The Lamar register., 1914-06-17

"A thousand doIlars!" she exclaimed,
bswildered.
both been up all night That isn't
specially new for me. but it is to you.
and the exposure and strain show.
You are not dit to go out hunting en-
ployment"
Poverty has no choice bitterly.
The fact that am tired does not
matter"
"Oh. but 1t does! Now | am not
quite so badly Off as you suppose. All
l ask is a chance to think. to arrange
some plan. Won't you sit quietly there
until puzzle It out?''
For few moments as We sat in
silence the obvious way out never
once occurred to me. Somehow the
memory of my own position had be-
come blotted out in contemplation of
the serious predicament OF my com
panion. How could ] assist her in
spite of her pride and her determine
ton to continue the struggle alone?
! could not take her to my boarding
house. which was exclusively for men.
nor did | have any acquaintance able
to furnish her employment | showed
my hands deep into my pockets. and
my fingers touched the two bills hand
ed me by Vail. For an instant failed
to realize their Significance. and then
the recollection OF my own engage
ment came swiftly back. At first the
memory was disgust. The very pres
ence of the girl and her tale OF strug-
gle made me realize the sordidness
Of this plot In which I-sens Involved.
Somehow it struck me then as u dirty.
undetermined scheme. Yet. as re-
viewed the details. this conception
largely vanished. The feeling of re-
sentiment died away. but doubted IL
she could be made to look nj II in the
same light | glanced across to where
she sat, the gray dawn giving me
clear view. Her head rested back
upon one arm. and she was asleep.
We remained undisturbed. our settee
removed from the main pathway.
along which a few early workmen
passed. She was the very one to act
the part of Philip Henley's wife. If
she would consent Her refinement.
the clear innocence of her face. would
be convincing. and ! began already to
long for her company. Yet she would
have to be told every detail. convinc-
ed the apparent fraud was justiiiable.
rather dreaded the look in her eyes
when she first heard the proposal and
her questioning me. While I still
shining upon her face awoke her sud
denly. She Strengthened up instantly.
but her eyes smiled as they met mine.
II was asleep" she said In surprise.
For how longT'
Nearly two hours"
"And you have sat there quietly all
that timer
THAT is nothing. | was tired. but
not sleepy. Besides. had SO much
to think about"
"You mean regarding what you shall.
do with me" and she arose to her feet
1T Is time now I did something for
myself"
wait. please" and | extended my
hand. almost forcing her back upon
the settee. LET ME say word first
before you decide to go. All I told
you last night about myself is true
with one exception. have money
and profitable work in view. Seer
and ! held before her the two bills.
She gazed at them with wide open
eyes, half convinced OF some legerde-
main.
"A thousand dollarsr' she exclaim-
ed bewildered. you. Why. what
does 1t all meanT'
Yes. and $1,000 more promised
when I complete work that ought not
to require to exceed two months. J
was not without money in the restau.
rant. only I conld not ask the cashier
to change so large bill. Sit down
again, please. and let me tell you the
story"
She did SO almost reluctantly, as
though doubling my sanity, but |
could note a change in the expression
of her face as proceeded. | told 1t
slowly. carefully, pausing to explain
each detail to her question lg. yet
was not interrupted more Nhan once
or twice. Somehow, as ] thus repeat
od Tho r,ropocod scheme fO anothpr II