Putnam patriot., 1915-01-15

 the serious predicament of my com
 panion. How could I assist her in
 spite of her pride and her determina-
 ton to continue the struggle alone2 could not take her to my boarding house. which was exclusively for men. nor did 1 have any acquaintance able
 to furnish her employment. showed
 my hands deep into my pockets. and i, my fingers touched the two bills hand ed me by Vail For an instant 1 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 piut in which was involved.
 Somehow il struck me then aS dirty. underhaudeh scheme let. as 1 re- viewed the details. this conception largely vanished The feeling Of re sentiment died away. hui | doubted If sht. could br made to lonk al it in the same light 1 glanced ;ter0SS 10 where she sat the gray dawn giving me clear view Her head rested back upon one arm. and she was asleep. We remained undsturt,ed. our settee removed from the main pathway. along which few early workmen passed She was tue 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 l began already to long for her company. Yet she would have to be told every detail. convinc- ed the apparent fraud was justitiable. rather dreaded the look in her eyes when she first heard the proposal and her questioning me. While 1 still hesitated. fearful of refusal. the sun shining upon her face awOke her sud | denly She strengthened up instantly. hut her eyes smiled as they met mine.
 s'I was asleep" she said in surprise.
 For how long:"
 Nearly two hours ''
 And you have sat there quietly all that time?"
 That Is nothing 1 was tired. but
 not sleepy Besides. l had SD much to think about
 You mean regarding what you shall l do with me and she arose to her feet.
 it is time now l did something for
 myself
 Wait please and | extended my
 hand. almost forcing her back upon
 the settee Let me say q word first
 before you decide to ge. All told you last night about myself is true. with one exception. have money and profitable work in view. SeeP and held before her the two bills. She gazed at them with wide open pyes. half convinced of some legerde main
 "A thousand dollarsr' she exclaim-
 ed bewildered You! Why. what does it all mean?' Yes. and S9.0O0 more promised when l complete work that ought not to -equire to exceed two months. was not without money in the restau- rant, only could not ask the cashier to change so large a bfn sit down again, please. and let me tell you the story"
 She did so almost reluctantly. as though doubting my sanity, but could note q change in the expression of her face as proceeded. told 1t slowly. carefully pausing to explain
 each detail to her questioning. yet was not interrupted more than once
 or twice. Somehow, as | thus repeat
 ed the proposed scheme 10 another, it
 cid not appear quite as easy or hon. orable as when l faced 1t alone.
 That's the whole story" ended. rather lamely What do you think of it?''
 II hardly know" with slow hesi- tation. Ut is very strange" She pressed one hand to her fore head. her eyes on the ground l watch ed her. an unasked question trem- bling on my lips. Suddenly she look ed up again. her cheeks flushed You were going to suggest that I go with you. were you notT' she asked swiftly. That 1 play the wife's part? Why didn't you ask it?" "Because l lacked courage" l replied frankly yet leaning eagerly toward
 
 such proposition wrongly" And you see nothing wrong in carrying out your partI You mean to go to Carrollton with some one-a wo- man?"
 Il agreed to the terms-yes." She drew long breath. her eyes upon mine.
 Then will go also" she said sober. ly and held out her hand. You mean thatf "Yes-why not? Surely it is as right for me as for you. You wished me 10 say yes did you not:' My face must have answered. as my lips failed. but she went on swiftly: Then will go: only remember 1t is acting. q mere play ill which have certain part to perform. We are to be friends throughout it all-actors on tue stage. There must be no misun- derstanding about this had recovered my voice now. realiz- ing all she meant and anxious to re- assure her
 Certainly There will be no mis- take. Mrs. Bernard. That was why l.sltated to ask you. for fear you might misinterpret my purpose. We go tonight? 1 shall need cloth ing"
 "Of course. That was what this money was advanced for. to outtit us. How much will you needf-