The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-12-10
CHAPTER XI.
THE WOMAN VINO TEMPTED Nm.

HI her little room during this long
interview. waiting. watchful
I'd for an opportunity to see Phil
Up alone. now entered the larger apart
ment swiftly and darted to the win
dow.
Where were they going? She look.
ed out Of the window. Would Joe
larry out his promise? She had paid
him for his service.
She saw boy run out of a door
way. speak to Philip and give him a
note.
She was all prepared for him. She
had taken off her dress and put on
soft wrapper Of yellow and black. with
her daintiest. flimsiest things under
meath and just touch of perfume.
She had let down her thick hair and
left it hanging over her shoulders.
Then she had opened a bottle Of gold
dust fluid and carefully applied little
tabs OF 1t to her arms and shoulders,
where it remained in shining blotches.
Poor Jenny, She built such high
hopes upon this primitive ruse of hers,
laid for the man whom she worshiped
and would have served so loyalty and
with devotion that asked so little in
return. This was what life had
taught her. TIE dregs through which
she had waded chung TO her. She be.
lieved that through them she could
attain her high purpose, for her love
for Philip was high and true, compact
of the noblest aspirations. the best OF
all of her.
She would not stOop to the base use
of her knowledge of Margaret's rela'
tionship. Mr.. Jackson had saved her
from that baseness, but all was fair
In love, and she was beautiful. That
weapon, given her. she would en-
ploy.
Presently the door opened. who's
there?' she called.
It's l." replied Philip. Hello! Are
you here?"
"Yes," confusedly. "I-er-I was fix
ing up the room. did not expect
YOU"
The girl came forward, walking
rather unsteadily. 81 don't feel well,
she said. 1T is sort Of dizziness
She put her hand to her eyes.
you're weak and faint" exclaimed
Philip You must sit down."
Jenny sat down obediently.
"Has Joe Caffrey been here?" asked
Philip.
"No."
"He wants to see me-"
Jenny sighed family.
want blanket around you?"
mo; I'm too hot already. Maybe
have fever" She held out her hand.
Your hand is warm" said Philip,
"but it seems all right to me-"
He drew up a chair and sat down
at her side.
I'm so unhappy, Phil" murmured
Jenny. what can | do? Tell me,
Phil. You're the only one | can turn
to. and-oh, it's awfully hard!'
81 know. Jenny, but
1--WE tried to do right, haven't /:
I've taken any old kind of work, and
God knows. So week isn't much for
q girl who's lived as ! have. Why, S.
day wouldn't pay for the flowers
used to get! Haven't l come down
and lived and worked in this rotten
place and never kicked?"
Indeed you have. Jenny. You've
been fine" said Philip earnestly.
Sometimes l ask myself what's the
use of being decent. Who caresw
1--WE all care"
Jenny smiled wistfully. do you
care. Phil? did it all for you"
You did it because it was right,
Jenny" he said gravely. but he felt
vaguely uncomfortable under her
pleading eyes.
Phil" she went on, ''you don't know
how hard my work is. This gold dust
stuff seems to eat right into me. and
l can't get il off. See here" and she
showed him the marks.
He gaZed at the gilt marks on her
neck and spoke sympathetically to her.
Jenny interrupted him.
"Phil, do you ever think Of the old
days, before was married? You said
was pretty"
"You were pretty" he answered un.
steadily. "and-and you are pretty"
How his pulses throbbed!
"Yes?" she frightened. "And. Phil
you kissed me once. I remember what
you said"
"What did say?" he falte-ed.
"You said my lips were the sweet.
est things you ever tasted"
He rose in agitation.
81 must go. Jenny" he said. I'll
can't wait"
mot yet. Phil" she begged. and
swiftly changing the ground of her
attack, she spoke OF her life with such
humble sadness that Philip. touched
and reassured, sat down again. Ii
seemed. she said, as IL an evil star
hung over her. Why should George
have been killed? If he had been
spared her everything would have
been different. And If they hadn't
taken away her little baby and let IL
die then still she would have had
something 10 live for Her voice broke
as she spoke of her baby. And II
that selfish woman hadn't left her
husband alone then. perhaps even
then. she would have kept straight.
But things had been too hard for her