right for Is treat
ing me like a kid" commented Nora II
don't want to be watched over. and,
what's more, 1 won't be. I'm woman.
like you. earning my living. like you.
Don't worry on my account. can take
care of myself. There's no call for you
to do it,
That's where you're wrong" rejoined
Patsy, in unoffended tone. You amt
got no head. You couldn't take care of
Yourself If you was alone in ten-acre
field, not to talk of city full of sharks
like New York FOR so Blu, nosodg ge1n fen
.'AI right You've got all the head.
Let it go at that How are we going to
get the money for the note? That's
what I'd like to know
We'll have to save 1t out or what we
earn. There's no other way.
Couldn't you get it from DAM?
Patsy looked at her for few moments
before she replied, but there was neither
anger nor reproach In her gaze; only sor-
row and WEAKNESS.
Ask Dan Mallory for money!: she
said brokenly. "Ain't there any limit to
what You want me to do for you? ASK
p him for money! I'd scrub floors first.
She seated herself on the sofa and bent
forward. covering her eyes with her
hands.
I'm dead to the world" she murmured.
Make me a cup of coffee. will you?"
Nora went out to comply with the re-
quest AT the door she glanced around
and saw that her sister was crying
She had scarcely turned her back when
sprang up and quickly wiped her tears
away. The ring brought Mrs. O'Brien
from an inner room.
$50 we've come home. have ye! she
IL.
Patsy remained silent.
The person at the door was Mallory.
He entered and glanced at Patsy, but Of
fered no word Of greeting.
Where's Patrick" queried MIS-
.O'Brien.
II dunno" answered Mallory, throwing
his hat on a chair. He'd left the hotel.
an 1 hunted for him everywhere. but l
word at the hotel for him to come on to
the fat if he turned up again. as no doubt
he will 1 got tired of waitin. an, be-
sides, 1 thought he might a come here
by this time.
Haven't you two seen pop YET! ven
tured Patsy, timidly.
No" growled Mallory, without looking
at her.
Then / want she began, hesitat-
want phwat?" snapped her mother.
Patsy advanced toward them eagerly.
Il want you both to promise me that
YOU won't say nothin' TO him of what you
seen tonight. He'd only make a muss
, with Crawford No good 'u'd come OF
that"
koindi retorfed her mother. decisively
Dye think Oi'm goin TO lave We an
that man to yir carryin's on? Not II Ol
know it. Yir father will deal with him
You keep quiet an I'll promise never
To see Crawford again-on me honor.
she appealed.
'.Yir honor laughed her mother
harshly. "Yir honor.
Don't YOU see I'm doing this for pop s
sake?' urged Patsy. There amt no
need for him to know-tO know
The koind girl We are" broke in
her mother angriy. Dye think Ord de-
caive him as we've been decaivin' us?'
NO. there amt no need for him to
know the sort of girl am" repeated
Patsy. writhing under the cruel. I'M
merted intersection. you'll promise,
nom? It's the last thing I'll ever ask
YOU Say you will for his sake-for the
sake of rue that was dear to you once.
She appealed to Mallory In turn:
Won't you promise?
Mallory turned to Mrs. O'Brien.
1t won't do no good to tell him." he
said Its no use breaking his heart like
she's broke mine-an yours
Thin We promise never to see Craw-
ford ag'in?" demanded her mother.
Il promise. nom. An you can believe
me-" she said. earnestly.
''All right. then. / won't tell If Danny
thinks it BEST" the old woman agreed.
What lie are you goin' to frame up for
your father?" asked Mallory.
TN tell him it's all off between you an
me. an that's no lie" Patsy answered.
Mrs. o. Brien looked dubious.
Yen have to think OF somethin bet
tern a quarrel to convince yir father" .
she said Hell want some good reason
:or me takin Nora home with me-.
You're goin' to take Nora away from
me-" questioned Patsy, with wide, fright
ened eyes.
q "Phwat dye think" fiared up her
,pntEer ..D'ye s'pOSe I'd leave me baby