Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-02-20


"Florence," said Blinker as she held
him close by an arm and hand, 81 love
you"
That's what they all say" she re-
piled lightly.
81 am not one of they all" he per-
sisted Il never knew any one could
love before. / could pass my life with
you and be happy every day | am
rich. l can make things all ri"ht fer
you"
That's what they all say" said the
girl again, weaving the words into her
little reckless song.
Don't say that again" said Blinkcr
In tone that made her look at him in
frank surprise
"Why shouldn't say it," she asked
calmly. They all do"
"Who are 'theyT" he asked, jealous
for the first time in his existence.
"Why, the fellows l know"
"Do you know so many"
"Oh well, I'm not a walltlower." she
answered, with modest complacency.
"Where do you see these these men?
At your home?"
"Of course not | met them just as l
did you sometimes on the boat. some
times in the park, sometimes on the
street. I'm pretty good judge of
man. l can tell in a minute If a fellow
is one who is likely to get fresh"
what do you mean by 'freSh|"
"Why, try to kiss you-me. | mean"
'Do any of them try that" asked
Blinker, clinchimg his teeth.
"Sure. All men do You know that"
"Do you allow them?'
"Some; not many. They won't take
you out anywhere unless you do"
She turned her head and looked
searchingly at Bltnker Her eyes were
as innocent as chlld's. There was a
puzzled look in them, as though she
did not understand him.
"Nhat's wrong about my meeting
fellowS?" she asked wonderingly.
"Everything," he answered almost
savagely. why don't you entertain
live? Is 1t necessary to pick up Tom,
Dick and Harry on the streets?'
She kept her absolutely Ingenious
eyes upon his.
"If you could see the place where I
live you wouldn't ask that. | live in
Brickdust row. They call 1t that be
cause there's red dust from the bricks
crumbling over everything. I've lived
there for more than four years. There's
no place to receive company. You
can't have anybody come to your room.
What else is there to do? A girl has
got to meet the men, hasn't she?"
"Yes." he said hoarsely. "a girl has
got to met a-has got to meet the lAen."
"The first time one spoke to me on
the street." she continued Il ran home
and cried all night. But you get used
to it. l meet Il good many nice fel-
lows at church l go on rainy days
and stand in the vestibule until one
comes up with an umbrella. | wish
there was a parlOr, so | could ask you
to call, Mr. Bllnller Are you really
sure it isn't Smith, nowT'
The boat landed safely. Blinker had
a confused impression of walking with
the girl through quiet croSstown streets
until she stopped at a corner and held
out her hand.
~ live just one more block over
she said. Thank you for very pleas
ant afternoon"
Blinker muttered something and
plunged northward till he found cab.
A big gray church lOOmed slowly at
his right Blinker shook his fist at 1t
through the window.
Il gave you a thousand dollars last
week." he cried under his breath, ''and
she meets them in your very doors!
There is something wrong; there Is
something wrong"
At II the next day Blinker signed his
name thirty times with a new pen pro-
vided by Lawyer Oldport
"Now let me go to the woods" he
said surllly.
you are not looking WELL" said Law
yer Oldport. The trip will do you
good. But listen, if you will, to that
little matter of business of which |
spoke to you yesterday and also five
years ago. There are some buildings,
fifteen In number, Of which there are
new five year leases to be signed.
Your father contemplated a change in
the lease provisions, but never made it.
He intended that the parlors Of these
houses should not be subet, but that
the tenants should be allowed to use
them for reception rooms. These houses
are In the shopping district and are
mainly tenantcd by young working
girls AS it is, they are forced to seek
companionship outside. This row of
red brick
Blinker interrupted him with loud.
discordant laugh.
"Brickdust row for an even hun
dredr' he cried "And own 1t! Have
I guessed right?"
The tenants have some such name
for It," said Lawyer OldpOrt.
Blinker arose and jammed his hat
down to his eyes.
"Do what you please with It," he
said harshly. Remodel it, burn it,
raze 1t to the ground. But, man, it's
too late, I tell you. It's too late. It's
too late. It's too late"
The Joke Was on Them.