New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-16

because We worked 50 nafO all my HE lIldl
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,
Mr.. Page!"
Il don't understand YOU at all, he said.
''One moment you look and talk as if you
were quite innocent, and the next it seems as
if you knew a lot
Leonie smiled at him cheerfu1ly. 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 l was talking about
1nvself?" he asked. What do you know
about me, anyhow?
Leonie, 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 d go out. There IS
more gossip talked at Clements than at any
swell tea or club in New York.
What did they say at Clement s:
They said that you were the son OF James
Norton Page and that you were spoiled; but
that you were a good sort IN way, and a
good spender, and much nicer before dinner
than after it. 1t was all gossip they'd picked
up from the soubrettes and the showg1rls
WHO'D come in for 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 close
Page, with his lips drawn tight, looked over
at the rows Of women's backs just behind
the comedian, swaying in long undulatlng
lines in time to the slow waltz music.
The extra girl spun the stem of her empty
champagne glass between the fingers of her
small pretty hands.
Not much of reputation, Page sad,
and turned again TO Leonle; that is, from
ones friends and intimates.
She put down her glass and pushed 1t
slowly across the table. Not very good;
but it's a lot better than what they SAID
about some other men. At least they gave
YOU credit for being on the level. When you
GO West, or wherever you start again, and
YOU get lonely and grouchy, do you think
You'll miss that crowd most, or-or- ne
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. 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 50 foolish and selfish that you're
going to quit it all and break your father
heart, when all he asks is the chance TO give
YOU everything you want that's decent
Page glanced down on the stage his
acts about over he said, and then added
bruskly, Do you mind telling me why you
should take such an interest IN my affalrst
The girl closed her eyes and sunk her
fingernails deep into the soft flesh OF her
lands. 1t was as if he had suddenly struck
her. Il don't know" she whispered. 81
don't know exactly, except that all my lie
I've had to look after people, know
my kid brother and sisters, and guess II
a sort of habit Up "a home they call me the
Little Mother, and around our neighborhood
I'm known as Unorganized Charity, and, at
that. I'm Just a little over eighteen" Once
more she had the courage to lean across the
table toward him. Why" she urged
why don't you go back:
page slowly shook his head and smiled at
her -Neverl'' he said. II couldn't-you
must see that. Never again, unless he asked
me-"
STRIKE!" Il loud voice called ts from the