West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-09-24

NNN NSNN> ~ Shilchlng panic the
captain was shouting at the steamer
that 1t should not back on and leave
the rent exposed for the water TO en-.
ter. But the steamer tore its way ont
Ike savage sawfish and cleaved its
heartless way. full speed ahead.
The boat began TO sink az It's stern.
but moved slowly toward the SLIP
The passengers were frantic mob
unpleasant TO behold.
Blinker held Florence tightly until
the boat had righted Itself She made
no sound or sign OF fear lie stood
on n camp stool, ripped or the Stats
above his head and pulled down a
number OF life preservers. lie began
TO buckle one around Florence The
rotten canvas split and the fraudulent
granulated cork came pouring out in
stream. Florence caught n handful
OF IT and laughed gleefully.
1T looks like breakfast food" she
said. Take Il of. It's no good"
She unbuckled II and threw II on the
deck. She made Bllnker sit down and
sat 10y his side and put her hand I'm
his. "Whatn you bet we don't reach
gan 10 hum song.
And now the captain moved among
the passengers and compelled order.
The boat would undoubtedly make her
slip, he said, ana ordered the women
and children TO the bow. whore they
could land first. The boat. very low
In the water at the stern. tried gal
lantly to make his promise good
Florence" said Blinker ns she held
him close by an arm and hand, II love
you"
That's what they all say" she re
piled lightly.
Il am not one OF they ull,'" he per
sisted. II never knew any one could
love before. l could pass my llfe with
you and be happy every day. am
rich. / can make things all right for
you"
That's what they all say" said the
girl again, weaving the words into her
little reckless song.
Don't say that again." said Biinker
In tone that made her look at him In
frank surprise -
why shouldn't | say itg" she asked
calmly. "Thcy all do"
who are theyT" he asked. Jealous
for the first time in his existence.
why, the fellows | know"
"Do you know so manyf"
"Oh, well. I'm not wallhower." she
answered, with modest complacency.
Where do you see thcse-these men ?
At your homer
"Of course not. | met them tust as 4
did you-sometimes on the boat. some
times In the park. sometimes on the
street. I'm pretty good Judge of a
man. can tellin minute II fellow
Is one who is likely TO get fresh"
What do you mean by freshT"
why, try to kiss you-me, ! mean"
DO any OF them Ey thatT asked
Blinker, cinching his teeth.
Sure. All men do. You know that. A"
"Do you allow themT"
Some; not many. They won't take
you out anywhere unless you do"
She turned her head and looked
searchingly at Blinker. Her eyes were
as innocent as n chlld's. There was n
puzzled look in them, as though she
did not understand him.
WHATS wrong about my meeting
fellowsf' she asked wonderngiy.
Everything" he answered almost
savagely. "Why don't you entertain
your company in the house where YOU
live? Is It necessary to pick up Tom.
Dick and Harry on the streetsY"
She kept her absolutely ingenious
eyes upon his.
IF you could see the place where
live you wouldn't ask that. I live IN
Brickdust row. They call IT that be
cause there's red dust from the bricks
crumbllng over everything. I've lived
there for more than four years. There's
no place to receive company. You
can't have anybody come 10 your room
What else Is there TO dof A girl has
got to meet the men, hasn't shef"
Yes" he said boarsely. "a girl has
got TO met a-has got TO meet the men. ="
The first time one spoke 10 me on
the street" she continued, II ran home
and cried all night But you get used
to It, I,meet good msny nice fel-
lows at church. go on rainy days
and stand In the vestlbule until one
comes up with an umbrella. | wish
there was parlor, so ! could ask you
to call, Mr.. Bllnker. Are you really
sure It isn't Smith, nowf"
The boat landed safely. Blinker had
confused impression of walking with
the girl through quiet crosstown streets
until she stopped at a corner and held
out her hand
II 1--we just one more block over"
she safd. "Thank you for very pleas
ant afternoon"
Blinker muttered something and
plunged northward till he found n cab.
A big gray church loomed slowly at
his right Blinker s1ook his fist at II
through the window.
Il gave you q thousand dollars last
week" he cried under his breath. "aHd
she meets them I'm your very doors!
There Is something wrong: there Is
something wrong"
At II the next day Blinker signed his
name thirty times with n new pen pro
vlded by Lawyer OldpOrt.
sNow LET me go 90 the woods" he
said surllly.
you are not looking we'll" said Law.
yer OldpOTt Tho trip will do YOU
H""i. '"t hHicut Ut you WILL 10 That
little matter of business Of which ]
spoke 70 you yesterday and also Eve
years ago There are some buildings.
Fifteen TO- number, Of which there are
new Eve year leases 20 be signed.
Your father contemplated a change In
the lease provisions. but never made it.
lie intended that the parlors Of these
houses should not be sublet. but that
the tenants should be allowed 10 use
them for reception rooms. These houses
are In the shopping district and are
mainly tenantod by young working
girls. As Il *. they are forced to seek
companionshlp outside. This row OF
rod Irfrt"