The Detroit times., 1914-02-26

enough to 60 just because had moth
Ing else 70 do. ! Am only asking you
because I thought that you might hear
Of Il and think perhaps ] had forgot'
ten you. 1t MAJ sound tnhospttable.
but hope you wont come. You don't
belong to this kind Of Q party ana
never did. l iAvited Doris over the
telephone In much the same genial
strain In which am writing this. and
she seemed glad to refuse. ! am hop
ing that you will agree with her. As
ever. sincerely yours,
\ JAMES ALEXANDER STUART.
IN. B. In case you should decide
to 90 I'll have cab waiting for you
at your stage door,"
Fay looked up at Doris, and their
eyes met.
TITS an invitation to Stuart's party
Fay said. You're not going?'
Doris shook her head.
mot for me-" she laughed. "Not
when the man who Is giving the party
warns you on. like something good
to eat and dance o. well - ony one.
but not at that price. From here II
looks Nike one Of those things. You're
not going. are you, Fay?'
Fay hesltated and slowly put the let.
ter hack into It's envelope. YES,
she said. Il was thinking OF it,"
There was q moments silence. dur
ing which Mr.. Hooker regarded Fay
solemnly over the rims Of his spec
tacles and Doris drew her thin lips
into q hard straight line.
"Why. Fay" she asked.
Fay shrugged her shoulders why
not? I've had change of heart
Doris. I'm going back to the dances
and the suppers and to all the fun =
can squeeze ou. OF this miserable life
you and I lead. I'm tired of being
good AMI virtuous and forgiving. the
worst supperpayty, or dance or wnat-
ever Il is, II none too good for me
now"
Doris made no answer, but started
| 20 eat her supper FAy's depressed
mood quickly spread to the others and
| the three fellow boarders finished their
| humble meal Ia gloomy silence. When
! the supper was over Fay went to her
bedroom and changed to the only
dress she owned that was at all possi-
| BILE 70 wear at Stuart's party. II was
| lthreadworn and crumpled and. In al
ways. inadequate 10 the occasion, but
! NO one appreciated this fact better
than Fay herself She knew that
among the clothes Of the other women
her own dress would be unfortunately
conspicuous no. only on account OF
its simplicity, hut the condition to
which long ana hard service had re-
daced 4. Her eas pair Of long gloves
was far from fresh, aud her white
satin sltppers were frayed and soaled.
but needless OF her appearance a
Weli a OF all the consequences 20
which the party might lead, she dog
sedly oboyod the impulse that seemed
for the moment to control her and TO
drive har ON. When she was fully
Creased she put ON long coat and.
with Doris. started downtown. 1t was
: gloomy. silent ride they had togetn-
ar IN the subway. and both OF them
were clad when It was at an end. FOR
the nrst time since they had known
each other . barrier seemed to have
risen between them. and for the nrst
time. neither Of them could speak tne
truth which WAS In their hearts.
Fay reached he theater at ner res-
ular hour. but crossing the stage on
her way to her dressing-room she met
Morley. who, at least 90 Il seemed 70
Fsy, had bsen waiting Tor her.
Miss Clayton. he said. you
wsrsn't 1t the matinee. Why?" !.
Fay knew that she probably wouid
have trouble on account OF her 40.
oeuco, but her brain had been nueo
with other things, and she had SVEN
L M matter but little thought. Some.
how. her mind bad seemed as indi3er'
sut 10 this - Il had =" everything eIse.
but now the trouble was upon her. ana
very much sooner than she had ex'
pocted.
si'm afraid l have no excuse" she
said weakly.
.Do you mean to tell me-" Morley
demanded. ''that you weren't sick
that you have no doctors certincato
Fay looked At him with scared, ter
riAed eyes.
.Nothing,~ she repeated. There's
no reason that can give you.
BY way Of answer Morley shru9ged
his heavy shoulders and started across
the stage. but when he had gone but
. few steps, he stopped again.
And. Miss Clayton" he called 20
her, think I'll give you yoaf tw0
weeks notice now. You needn't 80 on
after tonight. You can stop In ae my
once any day next week and get your
salary" ~.
Fhy swung about. but with . great
efIort she checked the now OF words
that sprang to her lips and which sne
wanted TO huri al the big burly ngure
retreating across the dimly-iignteu.
staee. II was her last chance to tell
6Im All the th0ught Of him and the
nrofossion he disnOnored. For months
~ HAD watched him. and his man.
0edlsy, trade opportunity on the stase
for such favors ~ the women OF tne
COMPANY would grant them; DuIine
all this time She had seen ability anu
hard work overlooked and pretty faces
and easy morals pushed 10 tne iore.
from the day that she had ignored
Nay Lusk, had definitely refused 20
accept his hospitality. and be seen
With him in public places, sne nsu
fallen into disfavor. From that mo
SNOW: