The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-06-27

She was hatless and still in her the
atrical costume-a gown, like her sis
ter's, of satin deliberately trimmed with
pearl beads and glittering silver
threads, rather short n deeply decol-
lete. Her little feet. incased in satin
slippers, peeped from beneath a cloak
she had snatched from a hook and
thrown around her. She did not know
whose cloak it was and cared nothing
that It was too long for her or that it
was strongly redolent of patchouli. Her
face was still coated with the fards
and powder without which the rosiest
and most beautiful of compilations
would look livid under the stage lights.
She had had only one idea-see Craw-
ford. get the note Immediately and
seemed very natural and easy at the
moment her sudden resolution had
ben reached, but now that she was at
Crawford's door it was different.
What would he think of herr She
lamented helplessly that she had spent
the money won for her companions and
got herself into his predicament. Pat
sy's words buzzed In her ears:
Go 20 his roomsl Are you crazy?
Amt you got no gumption at all2"
1t occurred to her that 1t would be
better to leave 1t to Patsy. after all.
Patsy would get her out of trouble
somehow. There was comfort In the
thought, but Immediately there rose in
her mind an objection to this course.
If her sister saw Crawford she would
of a certainty be rude to him. This
she did not want. She liked Crawford,
liked him a good deal. and his marked
prediction for her. added to his many
kindnesses, had more than once caused
her foolish heart to hutter at the
thought that perhaps he loved her
perhaps one of these days would de-
clare his love and ask her to marry
him. She saw nothing improbable in
this fattering dream. Many chorus
girls had become the wives of rich
men. If Patsy went to him for the
note they might quarrel; he might re-
fuse to give it to her; all sorts Of
things disagreeable to herself might
happen.
No, it would be better II she were to
ask for 1t herself. She was sure he
would not refuse. He could not refuse.
1t was his fault. He had told her to
sign her fathers name-it was he who
had made her q forger. A forgeri The
terror of it came full Upon her again.
How could she face her %parents2 They
we're in town-at the theatre-waiting
to see her. They would fold her in their
arms. They would be filled with their
pride in her. How could she hide her
wrongdoing, deceive them, be glad to
- Ill.,, aritl, tla EnAruIadna nf her
guilt gnawing at her conscience2 No,
no., she could not do 1t. 1t was impos-
sible.
The elevator was speeding upward
again. The passengers on 1t were talk
ing and laughing. They might be COM
ing to Mr.. Crawford's. Mr.. Crawford
himself might be coming with friends.
Thoroughly terrified now, she dashed
for the stairs, descended to the first
bend, and shrank into the corner be-
hind the car as it shot past her. 1t did
not stop at Crawford's landing. She
leaped upstairs again and desperate,
pressed the button of the apartment
bell. Her heart beat so violently as she
heard the muffied "dring" n waited.
that it almost suffocated her.
In a few moments the door opened
and the staid Rogers appeared. Nora
had expected that Crawford would re-
spond to the bell, and she was taken
aback.
Tin afraid 1--we made a mis-
take. l was looking for Mr.. Craw-
ford's,' she stammered.
This is Mr.. Crawford's," said Rogers
~suavely. won't you walk in, madam
He effaeed himself and, traversing a
short entrance hall. she found herself
in Crawford's den"
Rogers advanced an easy chair for
her neal a fire of imitation logs fed by
gas that blazed cheerfully in the fire
place, and she sat down.
"Mr. Crawford will be here in a few
minutes, madam he said respectfully.
HE is at his club. but he told me to
communicate with him if anybody
called. Whom shall tell him is wait
ing?"
Nora hesitated.
Just tell him that a lady wishes to
see him and it's very important" she
directed.
"Very well, madam" said Rogers,
with a bow and an almost impercepti-
BILE smile.
ilt mEllA blAB AlOEliiS III WI
him, and called up Crawford at the
Athenaeum Club from a telephone in
the hall.
Lady here wishes to see YOU, sir"
he said when Crawford responded.
yes? What Is her Nance" he in
CURED.
"She didn't give me any name-just
told me to tell you that she wanted to
speak with you and that it was i'm
portant."
Important, eh? What does she look
lke-old. young?"
young and very pretty, sir. She's
dressed for dinner or the opera. | think.
Leastways, she hasn't any hat"
"That so? Well, ask her to be so kind
as to wait one minute. I'll come up
right away
Rogers conveyed the message to
Nora, put a newspaper and a book on
a small table beside her and with
drew.
Nora. left alone. began to look around
her. There was an air of luxury about
the place that was pleasing. The rug
beneath her feet was thick and soft.
With the red paper on the walls it re-
called one of the fashionable hostel
ries on Fifth avenue where he had
taken her to lunch. In the centre of the
room was a square table of ebony,
somewhat massive with ornately carved
legs. An elegant electric reading lamp
nDon II ro,pacfad with a