Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-18
CHAPTER X-Continued.

"Oh. no. But 1 didn't know what to do.
The girls were all asking for their money.
and I couldn't pay them. I didn't have a
cent. l just had to go to Mr.. Crawford
and ask him to help me out. I couldn't
stand it any longer. He was very kind.
He lent me the money. And now-I don't
see how ever I'll be able to pay it back.
I wish I was dead. l do
She began to whimper
How much is it?' demanded Patsy.
"Three hundred dollars" sobbed Nora.
Patsy gazed at her aghast.
Three hundred dollars" she exclaimed.
''Three hundred dollars! However could
it be so rfluch?'
1.-The girls bet S.. and at 10 to it soon
mounts up-oh, Patsy, how 1t mounted
up"
"Three hundred dollars. My God!
What's Crawford to you that he'd give
SO much money dnt axe II
me. 1t was business. He lent it to me.
signed paper. Mr.. Crawford said to
sign pops name"
"And you did? You forged his name?'
demanded Patsy, her voice trembling with
her agitation.
Forged it? No, 1 just signed-oh, my
God"
The realization that she had done some
thing terrible dawned upon her. People
thing She remembered hearing once of
a case where a young man was convicted
of having forged his fathers name on a
check. 1t had ruined his parent and
to the grave. The son. convict, driven
insane by despair and remorse. had
hanged himself to the bars of his cell
window. Yeti was clear to her now
he had done no more in forging the
check than she had in signing the prom
Use to pay.
PATSY. help me. help me! What shall
do?" she moaned. wringing her hands.
He has us in a trap said Patsy. He
can make pop pay that money. an pop
Nora Nora, what have you done!'
For a moment she was crushed and held
her head. trying to think of a way of es-
cape from the consequences of her sister s
act
I'VE must get that note back" she ex-
claimed at length. We've simply got ia
have it,
perhaps he'd give it me back" said
Nora. with sudden hope. He was very
kind. He laughed about it at the time
I'll promise to pay him when can. He's
asked me many times to take supper at
his apartments after the show. I'll &c
this very night. I'm sure he'll give it to
me-.
go to his rooms! Are you crazy? Amt
you got no gumptiOn at all?" demanded
Patsy, with angry impotence at her sis
ter's absolute inability to see the wrong
and the danger Of such step. DO you
think you can get that note without
payn' for it. an payin' dear? Don't you
understand what he wants-can't you un-
derstand-after all I've told you? No no
I'll get 1t from him. I'll go to his office
tomorrow an tell him thing or two
that'll make him sit up an see straight -
HE won't give it to you." said Nora
doubtfully., He doesn't like you. Ii
you make him angry he'll tell father
IF he makes a move like that you'll
tell pop first said Patsy. grimly.
mo. oh, no, we mustn't tell pop. He'd
never forgive me-
To Nora there was no way out of the
situation. All avenues of escape appeared
to be barred to her. Exposure and dis
grace menaced her. The whole universe
seemed to be crumbling about her.
"Oh,. why did you bring me here?" she
walled. helplessly.
She sank into a chair and. leaning her
arm on the back of it, covered her face
and burst into tears.
The reproach went to Patsys heart
like a heavy blow. She forgot that her
sister had insisted upon coming, would
listen to no circumstances and had ac-
cused her Of being selfish and jealous
when she had sought to dissuade her
She took all the blame to herself
ssNhv did I bring yoIl hora7n ho III