The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-09-10

cloudy hair was coiled in a careless
knot low on her neck
Helen watched her, fascinated. II
was glimpse into a different world,
Who was this weird, dark-eyed WON.
an? What did she do? In spite OF
her unhealthy pAllor and her shabbi-
ness, she was curiously attractive.
Now that's what | call fetching
get-up.' grinned Warren as a man
came In with SLOUGH hat, baggy cor
duroy trousers, and sandaled feet.
Sandals" Helen stared at the tan
straps over the black socks.
We've struck the real thing thit
time" with a chuckle wonder II
that's a bomb" as another newcome;
deposited box on the mantei
But 1t contained nothing more
alarming than some announcements
of a Feminist Ball." which were dis
tributed with jovial comments.
AS several were now leaving, tho
man with the Vandyke beard rose and
Hospitality announced
"A jamboree at Jimmie's tonight!
Everybody come that cant"
'Oh, don't think I'll go after all"
murmured the dark-eyed woman.
"What're you going to do?"
go back to my room and NOPE,
Ticking the ashes from her ciga
rette.
Don't be FOOL lighting his pipo
'Where're you living now"
Same place $50 Wash. ngtoh
square. It's rotten-but the ipom's
only four per. Man overhead alked
the floor all last night"
THAT was pleasant You cone on
to Iimmie's! Have a drink first.
NO. thanks. I'm not drinking So
long. Tell Jimmie my moods not
hilarious enough for his party"
Taking a quarter from her hungry
looking purse. she laid It by her plate.
reached for her hat and jacket, and
hurried out
$50 Washington square-what kind
of place was It? wondered Helen. To
what dingy, dreary room was this wo-
man returning?
II was late now, and the crowd was
gradually thinning. "Mollie'' herself
came out from the pantry. rolled down
her sleeves, took OF her apron, and
sat at one of the tables to chat. She
was tall and angular, with short, bushy
hair, and an interesting face.
Good crowd tonight, Mollie?'
Fair. Forty-eight. II they'd only
come earlier
mo. I'll pay for my own dinner.
graft on cigarettes-but not on food"
insisted girl as a man went up to
Mollie with two checks,
'TIl have to sign for mine tonight"
announced the man with the sandals
as Molle drew from a deep pocket a
bag of change
Wonder if | dare tip herr NUT
tered Warren.
But when Mollie handed him his
change. it was with friendly Good
night" and an air that plainly implied
mo tips
Outside 1t was snowing-wet, sting
ing flakes Helen shivered and held
her muff to her face as they started
down the ice-coated steps.
Wasn't it interesting7'' eagerly
taking his arm: But not at all what
expected. always thought an.
archists--"
"Oh. they're not the bomt-chucking
kind" Warren paused TO turn up HIS
collar Just an impracticable bunch,
trying to make over the world. Did
you hear that chap spouting about the
war and universal anarchy"
mo, was watching the woman OPP
posite us. Wasn't she weird? Yet"
musingly, ain way she was fascinat
ing. too. There's Washington square
just ahead, Let's walk through and
see what $50 is like"
"Some studio Joint Know what's
the matter with her-don't your"
why no. wonderingly; what do
you mean?"
Dope"
"Oh." with shudder, tightening
her hold on his arm.
They were on the south side OF the
square now, and through the swirl
ing snow Helen tried to read the
numbers over the dimly lit doorways.
1884. 3S2. 3S0-the shabbiest Of all
that shabby row. The lower windows
were dark, but there was faint light
on the third floor. The blind was up
and Helen could see the dim, I'M
shaded gas Jet and a patch OF wall
paper. 1t locked unutterably dreary
Was that her room, Was she IN
there now. trying to fight of the crav-
ing for the drug that was wrecking
her?
For fleeing second Helen had
wild impulse to dash up to that room
to tell that woman that she wanted
to help her Then, as Warren impa-
tiently drew her on, she lowered her
face In her nun and hurried along the
slippery pavement without looking
back
The whole evening had been for
Helen an Illuminating glimpse into
the careless good-fellowship, the reck-
less improvidence, and the sordidness
OF Bohemianism. And now she
pressed closer to Warren with throb
OF thankfulness that IL was a life ~