The Washington times., 1911-01-12

ClOtheSllneS into the drab of the back
yard, Kate Morgan came in II was
the first time he had seen her since her
visit of a month before, though he had
called several times at her fiat, to be told
by her father that she was away at
work.
Good afternoon" she cried. and
giving kim her hand she marched in
before he could speak. Take the chair
yourself this time" she said, and sat
down on the bed, her feet hanging clear.
She wore a black tailored suit and a
heplumed hat to match. Evidently she
had just come in from walking, for the
warm color of the late October air was
In her cheeks. There was no doubt
about it this time-she was pretty. And
there was a liEhtneSS, a SaucineSS, in
her manner that had not showed off her
previous visit.
well, sir, how're you been?" she
demanded, after David had taken the
chair.
l can't exactly say I've had a cor
ner in the happiness market. You
haven't noticed any rise in quotations,
have you?"
Nope she said, swinging her feet
and David had to see that they were
very shapely and in neat patent leather
shoes, and that the ankles were very
trim. I just got back this morning.
Fow's dad been? Aid how many loans
has he struck you fOr?'
ITO be exact, he's tried seven times
and failed seven times
Good! But dads better now than
he used to be. When l first began to
go away Id leave him enough money
TO last for a week or till I'd be home
again. He always went off on a spree
never failed. So now l mail him 80
cents every day. 1t amt quite enough
10 live decent on, and at the same time
It amt quite enough to get drunk on.
See? So l guess he keeps pretty sober"
Il guess he does" said David not
quite able to restrain a smile. But
how're you been?'
Me- She shook her head with a
doleful little air. "Ive been having a
regular h of a time. I've been
nursing girl in a swell house on Fifth
avenue. It's built out of gold and dia-
monds and such stuff. The missus is
one of these society headliners. You
know the sOrt-gOOd shape, good COM
pleXion. swell dresses, and that's all.
Somebody made the dresses, her make
up box made her complexion, and her
corset made her figure. Soul, heart,
brain-pst! Once every day or two she'd d
come to the nursery just long enough
10 rub bit of her complexion on the
Children's faces. And she treated me
like to wiring her neck. But III get
square with her.
She gave a meaning jerk of her little
head, which David did not understand,
and smiled again. But what's your
luck? Got a job yet?'
Yes" David did not like to tell this
brilliantly dressed creature how low
ly his work was.
'What dOinG?"
'CIerk in a department store" he
confessed.
"How much do You make"
Oh that awful inQuisitiveness,
"Five dollars week"
She stared at him, then suddenly
leaned back and laughed. He reddcn-
ed. She Strengthened up, bent forward
till her elbows rested on her knees
and gaZed into his face.
"Five-dollarS-a- she said.
"And you a king crook" She shook
her head wOnderingly. And how DO
you like being honest at s. a week?
Hardly as well as l would at six,
he answered. trying to speak lightly.
She was silent for almost a minute
her eyes incredulOuslv on him. Mr.
David Aldrich." she remarked. slowly,
you're a fool"'
1t was his turn - stare. That's
hardly the judgment one would eX-
pect from woman who works Tor
her living"
The look of wonderment remained on
her face a few moments longer. then it
gave place to queer little smile.
Hum" She straightened up. 'D'you
mind If | SmOke?' she asked. abruptly,
drawing a silver cigarette case from
pocket of her skirt.
David was startled. The women ne
had known had not smoked. But he
said no" and accepted a cigarette
when she offered him the open box. She
struck a match, held the flame first to
him, then lighted her 9w9 cigatsttea Arc.
time I've dared smoke for month. All!
OSS She e Stared s again at David. and now
with that penetrating gaze of her last
visit. A minute passed: David grew
very uncomfortable. Then she spoke
abruptly: You're on the dead level,
The queer little smile came back. So
I work for my living. do y Wen. now
D. you suppose I keep my fiat, keep my
father, dress myself, have little money
for a good time-al! on a maids S2O
month"; z
Il don't know" David answered. "A
People around here think I've got
rich old lover" she said.
He grew sick at heart; This had been 1
his sudden fear and s9e 9ect 'UoH COY 'he
'I let 'em think so, for that explains
everything to them. But they're
wrong" The queer smile broadeneu'
W no Could I'D never guess" said David.
She leaned forward, and her voice
lowered to a whisper. You and me
were in the same trade"
What? You're a he heSlLaleu
That's it." she said. "a nurse girl
or a maid in a rich house sees a lot
Of things lying around. Or, II she
wants to, she can stay for two OF
three weeks or a HOulH, ltoi IL " ny Z
the valuabIes are kept, make plan
Of the house, get hold Of keys. Then
she gets a pal, and they clean the
place out That's me-"
There was a glow of excitement in
her eyes, and pride, and triumphant
sense of having startled him. For
moment he merely stared at her, could
make no response.
There, we know each other now,
she said, and took several puffs at her
cigarette. But amt you tired of the
honesty life at SIS PERI
mo"
you soon will be- she declared.
Then you'll go back to the old thing.
All the other boys that try the hon
esty stunt do. They're up against too
stiff a proposition. You're way out of
my class, but when you get tired
maybe 1 can put something in your
way that won't be so bad. By the
by, you amt ready for something
now, are you?' vindicttve look
came into her face. Mrs. Make-Up-
Box gets it next And she'll get it,
too
',I'm going to stick it out" said
David.
She gave a little sniff. Wen seer
Her eyes swept the room and fell upon
the little heap Of photographs and
prints living on his box of books. why
1T