The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-04-23
EContinued from page 2. !

ON! Helen exciolloeu auu So0u
peused a. Il flashed over her who this
sirl was. She looked ut her quickly.
Yes, probably men would consider the
woman beautiful. with that smile.
The revelation came with shock. and
she arose. trying to mask her con-
fusion.
Thank you so much for your kind
ness. I'm quite myself now and |
must 60
Her change Of race could not escape
the quick perceptions Of enc scaooled
by experience In the lights of her sex.
Times without nnu',el' ':e:Iiy Malotte
had marked that subtle. scornful
change in O;her women. and reviled
herself for hee,iiug 4. But in some
way this girls manner hurt her worst
~ all. She betrayed no sign. however.
ve a widening Of the eyes and Ger
In ixity of smile as she answered:
"I wish you would stay until you are
rested, Miss''- She paused with out
stretched hand.
Chester. My name is Helen Chester.
I'm Judge Stlllman's niece" hurried
the other, In embarrassment.
A Cherry Malotte withdrew her prof
sered hand and her face grew hard and
hateful.
"Oh! SO you are Miss Chester-and
Lsavsd your She laughed harshly.
Helen strove for calmness. I'm sor-
~ you feel that way" she said cooily.
81 appreciate your service to me-" She
moved toward tho door.
wait q moment. I 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 COM
mitting an objectionable sin By talk
ing to me. but no one will see you. and
In your code the crime He's In being
discovered. Therefore. you're quite
safe. That's what makes me an out
cast-I was found out. want you to
know, however, that. bad As am. I'm
better than you. for I'm loyal to those
that ike me. and I don't beray my
friends"
II don't pretend to understand you"
said Helen coldly.
"Oh. yes. you do! Don't assume such
innocence or course it's your role. but
you can't play II with me-" She step
ped In front Of her visitor, placing her
back against the door. while her face
service l did you just now entities me
to a privilege. suppose. and I'm going
to take advantage Of it to tell you how
badly your mask flts. Dreadfully rude
Of me, isn't itr 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
scandalized. supervirtuous airs it Of
tends me-"
LET me out"'
"I've done bad things" Cherry con-
tinued unheedingly. "but I was forced
into them usually, and 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
anybody's life?" Helen demanded hot
iy.
Bah. had you sized up at the
start, but Roy couldn't see it. Then
Struve told me what / hadn't guessed.
A bottle Of wine, woman, and that
fool will tell all he knows. It's a 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 ought
to know, for I've turned few tricks
myself. You'll pardon this little burst
Of feeling-professional piGuc. 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 Malotts accused
her Of a 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 Struve
had told her all about it-that bot
tie Of wine and 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
dark, that she was wrapped In mys-
terious woof Of secrecy. came over her
again as it had so often Of late. II
Sruve 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 we'll. she would
prove her judgment right.
She found Struye busy in his private
Office, but he leaped to his feet on her
entrance and came forward. onering