The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-07-10
By
Charles Tenny Jackson

Copyright 1915.
BOLTS Merrill CO

paid-and | don't want a home. II
I'm going TO be a parasite on any
snan--to clos his steps. and hold
him dowp--and think that he's 20
Ing 10 wear last years oyercoat and
rave bis nickel car fares by walk
ing. merely because he's got a
woman at homo who's got to be sup
ported.
Ciell turned grirnly TO me. Doc.
tor Dick. I'm going. have failed.
ibis voice broke-"what's the
use Of us fooling each otherf Mary
and IL
She caught his arm appealingiy,
"Clcll. you won't let me help-and
marry mcT'
You don't want 10 give Up your
apartments and good clothes and
theatres aud cabs--all the things
you buy with your own money. and
n couldn't buy you with mine
That's e. You're the most selfish,
coolest person | ever knew-you re
fuse TO make a homo for a man
when you love HIM"
Il am offering 10 make a home.
Cleil," she answered simply. I'm
fighting for my horne--for my chill.
dren-fightlng better than the old
sort OF women did. The children
we refuse 10 bring into the world
In dirt and poverty and disease
that's what We mean-we new WON.
en-, That Is the greatest love OF
all--the wisest. biggest. best
Tha, Is what ~e mean--we
women"
She had laid n ring upon tho
table. But Clell was going. ignor.
ing her and the ring entirely: and
then he stopped. facing me.
Doctor Dick. that foolish invest
meni of mine, Of my sisters money
-I-I-thank you. She"-he point.
ed his thumb back at Mary--''said
you got II and it's in the courts
hands God bless you, Doctor
Dick"
Bless you. boyl" retorted with
my fatal facility for laundering. Il
never raised that confounded money
when Mary told me yesterday.
was flat strapped. Then along
came Williams and we held him mp
seeing II was a matter of moments
before court closed"
And at that uncomfortable
stared into the silence that fell be
tween Ills all. not knowing what |
had done-the bell rang. Another
minute and Virgil Williams came
in.
You took II from Williams. Doc.
tor Dick!" retorted Cleli.
My attempt at nonchalance was
the baldest taste: Now. my dear
chap" began; but Clell had
leaped back before Mary.
THE man from Texas!" he cried
Il might have known. That's a
part OF IL. Every year-somctimes
twice year--he turns up here
and you"
BE STILL" said the Texan:
"Youl"
Clell swept around on him. n
owe you two thousand dollars"
You owe--to Doctor Rainey--
two, thousand dollars" put in
Mary, and her voice came from far
cold spaces of impersonality.
mol" Clell answered Ives.
terday--my honor-so II was called
was endangered because
couldn't account for two thousand
dollars in my little sisters property
settlement. But you-you dared
call upon this man for help about
It,"
Virgil looked at him with sud
den dangerous alertness. But Clell
was speaking TO Mary.
You wanted to break the en-.
gagement-you wanted TO. I know"
She merely shrugged Then we
were all still for a time. Clell
broke It, turning again TO the other
man.
Damn you--your meddling --your
coming here. But that's all past
l-personalIy-owe YOU two thou.
sand dollars"
AN right The other mans soft
drawl had the caress of the south
wind before the hurricane month:
"You--persoually-owe me two
thousand dollahs"