The Washington times., 1911-01-26
CHAPTER Xxx.

TUST before they left. Tom, who had
spied them from the kitchen, dart
ed in to their table. His appear
ance was much improved by a
haircut and a complete new outfit
which a small amount OF David's cash
and a larger amount in the Mayors
credit had enabled him 10 purchase OIL
the installment plan He shook hands
al around, unabashed by Rogers ha-
bitual reserve.
How d'you like de feed?'' he de-
manded eagerly. If anytings wrong
I'll fix it. Nuttln'? O. course not. SaV
de grub here's swell. amt 1t? T'irty
cents's lot for a dinner. but it's wort
It. We buys only de best. We cooks
II right, an we serve ii proper, wild
tableclot' an napkins D'yOu take no.
tlce .e O dem 1t amt many places you
gifts tanleClOt' and napkins?
Was your waiter all right? Shall I
call him down for anything? No? Well,
I'm glad 1 don't have to say nuttin TO
him for he's friend O. mine.
say, mebbe you t'ink it's easy to run
q place like dis. T'ink again. First
dere's what're We goin' to have today,
den dere's Gettin' it ready. den dere's
serVin' 1t, and de dishes, and Washin'
'em, an everyt' ing-it's hustle, an
worry. an t'ink from when you gifts up
till when you goes to bed" And on he
vert, picturing the responsibility under
which he tOttered
Kate was in a glow of spirits when
David and Rogers left her at her door
and she whispered appealingly to David
as they parted, Please talk with me
this way again, David"
1t had been in his mind that under
the circumstances it would be better for
Kate if they should cease to meet; but
ne frankly realized he was the only
link which held her to her new honesty
that to break their friendship would
be to snap that link, to destroy her
and so he answered, "YeS-Often.' This
was, in fact, the first of many such
evenings spent together, in which they
were often Joined by Rogers, and it
seemed to David that her cyniCism and
sharpness were beginning slowly to
wear away.
Since his talk with Helen Chambers
David's hope of cOnquertng the future
had been constantly high. He did not
underestimate the struggle before him,
ing into him since the food and shelter
had ceased to be worries, and now he
felt that under Helen'S inspiration he
could do anything. One of his aims he
bad already achieved-her respect
though that he had gained II still also
seemed to him a miracle. His heart
Nearned even more eagerly than ever
Tor something higher than friendship,
but he knew this desire to be, as al
ways, unattainable. He could not hope
for a second miracle, and one that
would sink the first to a commonplace.
Her suggestion that he should write
story of the man-making of a boy
whom surroundings had forced toward
destruction laid immediate and power
full hold upon him. He saw, as she
had said, that a story of the right
kind might contribute in some degree
toward awakening the .public's sym
pathy for and responsibility toward
the hundreds of thousands OF children
that are going to waste. And he saw.
too. that such a book might lift him
toward the worlds respect. where he
would be happier, more effective.
Selfishly, altruistically, the story
was the thing for him to do. During
the days after their talk all his spare
time, and even while he went about |
his work his imagination was impas-
sionedly shaping characters and plot !
Helen wrote that she wanted to see |
him on the following Friday, and he |
could hardly wait for the day. so Gag
er was he to ask her Judgment on |
his story's outline. When Friday |
afternoon finally came. he began to !
look for her an hour before she could |
be expected, excitedly pacing his room |
and every minute glancing through |
his window up to the sidewalk