New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-28

tons, medically inspect the lad for life Insur-
anCe. That's easy. If we ind one OF the stlg-
mata. the proof VIII be strong enough. Should
we find two, II 5 q positive certainty
A WEEK afterward found Naleska behind
the counter at Blooms, selling candy and
soda water dressed IN white, with pOmpadour
as big as any of those IN the shop Her bare
arms were heavy with bracelets, her language
was slangv and faCetlous. Her companion at
the counter was Miss Maverick, known to the
other employees as Bessie 1t did not take
NaleSka long TO cement friendship
Bessie Was demure little miss, who did not
by any means tell all she knew to a chance &C
quaintancc. But Nalcska asked no questions.
Her conversation was a Inunologue, apparently
artless. but cleverlv contrlved to throw the
most suspicious of her guard. She asked Bes-
sie's advice on this and that; she hshed Tor
Bessie's compliments she gave Bessie hardly
chance for a word. ! week went by without
move in the desired direction. Then NaiesHa
came to the shop with tale of misfortune, OF a
lost purse and other pathetic details. BESSIE
offered to share her own room with her. from
that moment all was easy. Ealeska gradually
talked less; Bessie gradually talked more Inc
two soon became real friends.
Valeska's first report TO Astro was sensa-
tional. What do YOU think: she announced
Bessie knows all about the Soothold affair,
and the Colonel and even the Colonels son!
One OF those mediums gave the whole thing
away to her, and tired TO get her 10 stand III
with him TO claim the he1rsh1p ol the estate
But she's the squarest little BRICK IN the world
Bessie is She's a dear; she's pure gold She
has looked up the Coloners business herself,
and is all ready to fall in love with the Colonel
SON lust for himself alone. 1t 5 gong 10 oe
easier than / thought
But how about the blrthmaTES, ASH" III
quired. ,..-. e.,
that ont ill she had little touch OF Thcu1na-
tism Then offered to rub liniment on II, and
well, she has a birthmark, something the shape
of what YOU said an angel wings.
WHAT" Astro cred
ITS true. And how about Willie MINtcrt
We'll he has a birthmark too. SAID Astro-
Valeska burst into a laugh. Thereby prov
ing that the earth IS round, or something hhe
that, doesn't 1t? Well, what to do now oon
see
You forget the opthalmosccope."
Have YOU looked at Willie's eyes:
Yes. and his optic disk IS The ordinary, nor
nal circle" -
Bessie's making good for the SoCthoid mil
ii YOU can get her up here for me to examine
" But what if, after all, I can make the match
"Oh, I spoke to the Colonel about that.
He'd be delighted He really has taken fancy
to Bessie"
Then Willie must see her"
agree And / We btC1l lHllhllIS li4'9I III
anv case Willie should be told. Ii he loses his
money. he'll have To know, anyway And see
no reason why he shouldn I know now. tie
really fine chap, a gentleman IN every sense
of the word. If know anything OF psychology,
the thing viii appeal to him as immensely TO
mantle
IT was with considerable interest. therefore
that Naleska, three days later saw Willie
Mixter enter Blooms cast his eyes about the
shop and walk toward the counter behind
which Bessie Maverick stood. She saw Bessie
blush. but the conversation was too low TO be
overheard. When the time came for the girls
TO leave the shop, instead Of Bessie's accom-
panving Naleska TO their room. she excused her
self and went of alone. Nalesba followed at a |
discreet distance In five minutes she saw Willie
Mixter overtake Bessie, and the two walked of |
like old friends.
The next day he came in again. Ealeska !
asked no questions. Bessie had grown re- |
served But she did not 90 this night either, |
10 the little dairy place where the two girls usu-
allv took their dinner. So it went on for an |
other week. Bessie seeing the rich Young fellow |
two or three times.
That next Sunday, as the two girls sat IN |
their little room on East Ioth-st.. Bessie began
to CRY. Naleska' 5 arm was about her neck i'm |
mcdiatelv, and. through her Sobs Bessie came |