The Parker post., 1912-10-19


had resolved to use him to make
Williams jealous. His good looks
were not lost on her.
The dance was cheap. The men
were cheap, the music, the move
ment The atmosphere was unwhole-
some. 1t was close and hot, and cheap
perfume made the air heavier. Mamie
and Graves swung themselves into the
waltz then in progress, and she gave
an inner gasp of relief. He could
dance! No one better! Other girls
looked at him. At the waltzs close
Williams came up, suavely, leaving
Flossie with dark look on her face.
my Dance" said he to Mamie, and
lied Save for the presence of this
big roung stranger with the girl he
would not have danced with her.
He was too sure of her The girl
moved toward him, the slightest i'm
pulse of a movement. murmuring the
mems names to each other. Both
bowed, but Graves put his arm
around Mamie, catching the step.
You're mistaken This dance is
promised me. So are all the others"
He swung away with her She tried
for moment to be angry. but could
not. Williams stood lowering a mo-
ment Flossie also had deserted him.
At the end of the music Mamie ex'
postulated. 1t would not do. He
must dance with some one else. She
would introduce him. She must dance
with some one else--just for the looks
of it! Graves led her to window
for a breath.
There. is not a man in this room
who looks fit for you to dance with.
You're nalf-exhausted, over-heated-
watch your own breathing! You
didn't take time for decent supper
Go back for your wrap-no. I'll go,
too-and we'll get something to eat.
Then if you want to come back
He wrapped the cloak about her and
together they went down the dirty
stairs to the street. Williams fol-
lowed unnoticed
1t was not more than nine. but
sudden storm was rising, dust blew
in their faces and a queer sultriness
was in the air He drew Mamie's
hand into his arm and held her close
ly. They walked a few blocks, and
the darkness deepened. She clung to
him.
Where are We--going?"
I'm trying to get on to a decent
street where | think can find a
place where | would take you for
something to eat. Mamie-is that
place any real fun to you? Is that
cad"
behind them and an angry voice
made Graves push the girl in front of
him
"C;d, am L? I'll show you"
Williams. ard an ugly bulk of man
beside him came up beside them
Graves did not slacken his speed He
pushed Mamie around a corner where
street lamp burned dimly A po-
liceman almost ran into them. A car
was coming along also. and he
stepped into position to nail it, at
the same time speaking to the Off
cer
Kelley" he said These fellows
are drunk and annoying us. Wait
till take the lady home and I'll
come down to headquarters and give
information But the two took to
their heels. the officer after them
Graves put the trembling girl on
the car, found her an inside seat, and
sat down, guarding her. He did not
speak, knowing she was on the edge
of tears. He handed the conductor
the fares and took transfers. They
would not take them near Mamie's
boarding house.
Where are we going?" Her tone
was childlike, questioning
"We," he said, emphasizing the
pronoun, :are going out to the truck
patch. to our own home. My sister
is there, and tomorrow We are to be
married Grace will take care of you
tonight There has been enough of
this sort of danger for you. Mamie
Hasn't there?" His ear was quick.
but he caught no answer. She
turned her head and looked where
Tic OuOOOA loAu Woo OCdllA6
at the car windows. Then she leaned
close against the strong arm, weari-
ness in every line of her slender
body, yielding to his demand heart
and soul
They walked five blocks past va
cant lots in a drenching rain, he in
his shirt sleeves after wrapping his
new coat about her. AS they reached
the yard where far back stood his
little brown cottage with the light
burning in the window. he drew her
very close to him.
Mamie" he said, you want to 60
with me. don't you? With all your
hearth"
She nodded her head against his
arm.
''With-all my heart" she said,
through the rain. With all my
hpa rt 80