The Detroit times., 1914-02-18

ming else pretty much, ! coulu ho'o
up my head, but because I'm show
girl I'm supposed 90 be bad PLAIN
bad. Why. the very name is tainted
Fay. dear" Fielding said assurlh-
~. you're nervous and excited from
overwork. and you've got your rela
tive values badly mixed Tonight
we're going to have our little supper.
party. and talk IL all over quietly. Il
meet you at the stage door after tue
performance
Fay went TO the mirror thar hung
over the fireplace dried her wet eyes
with her handkerchief, and rearrang-
I'd her hair Then she turned 20
Fielding, looked frankly into his ewes.
and held out her hand.
Thank you, Porter" she said, and
her voice was quite calm again I
appreciate your asking me but ! can't
go-you must understand that II
wouldn't do for YOU IN your present
position TO be seen supping alone
with show-grl. u come back here
sometimes just 10 see how YOU are
getting on, but the old days are over.
You see, the trouble was that va
were coming TO the crossroads all the
time and we didn't know it, She
drew her hand from his and forced a
smile into her tired misty eyes
Good-by 20 you. Porter she went
on, land God bless you. and good luck
TO you Don't try TO see me for a
while, anyhow, and don't write to me
tits better that way. want 10
think things over and have time 20
forget about-about last night
He suddenly held out his arms and
took step toward her but she mo
toned him back.
"Please don't" she whispered,
please don't touch me, Porter.
You've got 10 make il as easy for me
Us you can Because, you see, you're
a man and I'm only woman, and
and | loved you. Porer-oh, good
God, how loved you"
In silent acquiescence TO her wish
Is. Fielding bowed low before her,
and Fay, her arm shielding her face,
Odd with unsteady steps. CROPPED her
way out OF the room and down the
stairs.
&Had this interview with Fay taken
mace at almost any other time IL
would, no doubt, have made much
more serious and Tasting impression
On Fielding than it\ did. II occurred.
however, at a moment when he was
completely engrossed with his own
AFFAIRS He. therefore. chose 10 re-
gard all that Fay had said as the raw
ings OF warm-hearted, very emo
tionai girl who had just made her
first appearance on the stage, and. In
= consequence, was still suffering from
an experience that Fielding was quite
willing to believe was a most nerve
racking ordeal Under the circum
stances he deemed IL best TO accept
her judgment in the matter and not
To write to her or try 10 see her
again until her nerves had been re-
Stored TO their normal condition, ana
until she was ready 10 take less
morbid view OF the future.
And there could be no question that
lie was immensely interested in his
new position, and all that 1t meant
TO him now, and would mean TO hun
hereafter. The great advantages in
! the change he had made had been
( evident at once. AT no time were the
Offices OF Lusk Brothers ever quite
free from the spirit OF gambling. The
younger members OF the firm the
clerks, even the Office boys. were for
ever talking Of tips and good
things" and trying TO pay expenses
for a sunday jaunt or present TO
girl friend Few came To invest. bnt
many 10 speculate. and the marbie
brass bound Offices were in purpose
not very different from the rooms OF
the casino AZ Monte Carlo. Even
when the market was dullest there
always seemed to be excitement here
and Fielding had but little liking for
the everlasting din the ceaseless con-
fnsion and the loud talk of the men
who hung over the ticker from 10
O'Clock in the morning until three In
the afternoon, and lived only on their
nerves and cocktails.
Al the banking house OF Wilmerding
n Wilson, there was no confusion at
all, but rather an atmosphere OF great
dignity that had been created by the
traditions OF years OF solid prosperity.
The worst panics known 10 Wall-st.
had left the big silent Offices, with
their solemn occupants unruffled. and
in times of great financial stress the
dame OF Wilmerding a Wilson had
always been among those who, ia the
hour OF imminent peril came 10 save
and never To destroy Even Mr. VII
sclf In Fielding's first duties and 70
See that he was properly started on
MS business career. The Younger
men in the Office were most courte
Gus and friendly in giving him such
assistance as they could and IL was
not only at the office but rather out.
side OF 1t that they showed their
friendly spirit. by asking him TO their
~ ,ho Iva md ls..t, d,
the country
IL was MOI. after all. very strange
that Fielding should baye at once
come into certain degree OF popn-
lprity among these new acuuaint
xnces. He was quiet, intelligent al
vays courteous. had the manly good
poks that appeal 10 both men and
vomen. was unusually good at out
door sports. and. above all. was ire
Ihendously interested in anything ant
everything that happened 10 be- goine
IN. He was learning one OF the besi
established facts IN the social life 81
New Tork-[that the unattached
Young man. attractive but poor. is al
Nays IN demand. and gets ten invita-
uons where the young man with
6illion dollars and a WIDE N fortunate
n he gets one.
In all ways these were the hes
days that Fielding had ever known
ue was happy In his work. happy Ii
Ms friends. and the pleasure he founc
n this new life, crowded with IL,
rSany interests. was only equaled by
Hs surprise that IL should have beer
rSade so easy for him. and that Il
Mould have come 10 him unasked OF
>ousht. indeed. It was probably