Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-16

ting IN; but l never saw anything as sweet
as that girl down there, and | suppose it's
because I've worked so hard all my life that
it don't seem right for young people that
have everything in the world just to throw
it away when the good Lord has handed it
to them It's so foolish-so blamed foolish,
MIR. Page!"
Il don't understand you at ALL" he said.
lone moment you look and talk as if you
were quite innocent, and the next it seems as
if you knew lot
Leonie smiled at him cheerfully. ANY
girl who works in this town, especially if she
is kind of good looking, has good deal of
knowledge crowded on her, whether she
wants it or not"
"How did you know was talking about
MYSELF" he asked. What do you know
about me, anyhow
Leone, in an embarrassed way, pulled up
her dropping waist. know good deal.
When | worked in Madame Clement s mani
cure parlors | used to hear the girls there
talking about you after you 60 out. There's
more gossip talked at Clements than at any
swell tea or club in New York"
What did they say at Clement 81"
They said that you were the son of James
Norton Page and that you were spoiled; but
that you were good sort in way, and
good spender and much nicer before dinner
up from the soubrettes and the showgirls
who'd come in for a shampoo or to get mani
cured
Down on the stage Warren had finished
comedy scene and had begun the verse of the
song that brought the second act to a close.
Page, with his lips drawn tight, looked over
at the rows of women's backs just behind
the comedian. swaying in long undulating
lines in time to the slow waltz music.
T1,oe II -
champagne glass between the fingers of her
small pretty hands.
Not much of reputation Page said,
and turned again to Leonie; THAT is, from
ones friends and intimates.'
She put down her glass and pushed it
slowly across the table. mot very good;
but it's lot better than what they said
about some other men. At least they gave
you credit for being on the level When you
60 West, or wherever you start again, and
you get lonely and grouchy, do you think
girls voice trailed away to nothing and she
nodded toward the stage box.
Page shook his head. Il don't know.
never thought of it that way. l don't really
know"
Miss Gordon leaned across the table and
once more touched the sleeve of his coat
with her fingertips. Il do. Can't you see?
Are you SO FOOLISH and selfish that you re
going to quit it all and break your fathers
heart, when all he asks is the chance to give
you everything you want that's decent?"
Page glanced down on the stage. "This |
acts about over" he said, and then added
bruskly, Do you mind telling me why you
should take such an interest in my affairs?"
The girl closed her eyes and sunk her
fingernails deep into the soft flesh of her
hands. 1t was as if he had suddenly struck |
her. Il don't know" she whispered. Il
don't know exactly except that all my life |
I've had to look after people,-you know,
my kid brother and sisters, and guess it s |
sort of habit. Up at home they call me the |
Little Mother, and around our neighborhood |
I'm known as Unorganized Charity, and, at |
that, I'm just little over eighteen" Once |
more she had the courage to lean across the |
table toward him. why" she urged, |
why don't you 60 back?"
Page slowly shook his head and smiled att
her. "Never!" he said. II couldn't-you
must see that. Never again, unless he asked
me-"
STRIKER loud voice called from the |
stage, and there was a sudden rush of |
hurrying footsteps.
Page looked out where the audience had