The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-12-24
PAGE ELEVEN

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say, Mr.. Peale." she said. ',don't
you think ] got some senss of dece0cyS
And. anyhow. I wouldn't 60 after II
lesy. He'd b wise in . minute. No. cir.
stack up against men Of my own
size-ducks who think they're wise
guys. like you and your young part
ner."
"well. what IL the idea with EIsry,
thenr' Peale asked uncomfortably.
"You may not Ike him." the coun-
tess began He does seem kind Of
stuck up chap. but when you get to
know him he's q nice lid. Hes got .
car. he loves to 90 to shows. be slips
the head waiter S.. says, Bring % q
good dinner and two bottles Of 49, hs
can sign checks anywhere and he's Q
grand little companion for a lonely
dame Ike me. He looks forward TO
seeing me. He phones me every
morning and just sticks around. He
don't even try to hold my hand"
well. where do I come in?" Peals
insisted.
countess said Just don't slip Il -
him I'm a CRATER. will you. It'd buse
up the whole thing. I'll play straight
with him-just pals. You don't know
how hard IL Is for girls like me.
never had q show. I ran away from
home when I was q kid. I've been
pretty up against 1t sometimes, ana
now this boy comes along and treats
me nne. Is what I've done to other
guys to butt in and queer me: Oh.
Ambrose. don't bowl me out With H.
lery."
"Nix. nix- said Peale. pulling out
bis handkerchief.
"Give me q chance to be on the
square," went on the countess. 1T
amt easy for a girl to fight it out just
BY herself, when she's all alone. no
money. no friends and she's got TO live
live on IS a week in back room look.
in out on a brick wall and cook over
the gas Food and clothes and live on
S. per! You got lot for a good time.
haven't you: That's what had 10 do.
Say. was lonely sometimes. You've
got to be pretty smart to steer straight
But I've done it-Tve done it!'
With that she broke down and -.
gan to SWIVEL
''Now. see here. countess" said
Peale kindly. pattine her on the back.
Don't do that-don't. DON'T Then
after pause he added:
Lob. quit 1t. Keep it for some poor
boob who'll fall TOR It."
''Oh. Ambrose. don't talk like that"
said the countess tearfully.
Say. honest. it's foolish wasting it
on me. kid" said Pc. lie.
well. it's always worth trying once"
said the girl. completely changing to a
radiant smile.
Sure it Is" said Peale genially.
why. you had me winginS for a min
ute. But when you pulled that i've
a week gag / knew it was the antique
phoney stuff"
Il learned 1t from a play. Great.
isn't it: 1t always goes. But at that
I'm ON the level about Ellery. ! just
couldn't keep from drifting into ORA
mates. Do tell him I'm real French
dame"
Absolutely" said Peale. Hello. Pc
ter Piccadilly." he added. as Eliery ct
last discovered them: what brings you
to the haunts Of pleasure
He didn't wait for Ellcry's answer.
but promptly vacated the place at the
girls side and left them to each other
md their fates.
In his present mood the meeting and
the talk for all his chat only strength
ened the wings Of his black butterflies.
The sight Of Ellery Clark completed
his distaste with the whole sorry
scheme Of things. making him itch to
remold 1t nearer to his hearts desire
Ellery Clark. that pinhead. went round
with girls who trimmed him like the
countess" supplied with plenty Of
money by his doting father. while Rod
ney and Mary had to slave and worry.