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

bio. hulking brute OF a John Leffingwel slash
ing and cutting into subjects Ike q mao giant
and selling his books by the thousand WINE
vou-poor little vou'-wear cleaned gloves and
dyed frocks and all the other outward signs OF a
useless struggle
she let her hands fall and looked up at him.
~ You think | have falleds she SAID IN a
shaking voice " You think that because there
IS q John Lefingwell IN the field there IS no
room for a Judith LEROY, Well, YOU are rlght
that's why he was born, Jim She got up sud
denly and stood before him with palms turned
outward 81 lin. the big, hulking brute whose
books sell by the thousand IS before YOU!
am John Lcffingwel,'
He stepped back and looked at her IN silence
his lips indrawn, curious pallor on his face a
queer choked feeling in his throat. On then'
of course YOU don't need me, he said with
harsh little laugh, and went back to his place
on the other Side of the table. " suppose
that's what YOU meant when YOU said i can't,
and that it seemed cowardly thing To do "eu
il was | didn I think II was in YOU
Didn't think what was IN me, I'M, ,
That sort of thIng,-the soled iTock' the
cleaned gloves, the whole atmosphere OF StrlV-
ing" ne said bitterly. You needn t have put
them on Just for the pleasure of this thing Ju;
I'd have made a fool Of myself and asked you
to come back if you had worn the robes ana
crown of a Queen. l wanted you, and could
And you thought dressed like this Just for
vour benefit, YOU funny old Dollops?" she said
with a laugh that had a shake IN 1t. ana you
don't want me after all? You are gong 10
throw me over at the last minute, Shall L
make an awful confession. Jim? This is the
only evening froCk | have to my name; ana
wear it because | haven the money TO Duy an
other Would YOU like to see John Letilng-
wells handbook? If l had it, Ia show 1t TO
YOU. His account is overdrawn.
''Oh. that's piffle ia! John Leffngwell must
have made pots of money in the last three
"Oh. well John Lefingwer is very extrava-
CANT person. she answered, with an uneasy
laugh She had got on dangerous ground and
it frightened her.
And vet has only one evening frock, and
wears cleaned gloves, What an idiot you must
think ne You must have made thousands OF
dollars What could YOU have done with it
one woman-alone''
"Oh. | spent it one way and another; and
Please don't let us talk OF 1t any more. 1t IS
getting rather late, and | am tired. If you
don't mind calling a cab for me-" reaching out
for her cloak, I'll say good night and go home.
Do YOU keep up much of an esta bhshment!
he asked, fixing her with his straight looking
eyes Does your money go in that sort of
thing? Ono it couldn't, unless YOU dressed
in accordance Where do you live
ooh, in the same little old house where we
hved-and parted she answered uneaSIly.
But what is the use of talking now when am
tireda Won't you order the cab Tor me, please
Il have rung for it, ne answered. " Wait
here minute while step out and settle the bill
| am going home with you"
She stepped back from him in a sort OF panic
and the fear in her eyes wrung him. No,
thank YOU. | don't need any escort, Jim she
said " 1t is very kind OF you; but
Il am going home with you'll" he repeated,
looking her straight in the eyes.
No, Jim, please Not tonight! To-Inor-
row, yes any time tomorrow; but not to-
night! Please, for my sakel"
Il am going home with you'll he SAID for the
third time opened the door, and walked out.