The Irish standard., 1915-08-07
fell over with astonishment. He quick

fell over with establishment. He quick.
~ recovered his usual composure.
Here's for luck" he exclaimed, spit
ting on the paper and putting it in his
pocket. wonder where'd she git it?''
Hi dunno, an it's none O. yer biz.
Mss" declared the Duke.
Il believe she had it all de time"
asseverated the Shrimp. Them vim
min is that deceitful! guess Nora
wasn't behind de door when bunko
steerin' was given out. She oughter be
in de gold brick an green goods biz.
ness. she did"
"Ho. yus. pick on a gal what's done
'onest by yer" grumbled the Duke.
"She done honest cause whyl
Cause raised howl yer could hear
from here to de Bow'ry. else she'd "a
bin givin' me molasses talk an fake
promises fer month of Sundays. She
amt the foist goil I've knowed wild a
strange hold on her conscience"
When the boys went into tea Nora
was not there to wait on them as usu.
al, but the Duke returned with light
heart to finish up his work in the sta.
bic. He was happy in that satisfaction
which the consciousness Of having done
an unusually virtuous action always
brings. which is the reward-often
times the only reward-of heavy sacri
fee made gladly in good cause. He
was elated at TIL very idea that he
had been able to render service to his
idol and save her from the conse
Quences of her own rashness. but II
was tender citation which caused a
funny feeling at his heart and led him
to sing BLACK Eyed Susan" again very
softly. The minor key of the air and
the sentimental words seemed to &C
cord with his mood.
"Oh, don't you sing nice! I never
heard you before"
The compliment came from Nora
who was standing at the door, a light.
ed lantern In her hand. 1t sent the
blood rushing to the Dukes head.
Duke" she said insinuatingly,
you're a good sort. You're not IKE
that beastly Shrimp. Will you do me 9
favor?"
do you fyvor! Why. Miss Nora
Pd-Fd-do anything in the wide
world for yer" he assured her fer
vently.
"Well." she coaxed. II want you tc
keep the Shrimp from telling mother
about that bet II you can. It won't be
for long. I win have plenty Of money
soon. I'm going away tomorrow"
Coin away-tomorrow2' He gazed
at her in blank dismay. "W-where tor
he stammered.
ITO New York. I'm going to be ar
actress. I'm going on the stage witt
Patsy"
ION the styge"
"But shall be back in a littl,
WHILE" she went on in the same coax
ing tone. land then I'll pay up. vii
you keep the Shrimp quiet until then 2
"'E's already pyed." he said.
"What do you mean. already paid 2
she asked.
"Yus, Mr.. Crawford gyve me a S. til
for drivin' i'm to the stytion. an
give 1t to the Shrimp an told i'm 1
wus from you.'
A load was lifted from her mind
She had nothing further to fear, 70
she was sure of the Duke. Her man
ner underwent an entire change.
"Then ! owe the money to you In
stead of to the Shrimp. That'll be al
right. You needn't be afraid. I'll pa,
you back"
"I'm not afraid, Miss Nora" said th
Duke sadly. But I'm sorry your
goin' to leave us-awful sorry. Th
plyce won't seem the syme."
'Well. I'm not sorry" she told him
"I'm going to be in the chorus at tn
theater and wear beautiful gowns
And won't have to slave and wait o.
lot Of dirty stable boys there"