The Rice belt journal., 1914-05-22

duty as a nurse. She shook her gently.
and soon was rewarded by seeing her
eyes open.
What you want?" asked the pa
tieNt.
Time to take your medicine, Clio
ria answered unblushingly. This was
only a subterfuge, and it hurt her to
receive the profuse thanks which it
evoked
How are we going to begin to make
things right down here" Gloria asked
when Little Ella had sunk back upon
her pillow,
Begin" The girl did not under
stand.
Yes, you and L Things cant go
on as they are"
"Why. begin with the boss OF
course"
Gloria could not have been stabbed
by more cruel reply.
"Ah, yes" she sighed, "but how?
That's up to you and yer pa
Little Ella recognized that the boss
was out of her sphere of influence,
yes. yes, / know. Tell me-does-
David Kerr" she spoke the name with
an effort, overcome down here
Him? Nav. We never see nothin
O. him" HIS daughter gave sigh OF
relief. we don't know nothin bout
him much We don't see him, but we
feel him. He lives alone, out in the
country"
Then can he really know"
He's man, amt he?" demanded
the woman of the streets fiercely. He
knows. but what does he care? | wisht
he had a daughter
What's that" Gloria, asked. The
manner in which Little Ella had
spoken made her catch her breath
with a feeling that was akin to dread.
Il wisht he had daughter, an that
she'd have to suffer what we down
here suffer"
Gloria held up her hand. bidding her
cease from even thinking such thing,
mo, no, no, not that
why not?" the other went on dog
gedly. Gould she be any better'n |
was oncet? tell you, I'd like to have
daughter of his here, and watch her
struggle to keep the breath in her
body"
Have you no mercy?"' begged Clio
ria.
What mercy hev had shown me
by Noonan-'cept fer his own profit?
What mercy from David Kerr?
Wouldn't he laugh to see daughter O
his in this hell-hole?" Gloria conyul-
sively covered her eyes with her hands
as If to shut out even the thought of
such a sight. Little Ella went on
| harshly, What a joke it would be!
But I'd laugh I'd watch her. the little
darling, to see that she paid the price
as I've done"
Gloria could stand it no longer.
Stop, you senseless girl. You make
a mockery of pity and compassion. It's
absurd to vent your rage upon some
thing that doesn't exist. David Kerr
has no daughter"
Little Ella accepted this answer
without question, unmindful that a
short while before her visitor had de
MED all knowledge of the man.
"a, wisht he had" she said regret
fully.
A door slammed suddenly overhead
Aren't you afraid here alone?" Clio
ria asked.
NAV. | amt scared In the daytime
an at night I'm out most O. the time.
The sound of a scuffle on the foo
above brought both women to atten
ton. There came a sudden, smotherec
cry for help which made Glorias BLOOD
run cold. Then there was heaV.
thud as if some one had been felled b!
a blow.
Whats it all about?" she cried
springing to her feet in terror.
"Nothin' Stay where You are
We're safe as long as We don opel
that door"
The sounds Of the affray grew
louder, Again came the cry for helI
Whats going on? | must know
Some ones in trouble. Didn't you hea
some one CALI"
They're maybe just foolin'.' Ell
was listening intently Don't yo
butt in
But can't stand here doing nott
ing. must see what's the matter
One could never accuse Gloria G
lack of courage She had never see
the horse she was afraid Of, and sal
boat in a heavy sea made her laug
. the more the louder the wind whistle
through the rigging Her feeling c
a personal power, inherited from her f.
8 ther, had been strongly developed Sh
had by this time overcome her frs