Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1911-11-17

at Dan and he understood-but he
didn't heed her warning; nothing
would have induced him to leave Let
ty Lane like this.
I'm not going, though, Miss Lane"
he said frankly. 1--WE got an appoint
ment with you and I'm going to stay"
AS he did so the other people in the
room took form for him: blind beg
gar with a stick In his hand, and by
his side a small child wrapped in
shawl. With relief Dan saw that
Poniotowsky was absent from the
party.
Cohen opened the box, took its con-
tents out and held up the jewels.
This" he said, indicating string Of
pearls, is all right, Miss Lane, and the
ear-drops. The rest is no good. I'll
take or leave them, as you like"
She was plainly annoyed and ex-
cited, and, as Higgins tried to lace
her, moved from her dressing-table
to the sofa in a state of agitation.
Take them or leave them, as you
Ike" she said, but give me the
money and CO."
The Jew took from his wallet a roll
Of bank notes and counted them.
"Six," he began, but she waved him
back.
Don't tell me how much 1t is.
don't want to know"
Let the other lady count it," the
Jew said. 81 don't do business that
way"
Dan, who had laid down his over
coat and hat on a chair, came quickly
forward, his hands in his pockets, and
standing in front of the Jew, he said
again:
Now you look here"
Lefty Lane threw the money down
on the dressing-table. Please" she
cried to Dan, let me have the pleas
ure Of sending this man out Of my
room. You can, 90, Cohen, and 60 in
q hurry, too"
The Jew stuffed the pearls in his
pocket and went by Dan hurriedly, as
though he feared the young man In
tended to help him. But Dan stopped
him:
Before this deal goes through
want you to tell me why you are"
Miss Lane broke in: MY gracious
Heavens! Can't | even sell my Jew
els without being bossed? What bust
ness is it of yours, Mr.. Blair? Let the
man go, and go all o, you-all Of you
Higgins, send them out"
The blind man and the child stirred
too, at this outburst. The little cir
wore miserable hat, a wreck Of 9
hat, in which shook a feather like q
broken mast. The rest of her gar
ments seemed made Of the elements
Of dirt and mud-mere flags of dis
tress, and the odor of the poor filled
the room: over the perfume and scent
and smell Of stage properties, thi:
miserable smell Of stage properties
this miserable smell held its own.
Come, Daddy" whispered the child
timidly, come along"
"Oh, no, not you, not you" Lefty
Lane said.
Job Cohen crawled out with ter
thousand pounds worth Of pearls II
his pockets, and as soon as the dool
had closed the actress took up tn,
roll Of notes.
Come here" she said to the child
Nov you can take your father to tht
home ! told you of. 1t is nice ant
comfortable-they will treat his eye
there"
Miss Lane-Miss Lanel" called thu
page boy.
Never mind that" said the actress
at is q long wait this act. / don't q
on yet"
Higgins went to the door and open
ed It and stood q moment, then dis
appeared into the side scenes.
Lefty Lane ruined the pile of bank
notes and without looking drew on
two or three bills, putting them int
the child's hands. Don't you los
them; stuff them down; this will keel
you and your father for q couple o
years. Take care Of It. You are quit,
rich now. Don't get robbed"
The child tremblngly folded tn
notes and hid them among her ragE
The tears Of happiness were strag
Cling over her face. She said finally
finding no place to stow away he
riches. 81 expect I'd best put then
in daddy's pocket"
And Dan came to her aid; takinI
the notes from her, he folded and pu
them inside the clothes Of the oil
beggar.
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