Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-30

'PATCH: SUNDAY, JULY
looking building which announced
fiamboyantly to all tho world that this
ana none other was professor Morct-
us Dancing Academy" Nor did they
know that the professor himself. ad
fised by phone of Burton's intended
visit. was watching through window.
and evidently keenly anxious that this
particular patron should arrive.
when the car stopped. Morctu
turned to n pale but strikingly hand
some girl who seemed to be- one OF his
assistants. She was discngaged Sew
eral other couples were pirouetting on
tho lwaxed floor, n fox trot being tho
Item OF the moment, but this tutoress
had clearly been kept In reserve. Mo-
retti now turned on her with n CLEAN
OF excitement In his dark, sinister
looking eyes, which, though large and
brilliant, werc set too closely together.
Hurry up" he said cmphatically.
Eush Into somo pretty clothes. This
fellow just coming In has money TO
burn. You're to be his partner, see?
Do you get me?"
The girl smiled languidly. She un-
derstood. She was merely pawn In
the game. 1t was her business to at
tract. to please. even to enticc Her
employer provided Paris frocks for
such special occasions, and paid her
fairly well into tho bargain. Tho inn
piled contract was n sordid one She
could not help that. 1t was hard
world; but she had to live.
Moretti, who could be both gracious
and superhcially distinguished in man
her when he chose, received Burton
and his secretary with much JUNCTION.
Ho rallied John playfully on neglect
he was losing money each time hc
failed TO keep an appointment.
That doesn't make any difference"
said John. indiffcrently. when you
feel YOU want II check. just let my
secretary know and he will attend to
It,"
A maid took his hat and stick. and
Moretti moved away by his side. At
that instant the door opened, and the
girl who was to act as instructreSs
came In. Charming and svelte as she
had looked in her street costume. she
was truly bcwitching in an ultra
fashionable gown. She glanced idly
from the two men to the secretary,
who happened to DO standing some
what apart.
ton dawned in her face and brakes.
1t was thus, after seven bitter years
OF separation, that Gertrude" met once
more her old-time fance. She saw the
gladness die out of the mans eyes. TO
be succeeded by dull misery and
shame that went to her womans heart.
Moving forward. with swift grace. she
held out her hand.
Joe" she whispered, 'Is IT really
you?"
Yes. Gertrude" he said sadly. Il
am overjoyed at seeing you, yet 1
n iDlr Int n ba mi
Her feminine tact came to the rescue.
''Oh, don't let us begin to weep about
the past the very moment We meet"
she said, with well-assumcd lghtness.
I'VE are both alive. anyhow, and that
is something to be thankful for"
II wonder.'
BY this time. Moretti had noticed tho
deeply interested talk between the two.
He frowncd. Johns careless remark
had enlightened him as 30 brakes
position. Smothering his annoyance.
he called Gertrude, introduced hcr to
her partner and succeeded in giving her
significant nudge.
Drake effaced himself as his employ
or whirlcd away In the dance. He went
out, and. to his surprise, found that
he frankly delighted at having
encountered Gertrude. He was walk
ing down the street, holding his head
when that same doubtful-lookinE per-
son who had noticed his departure In
the car met him face 10 face.
Drake would have passed, but tho
other stepped deliberately in front OF
him and greeted him effusiveiy. Clear
ly, the secretary was startled. He ig-
nored the outstretchcd hand. and tried
to pass on with a casual nod. But
this disreputabie acquaintance grabbed
him by the arm. and hoarse voice
murmured in his car:
sink me, Joe, II Amt tickled to
death to ind an old pal SO we'll fixed
You amt goin' TO try and put II over
that you have forgotten Wall-eyed BILL
your old side-kick. are you? Come
and have a drink. There's things you
and have to talk about"
Drake Of course. should have de-
fed this ghoul. But the fatal weak
ness In his character which had first
led TO his downfall now urged him
to temporize. He thought IL best to
yield for tho time. Some chow OF
cordially. and the gift Of a few dol
lars. might send Bill on his way re-
ioicinE. He glanced at his watch with
pret.nse Of consulting II.
Il md have fve minutes 20 spare,
BIZ" ne said. Come along! IntH
find :. saloon in SIDE street I,'s ar
much as M tob's worth " be scen
drinking in public az ,h!a hour ~ the
day"
Coin straight, chr ehuezlst nNl
That's good. that. ~. :.It, way.
I'm glad 70 hear q"
lie accornpani@t ,ns ~n:cs ~
hearty slap Oh ,he marx. h., = NE
hapless pigeon vi..ch ,his 'a:"I la!
marked az Legitimate D!t7 ctaiH r'.iY
have peered .nto IN. mans mind nc
would have found rng.s'sref 'h"r. Nc
additional comment: Yes. TrH are!
EOt II know It. anyhow."
The t~o .clcctE1 Il saloon In one
Of those doubtful neIghborhoods which
peefn 70 he associated With fashionable
fhorouYhfares in much tn" same way
that barnacles cling to ship. Drinks
we're ordered Drake insisted on pay
Ing, but Hil! did not seem to be short
NJ money. and paid tho walter.
Poor Drake tried to Impress his
companion with the responsibilities OF
hia new position. hoping that the text
go thou and do likewise" might take
root in even such unpromising SOIL
W'hen all was said and done, his heart
warmed a little to one who had been
his COMPANION In the miseries and