The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-01-22
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After q moments hesitation the girl
stepped to the door and spoke to the
maid. "You may return again In a
little while, maid" she said. I'm not
quite ready now" In turn she stood
with her back against the door, her
own color rising.
"Oh, don't be uneasy" said John
Rawn smiling. This is quite consid-
cradle of a hotel, taking it as 1t is.
There won't be any scandal over this"
81 don't think | understand you"
I'm going in just five minutes. But
want to say something to you In the
way of a business proposition, Miss
Delaware"
I'm sure | don't know what you
mean" Her head was high, her color
still rising.
Nothing in the least wrong. my
dear girl" said John Rawn. Its sim
ply a matter of business, as I said.
You're here as my assistant, OF course.
But did it ever occur to you that as
you stand there now, and as I stand
here, we might pass in that crowd be-
low there and not be known by any
one?"
n She stood looking at him, her color
high, undecided as to his meaning
even now as he went on.
1T would be rather a pleasant expe-
%Irience, perhaps, for you-as It would
be for me-just to mingIe with that
lBiddy throng-say, for dinner. Would
you like to be part OF 1t? It's just a
foolish thought that came to me-"
She turned to him, her eyes bright,
her face eager. Gould we, Mr.. Rawn2"
she said. I'm crazy over It'll"
II see," he commented dryly. "You
were dressing to go down to dinner?"
mo, no, / couldn't afford to do that.
of course. / couldn't go alone, and
had no company. l wasn't going
down at all. | Just dressed up-to-
to-"
Just to look at yourself in the mir
ror. isn't that 1t, Miss Delaware?"
"Yes, it's the truth" She turned
to him calmly at last, well In hand
again. Il couldn't be one of them
couldn't be like those people down be-
low, so did the best / could up here
IL dressed as much like them as /
knew how. II imaginedi /
dreamed, Mr.. Rawn. I've never known
a real evening of that sort In all my
life-but It's in my blood. | want to
leo, / want to dine, and drink, and
dance-Im mad about 1t, l know, but
it's the truth! | want what | can't
thaun vanA IN ha xvhat Tfpn MT n
don't know what's the reason. It's in
the air-maybe it's in the day, In the
sountryl"
eyes, it's in the country" said John
Rawn. Were all going a swift pace,
men and women both. / don't blame
lyou. l understand you. Now I know
what you want"
you want just about what I want"
"But Mr.. Rawn-"
TITS the same thing-it's power
that you want, just as ! do. feel 1t
n the air when | come near you. You
Feel the same way when you come
aear mel"
She nodded rapidly, her eyes mar
rowing. Eyes, it's true!" she said.
That's true"
"You want to have 1t within your
ability to influence men, just as | do,
don't you, Miss Delaware? That's
what was In your soul when you
stood before your mirror when | came
IN, wasn't II, Miss Delawaref You
want to win, to succeed, to triumph,
ion't you, Miss Delaware-you've got
inhibition? Wasn't that your dream
sn't that what you were imagining.
as you stood there and looked in your
glass;"
Yes, yes, It's true, / know i'll" she
admitted painting. Il know 1t, my
Godl yes, / can't help it! But what
chance have II"
"All sorts of chances, my dear girl
| don't make mistakes. i told you
this Is a business proposition. Now
then, tell me, why did you tog out this
way?"
II did because / had to. ! told you
| couldn't help 1t. 1t was in my blood
tonight"
ANY man waiting anywhere, Miss
Delaware?"
son M word, no! / wasn't even
going downstairs. But l told you
was mad to be in that crowd, where
the rich people are. / wanted to hear
the music, | wanted to see them
wanted to pretend for n night that
was a part of 1t ALL"
"You wanted to win-you coveted
power! Is 1t not trueg"
"Yes!" she blazed fiercely. And In
deed at that moment the room seemed
full OF some large influence, moving,
throbbing all about them.
Il wanted that" the girl admitted.
"All the world does!"
Il suppose you wanted to see some
strong man fall on his knees and beg
Of your"
YES"
II am sorry, my dear, but I'll not do
hat. But / understand. So you
searched out these glad rags and tried
zourself out before the mirror there!
Very good! You'll do! Believe me-
or ask n man in all this city"