Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1909-11-05


1t again and held It out to her hest
tatingly, almost unwillingly.
CRATER II.
JENNY MORAN.
"l1OU mean you don't want one?"
N rhn said. .
mo. no." she answered
hastily. Il have-l have CIV
en- up smoking. you know"
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. 10 appear
worthier In his eyes she had refused
his proffered cigarette-she 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 hend 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-
icaliy.
Don't you feel-er-happier" 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. Haggleton's tenements!
Do you see anything here to make me
happier? | get up at 9. ! cook and
scrub and wash and paint these plas-
ter creatures with that stuff for ten
hours a day! AT cents per dozen.
Do you see anything in that to make
me happierg'
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-
ly. who cares whether | do rightf"
"You know we all care"
"All? Who. all" she persisted
Does Joe Caffrey care? Nit! He'd
rather have me 60 back to the old
life so he could work me for a ten or
twenty when he was broke! Oh,
guess yesp
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 stonily before her. but her eyes
were dry. If she had only wept bis
task might have been easier. His un
Outstanding Of women did not go be
yond tears.
Then" be stammered at last, then
it is only your promise to Liz tina,
makes you do this
1T isn't even that" she explained
patiently. Yes. promised Liz that
would keep straight. but Liz is dead
Shed never know what l 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 fee
bad. That's the only reason"
: She asked softly, with infinite long
. ing:
= 1T would make you feel bad
wouldn't 1t. Philip
1T certainly would. Jenny"
huOWs Suc SdlO STdttIuIly,
know Liz died only three weeks ago
3 but 1t seems year. She made Vi
, both kneel down by her bed. l had Of
: big hat with red feathers. You re
3 member? Then she made me promise
and she made you promise to hell
. me-"
] "I'll keep my promise. I'll help you.
s The girl added sadly:
. "Ah, II hadn't married George"
4 jenny
"Well, it spoiled my life all right
It's true. My iife-look at 1t! sa
r never had a chance"
You have chance now. Jenny"
| The words aroused in her a falls
hope. Could 1t be? She leaned neare
} him. her face close to his.
you used to think me pretty" sh
, whispered. "Phil, you couldn't, 70
3 Wouldn't
r He hastily shrank back. regrettin
the impulsive action instantly. Blu
: Jenny had understood.
what fool amp she cried HOY
can you care for me when you low
! another woman? Oh. known
what do you know" he aske