Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-11
CHAPTER IN.
TnR AT,wAYE

FOR ALWAYS
Once again 1t seemed TO Beatrice that
history was repeating itself. The dingy
oblong dining room, with It's mosquito
netting, stained tablecloth and hard cane
chairs, expanded until she fancied herself
| in the drawing room of Blenheim House
Between the landadies there was little
enough to choose. Mrs Raithby Law
renee, Notwithstanding her caustic tongue
and suspicious nature had at least made
some pretense at gentilitN. The woman
who faced her now-hard-featured, with
narrow, suspicious eyes and n mass OF
| florid hair-was Enthusiastically and bru'
| tally vulgar.
| whats the good of your keeping on
| saving you hope to get an engagement
next week." she demanded. with sneer
who's likely to engage you? Why,
| you've lost your color and your looks and
| your weight since you came to stay here.
| They don't want such as you In the
| chorus. And for the rest, you're too high
| and mighty, that's my opinion OF you.
| Take what you can get, and be thanK-
| ful-thats my motto. Day after day you
| tramp about tho streets with your head
in the air. and won't take this and won't
take that, and meanwhile my bill gets
bigger and bigger Now where have you
been to this morning. I should like to
know"
Beatrice. who was faint and tired,
shaking in every limb. tried TO pass out
of the room. but her qucstoner barred tho
way.
"T have been up town" she answered,
ncrvousy.
"Hear of nnythngp"
Beatrice shook her head.
Not vet. Please let me go upstairs and
lie down. I am tired and I need to rest
"And need my money" Mrs, Selma p.
Watkins declared without quitting her
position, land it's no good your going up
to your room because the doors locked v
what do YOU mean?" Beatrice faltered.
"I mean that I've done with you" the
Westinghouse keeper announced. Your
rooms locked up and the keys In my
pocket, and the sooner YOU get out of this
the better I shall be pleased
"But my boX-my clothes Beatrice
cried.
"I'll keep 'em a week for YOU" the
woman answered Bring me the money
by then and you shall have them. If
don't hear anything of YOU they'll go to
the auction mart"
Something of her old spirit fired the girl
fer moment. She was angry, and she
forgot that her knees were trembling with
fatigue that she was weak and aching
with hunger
"How dare you talk like that" she ex-
claimed. 'You shall have your money
shortly but I must have my clothes. /
cannot 20 anywhere WITHOUT tnell'
Tile woman laughed harshly.
Look here. my young lady" she said,
you'll see your box again when / see
the color of your money, and not before.
And now out you 60 please-out you go!
If you're going to make any troubles Solly
will have 10 show you the way down the
steps"
The woman had opened the door and a
colored servant, half dressed with a
broom in her hand, came slouching down
the passage. Beatrice turned and fed
out Of the greasy nosome atmosphere,
down the wooden uneven steps, out into
the ugly street. She turned toward the
nearest elevated as though by instinct,
but when she came to the bottom OF the
stairs she stopped short with a little
groan. She knew very well that she had
not nickel to pay the fare. Her pockets
were empty. All day she had eaten moth