Evening star., 1914-12-20

chocolate. 1t seemed like a friendly hand; although
his intelligence jeercd at the contrast. Anxously
he fumbed the coins in his pocket Friday night-only
two dimes and nickel The Others must be coppers,
by the feel of the edges Tomorrow breakfast must be
eaten, and subway tickets got-wth the grim certainty
of tomorrow. But what were breakfasts and subways
tonight?
Come inside, Biy-lets have some chocolate he
suggested hoarsely. at will up bit
Billy assented with ragged smile and shyy approv
ing glance in the tall mirror she entered The refec
tion brought touch of to join the pale mauve
shadows beneath her eyes. She drank her chocolate
in pensive silence, with occasional smile in his drec
ton. Pats tensity relaxed. 1t all evil Dream
He leaned over her tenderly.
BILLY, tomorrow evening want you to"
Il can't tomorrow evening, Pat dear. l promised
MCGOWAN to meet him at the Belshazzar Theater."
"But you won't, will you?'
"Why, of course will How could I refuse, Pat?'
"Not even when l ask you?7 Pat felt the universe
crumbling beneath his feet
what would you have me do?" she went on plain
lively. at isn't my fault I've lost that three it,"
"Alarry me tomorrow
Her old smile flashed out and Knocked him. "I guess
I see myself, when you've just admitted you know
we'll as do Her light little laugh broke into half
sob. "Im really not ft!'
"Oh," said Pat conscious only that gulf had sud
denly opened at his feet with himself and Billy oppo
"Didn't you say yourself?" she demanded quickly
She finished her chocolate and fingered moment be-
side caseful of tonics. @That doesn't look so bad,
does it? If hadn't lost that three, I'd try bottle
MCGOWAN says l ought to look after my cough
"Are you coming?' Pat inquired, holding the door
with icy formaity.
"Yes-oh, yes, coming Maybe it is just
we'll, she concluded phosophically Il can't bear to
waste money medicine anyway; only this cough
They traversed the long blocks in silence the peeled
gray door the dismal side street. Billy fitted her
key in the lock and paused eXpectantly, but with no
hosptable toward the dily lit alcove she called
the parlor. The moon, true lovers moon, watch
ing her anxiousy. But for both the night was moon
less.
"You mustn't think-I don't want to, Billy she
whispered She raised eyes heavy with purple shadows
of longing Every tender of her face sought him.
but her lips denied "Maybe it is not my fault, Pat
she murnured. 4I've not had much chance, like
other girls Her eyes peered at him tragically through
the dmness.
"Billy,I can't give you up like ths!' he groaned
Billy returned his kisses gently but with preoccu-
pied air. "Goodby, Dear for time" she said at last
Il won't see you tomorrow night you know nor ever
many nights You'll have to wait till send for
you That other three
But, Billy he protested-and found himself adj
dressing the peeling gray paint of the door,
The other three To Billy it meant MCGOWAN with
his purple wastcoat and odous swagger, Bender with
his sordd mind, and the nsufferable Crowley.
UNCONSCIOUS of the cold, Pat walked through
~ the wind-swept streets. He thought of the trag
edy represented by three paltry dollars. He thought
of the of thousands to whom it meant nothng,-a
mere bagatele dinner check. And he thought of
the of thousands of souls eopardzed by this little
sum.
Billy, Billy, you don't understand 1t can't be
true-thev can't make YOU like that! You couldn't
d.