Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-11-12


reach of his hand, lay the crushed out
she had been enjoying with all tn
eager relish of the confirmed cigs
rette fiend at the moment OF nj
knock.
Phil looked at her for a little Will
longer in silence. then said easily:
We'll. and how are things going"
Rotten. thank you"
The man leaned forward sympathe'
ically.
Don't you feel-er-happier" b
asked softly.
Her self control gave way. VIVA
was the use of keeping straight? Wha
was her reward? Misery and unre
Quilted love. SO she burst out:
Happier? This is where ! live. II
one of John J. Haggleton's tenements
Do you see anything here TO make M
happier? | get up at u. cook ant
scrub and wash and paint these plas
ter creatures with that stuff for tel
hours day. At 6 cents per dozen
Do you see anything In that 10 max,
me happier?"
The man. unaware that he himsel
was the cause Of this outbreak, looked
at her IN helpless distress. He wal
dumfounded. He.felt staggered, fright
ened. Then he said very gravely:
You must he glad that you have
given up the old life? You are doing
right. anyhow"
Doing right she echoed scornful
ly. WHO cares whether do rightT
You know We all care"
"All? Who. all?" she persisted
Does Joe Caffrey care? Nit. He'd
rather have me go back to the old
life so he could work me for a ten oil
twenty wheu he was broke. Oh.
guess yes!
She sat quiet now but for her trem
bling fingers. neryOusly jerking aud
twisting at her dress. and the trem'
bling of her lips. which she bit vicious
ly with her small white teeth. She
stared stonliy before her. but her eyes
were dry. II she had only wept his
task might have been easier. His un.
Outstanding of women did not 60 be-
yond tears.
Then he stammered at last. then
it is only your promise TO Liz that
makes you do this!'
1T isn't even that" she explained
patiently. Yes. promised LIZ that
would keep straight. but Liz is dead.
She'd never know what do, or II she
did know she would see that this life
is too hard for me-"
She looked around the miserable
bare room and continued:
THE only thing that keeps me from
going back
Don't say that"
Its true. Phil; it's true. The only
thing is don't want to make you feel
bad. That's the only reason"
She asked softly. with infinite long
ing:
1T would make you feel bad.
wouldn't 1t. PhilT'
1T certainly would. Jenny"
Il know" she said gratefully. II
know Liz died only three weeks ago.
but it seems q year. She made ia
both kneel down by her bed. had or
big hat with red feathers. You re-
member? Then she made me promise
and she made you promise to help
me-"
"I'll keep my promise. I'll help you
The girl aided sadly:
"Ah. II | hadn't married George"
Jenny:
We'll, 1t spoiled my life all right
lis true. Ny life--look at IL. say
| never had chance"
You have chance now. Jenny"
The words aroused In her a false
hope. Could It be? She leaned nearer
him. her face close to his.
You used to think me pretty" She
whispered Phil. you couldn't. yor
Wouldn't
lie hastily shrank back. reGrettinT
the impulsivp action instantly. Ru'
Jenny had understood.
What a fool am" she cried. How
can you care for me when you love
another woman? Oh. know
What do you know" he asked
sternly, rising.
IL know that you are struck on thai
girl-that trained nurse at the board
Ing house"
Miss Lawrence. Who told yoI,T'
mo one has told me. | am a WON
an"
She glanced at him searchingly and
read the truth In his face. Controlling
the pain ut her heart. hiding the desc
lation that had suddenly blighted her
life, she asked question after question
bravely taking each blow.
Have you asked her yet? Did you
ask her last night? And she said
'Yes:' | want you to be happy. Phil
congratulate you"
She. too. had risen. She was pale.
hut quiet.
"You won't be different with me
now that you are In lover r
"Of course not. Jenny"
He held out his hand. which she
shock Loyalty. She added patbetlcally:
Because that's all | have in TIE
world-your friendship. Phil
A step was heard on the stair. II
approached the door.
"Here she is," said the diver, his
eyes alight with joy.
The door opened, to admit Margaret
Lawrence. her neat nurses uniform
partly hidden under dark coat.
She was not so tall as Jenny. The
.wo women formed. indeed. a strik-
ny contrast. Margaret was dark and
healthy looking. carried herself well
~