The Washington herald., 1916-05-14


VS Of richly appearing vehicles The
past three or four days had been
dismally threatening, and the lure
OF the eheery morning had appealed to hundreds
OF shoppers of the Smart Set
Mary Burnett leaned back in the cushions
OF her taxicab, and drew long breath of lux
urious enjoyment as her glance wandered back
from the scene before her to the face of her
chum, Mona Hartley, by her side.
Isn't it just-just heayenly?" she cried.
There is no more beautiful scene in the world
I ne than Fifth Avenue on a spring morning"
Mona laughed.
That is because we happen to have fairly
good purse, my dear! If you didn't have money
IN Your pocket, fancy you will find Fifth Avenue
Just the reverse of beautiful"
You growing cynical" retOrted Mary
And Just to prove to you that the store windows
have no attraction for me, I'll wait in the motor
Nhl'e you d" your shopping, and spend your
money to your hearts desire How is that? 2"
"T'ut that is Just what I'm not going to do
returned Mona, more thOughtfuIly. DO you know
dear. that ] am coming to take our work more
and more seriously? At first, I think we were
both q bit selfish in our belief that because men
h&o i"'d to wrong our sex had a right 10
n'"N" them pay the debt in any way possible
Md then when we saw just how much we could
40. and how easy II was for a woman with youth
and idir share Of good looks to snare the aver
ag' MA culine pursuer, and when we made up our
minds TO use these wea pons for the good of others
a. we'll as our own, We both had a new viewpoint
Ana II was good for Us, not to mention the
more unfortunate than ourselves But lately T
have thought we could do even more and 90 p, en-
farther. Why, we can make of ourselves soldiers
for the common good! We can be modern Joan
of Arcs"
Mona stopped, with bright flush on her
cheeks, and quite out of breath from her nm
usually long and yiEacious speech Mary SURVEYED
her wOnderingly, and then caught her hand
That is simply splendid! Why, I am proud
of You! And, of course, shall do just as you
say on are making me crazy to start. When
are We going to begin, and how?'
Mona smiled at the others enthusiasm
We will have TO wait for circumstances IN
give US the cue, as we have always done. l don't
think we shall have long to wait"
] he girl smoOthed back her hair. and straight
en'd her hat the motor came to a whirIwind
pause before the sober front of the exclusive
FarnamS Outftting Stores-one of those great
establishments Of Fifth Avenue, which never by
any chance, display to the curious public anv-
thlng so vulgar as price tag behind their mas
slVe plate-glass windows Mona wal ed her hand
TO Mary, and, crossing the walk. was ushpred
ny Hverled attendant through richly curtaincd
entrance.
Mary prepared for an indefinite wait and
settling herself more comfortably on the seat.
resumed her study of the passing throng on the
walk In the back Of her mind were still run
nIng the imPetuOus words of Mona, and the girls
face clouded thOughtfuIIy as she scanned the new
possibilities which they opened up. And then
quite suddenly she brought sharply UDrirht
and found herself bending forward tbroupb the
FetOre her. Into the CHEEKY panorama of Fifth
Avenue suggestion Of incongruous tragedy had
thrust itself.
rs Mary sat waiting outside a fashionable
dressed Young man, with a sensual. rather suDer-
G nous face. who was ambling idly down the
WI. = mad been brought to a sudden check bv
" >hd"'N youth of not more than 19 or 20
Whose Eaunt face bore striking evidence of eitber
great priNaton or great mental shock The
Youth apparently had been trailing the other
I%'haFS TRYING t" brace his shattered nerves to
me point OF an interview. Now, with his fingers
gripping an arm Of the dandy before him he
stood confronting him like some haggard Nemesis
Please. Mr.. Laidlaw, listen to me! 7 have
oeen following you for hour! ] knew YOU
wouldn't see me at your Office and | have simDIv
got to speak to vOu."
The Young man addressed as LadIaw, strup-
EIeu 9ngllIE' and one Of those crowds. which in
New J "rN seem to spring up like magic began
7" surround The pair. Mary found her view for
me moment blocked, but over the heads of the
curious "nlookers. she could hear the frcnzied
voice Of the shabby youth raised in sbriT annual
an" men the sound Of a violent struggle. Finally
an officer. attracted by the fight on the walk
came showing through. with fine disreUa rd If
me anatomy Of those who blocked his path The
"n'er Pounced upon the figure of the young man.
Mary OWNED from the sudden movement Of
the spectators that the policeman had taken the
ShaoY youth into custody, and felt swift wave
OF pity sweep through her. And then. as the
crowd parted. she with surprise that the
~u.erclIouS Young was bidding the officer 70
release his prisoner. As the officer comDIied and
the Young fellow started off, Mary raised her
'"Ic" aS She caught the wandering glance of the
Il-dre>Sed young man, who caused the commotion
Wont you please come here a moment?" she
asked, smiling down at him
The other hesitated, flushing awIIyvarIIv
Perhaps 7 can help you" Mary continued
oersuaSively, that is if you care to tell vour
story to a stranger"
The youth shuffled over to the edge of the
motor, and fumbled at his hat. On a closer view
Nary could see that his face worn to an un-
natural thinness and palIor, and that in his ewes
vas the CLINT Of either fever or desperation, or
10th.
'There-there isn't much to tell" he began.
fanmer1ng. 1T is just another case of the Loan
sharks! Dick Laidlaw-he was the | tried
0. talk tO-and his father have what they call
h" Peoples Loan Agency. And-and when nv
mother died, just after lost my job, and I had
Ter funeral expenses to pay, had to 90 to them
" borrow thermOney. l couldn't pay them when
couldn't find work, and they took all our
little furniture, and threw me into the street
ri-d to explain that it wasn't fair, that wasn't
rying to cheat them, that would pay as soon as
could, but whenever I went to their Office they
vu"ldnt see me. And so I had to wait until I