Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-30
e. N. AND A. NJ. WILLIAMSON
CHAPTER XVIII,-Continued.

The girl laughed, self-consciously,
pleased. yet half suspicious Of the hand
some young man who had paid her the
compliment of taking off his hat. She
was not used to men who did that, even
for pretty girls like her; but then she was
not used to such men as Loveland. She
recognized the difference between him
and the others in an instant, and decided
that he was not "guying"; therefore, that
she need not hold herself stifly on guard.
Not only was he the handsomest young
man she had ever seen, but he was a
swell and swels did not patronize
Alexander the Greats. She wondered
what he wanted and why he should pose
as a friend of Bills. Evidently he had
been up all night, or he would not be in
evening dress at o'clock in the morning,
but he had not the air of having enjoyed
himself. Perhaps Bill had helped him out
Of some scrape. He looked gloomy and
savage, like some gallant and beautiful
animal driven to bay, an effect which in
terested the girl very much and made her
like him better.
Il must trespass on your hospitality
for a few minutes" Val said hastily,
until Mr.. Willing has time to help me
carry out my plans for the day. When
he's finished his work.
you amt In any ones way here, I'm
sure returned the young woman, still
cycling the mysterious stranger aloofy,
but with admiration. She put up one
plump hand and uneasily touched the
dangling hair wavers. as If she wished to
tuck them out Of sight.
"This is Miss lizzie, that I told you
about" announced Bill, in his best So
ciety manner, 1.-The boss daughter
The girl bowed. as she had seen
heroines do on being introduced to heroes
in plays at an adjacent melodramatic
theater. How often must tell you, Bill,
not to call me Miss lizzie? Miss Isidora
if you please. I hate Izzie.'' And she
glanced out of the corners Of her long
almond-shaped eyes at Loveland. You re
an actor, amt you. Mr.. Gordon" she
asked.
mo, I'm not" replied Val, stiffening
slightly
Excuse me. If I've said the wrong
thing" cooed the girl in her soft, rather
cultural tones, sweet as II she spoke with
honey in her mouth. Il didn't see how
Bill come to have a swell friend, unless
twas an actor. Bill used to be always
around the theaters before he worked for
us, SO / thought" She paused, still
gazing through dropped lashes; then
turned away with a little shrug. But
I must go. l only came down like this.
he's sick with cold. 1 told him I'd see
after things till he's better. He don't like
me foolin round in business hours, with
"a lot of men, staring and passing re-
marks" tshe threw another glance at Val,
to see If he were impressed by this ex-
clusiveness) but he feels too bad to care
today. I'll go pour myself into my glad
rags now and be down again as soon as
can
BOSS sick, is hep said Bill, who was
blackboard by indicating a lobster with
thick, scarlet strokes of fast-1ying chalk.
won't be down till by and by''
The daughter of Alexander the Great
showed her dimples. You think that
means you'll get a free meal, l guess.
When the cats away"
And has got pretty, kind kitten for
his understudy,'' Bill finished.
Well, you know I'm soft, don't you?
If you want anything, look sharp and get
it, or pa might change his mind and pop
in. Won't you have something, Mr.. Cor
DOM" she went on. Hospitality, dropping
the rough and ready manner she used
with Bill. for another attempt at initial
ing the stage heroine who was her ideal
of high-born feminine graciousness.
eff you'll trust me till afternoon for the
price Of a breakfast Val answered. try
ing to speak lightly.
.'Oh." she exclaimed. II didn't ask you to
pay. Pity If I can't invite friend to
have a meal, without any one making a
fuss. / was just guying about Bill. Be-
sides, he's different Pa throws in his
dinner and supper as part Of his pay, and
he's supposed to look out for his own
breakfast He gets good money here. I'm
sure, and If he's so soft that every old
applewoman or lame bootblack can vince
die his money off him. why that's his
business and pa says we ought to learn
him better instead of encouraging him to
go on the way he does. That's why
have to sneak him a doughnut and a cup
of coffee on the sly sometimes. But !
want you to understand I've invited you
to breakfast as gentleman friend of
mine. and I shall be real hurt if you talk
about paying"
VERY well. I'll accept your invitation
with thanks, provided you'll breakfast
with me- said Val, as gallantly as If he
| were addressing duchess-or a popular
chorus girl.
MY. couldn't do that" answered
Isidora. pad be wild If he got to know
1 eat a meal in the restaurant. We've a
parlor upstairs, she went on, with a
pretty air of Importance, land the hired
girl brings our meals, pas and mine, for
| he doesn't have his down, either, except
| when he's in hurry. and just picks UP
bite as he goes. But you'll be seeing me
soon again." she treasured Love1and. Il
shall be at the desk in pas place.
| This was her exit speech, and she made
| 1t close to the red curtain, which in an
other moment had blotted her out OF
sight. From some region beyond the
drapery now came an appetizing smell OF
| breakfast-coffee. frizzling ham and fry
irg sausages. The sulky boy. his face
shining with kitchen soap, came in with
a tray full of dishes, and red-faced.
middle-aged German followed, who stared
! with goggling. gooseberry eyes at Love-
land. the while he clawed clean cups and
| saucers from hidden cupboard.
Not fifteen minutes had passed when
Miss Alexander. alias Solomon. reappear-
| ed this time in all her glory. painting
with haste and the snugness Of her stays
Tight, yet smiling In conscious beauty.
MY. but you are got up to kill, this
morning." exclaimed Bill Willing; and
| the fair Isidora darted vexed glance at
him, for she had wanted the swell to
/ believe that this gorgeousress was her
daily toilet
She had put on a red cloth dress. which
| taurant, as well as the wearer; her bust
| was magniicently full and her waist i'm
| possibly small. She had powdered her
| olive face to q pearly wilderness. and her
black pompadour. with it's bright undula-
| lions, looked as II 1t would have scorned
| the plebeian aid Of metal hair waivers.
Now, the shows ready to begin,'' she
announced, with a smile and glance,
all, all for Loveland. And she was SO
lusciously handsome in her richly develop
ed young beauty that Val. despite the re-
volt Of his fastidiousness, admired her re-
! luctantly.
No customers had come in yet, and Isl
dora insisted that Mr.. Gordon should have
| his breakfast. Bill. she said. could 60
1 ly;% o,,I Il