Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-12-09
CHAPTER II.
JENNY MORAN.

4 NO, no. sue auSWeIcu
/ hastily. Il have-l have CIV
en- up smoking. you Know
I She looked down at the trembling
hands in her lap. Her cheeks burned.
tears sprang to her eyes. Everything
seemed to remind her-and him-of
that brief past which she so regretted
for his sake. 1t was always thus when
they two were together. A chance
word innocently spoken always must
bring up what she wished that she
could forget. still more that she could
make him forget.
Now a sudden thought gave her an
added stab of pain. She had lied to
him. meanly. despicably. TO appear
worthier in his eyes she had refused
his proffered characteristic had told
him that she had given up smoking.
And under the tray before her. within
reach of his hand. lay the crushed butt
she had been enjoying with all the
eager relish of the confirmed ciga-
rette fiend at the moment Of his
knock.
Phil looked at her for little while
longer in silence. then said easily:
well. and how are things going?"
Rotten. thank you"
The man leaned forward sympathet-
ically.
Don't you feel-er-happier3 he
asked softly.
Her self control gave way. What
was the use of keeping straight? What
was her reward? Misery and unre-
Quilted love. So she burst out:
Happier? This is where | live, in
one of John J. Haggletons tenenents.
Do you see anything here to ma Ike me
happier? | get up at =. ! cook and
scrub and wash and paint these plas-
ter creatures with that stuff for ten
hours day. AT 6 cents per dozen!
Do you see anything In that to make
me happier?"
The man. unaware that he himself
was the cause of this outbreak. looked
at her in helpless distress. He was
dumfounded. He felt staggered. fright
ened. Then he said very gravely:
You must be glad that you have
given up the old life? You are doing
right. anyhow"
Doing right" she echoed scornful-
~. who cares whether l do right?"
You know we all care"
"Al? 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 or
twenty when he was broke! Oh, l
guess yes-'
She sat quiet now but for her trem-
bling fingers. nervously jerking and
twisting at her dress. and the trem-
bling Of her lips. which she bit vicious
~ with her small white teeth She
stared stoniiy before her. but her eyes
were dry. If she had only wept his
task might have been easier His I'M
Outstanding of women did not 20 be-
yond tears.
'Then." he stammered at last, t'then
it is only your promise to Liz that
makes you do this
1T isn't even that" she explained
patiently. Yes. l promised Liz that
would keep straight. but Liz is dead.
She'd never know what do, or If 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 it. Phil?'
1T certainly would. Jenny"
Il know she said gratefully, 81
know Liz died only three weeks ago,
but it seems IA year. She made us
both kneel down by her bed. | had on
big hat with red feathers. You re-
member? Then she made me promise.
and she made you promise to help
me-"
"Pll keep my promise. I'll help you"
The girl added sadly:
"Ah. If hadn't married Georgev'
Jenny"
We'll. it spoiled my life all right.
It's true My life-look at it! | say