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

rosiest and most beautiful of compilations
would look livid under the stage lights.
She had had only one idea-see Crawford,
get the note Immediately and hurry back
to the theater. 1t had all seemed very
natural and easy at the moment her sud- !.
den resolution had been reached. but now
that she was at Crawford's door it was
different.
What would he think of her? She la /.
mented heipessly that she had spent the
money won for her companions and got
herself into this predicament. Patsy's
words buzzed in her ears:
Go to his rooms. Are you crazy?
Amt you got no gumption at alp" .s~
1t occurred to her that it would be bet
ter to leave it 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 certainly
be very 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 fiutter at the thought that per-
haps he loved her-perlraps one of these
days would declare his love and ask her
to marry him. She saw nothing improb-
able in this fiattering 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 ii to her: ali sorts of things
dsagreeable to herself might happen.
No. it would be better if she were TO
ask for it 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 a forger. A forger.. The terror Of
ii came full upon her again. How could
she face her parents? They were in
town-at the theater-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, de-
ceive them. be glad to see them with the
knowledge of her guilt gnawing at her
conscience? No. no, she could not do II.
1t was impossible.
The elevator was speeding upward
again. The passengers on IL were talk
ing and laughing. They might be coming
10 Mr.. Crawford's Mr. Crawford himself
might be coming with friends. Thorough
ly terrified now. she dashed for the stairs.
descended to the first bend and Shrank
into the corner behind the car as il 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 vie-
lently she heard the muffied "dring
and waited that it almost suffocated her.
In 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.
lin afraid 1--we made a mistake.
was looking for Mr.. Crawfords." she
stammered.
This is Mr.. Crawford's.' said Rogers,
suavely. Wont you walk in. madam? %
He effaced himself and, traversing
short entrance hall, she found herself in
Crawford's den.
Rogers advanced an easy chair for her
near q fire of imitation logs fed by gas
that blazad cheerfully in the fireplace.
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 waiting?"
Nora hesitated.
Just tell him that a lady wishes TO see
him and it's very important" she d.
rect ed.
Very well. madam" said Rogers. with
bow and almost imperceptible smile.
He went out. closing the door behind
him. and called up Crawford at the
hall.
Lady here wishes to see you. sir" he
said when Crawford responded.
Yes? What is her name?" he in
quired
She didn't give me any name-just told
me TO tell you that she wanted to speak
with YOU and that il WAS important"
iika--Cld. young?
Young and very pretty, sr. 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 enc minute. I'll come uo
right away.
Rogers conveyed the message to Nora.
table beside her and Withdrew.
Cfo be continued tomorrow