The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-04
Plot by George Bronson HOlUQrtl, NOuelizat

her painting things, went to the museum Har
WAS not there when she arrived, but after s
had wandered about for time, enjoying the q
portunity to look at the pictures, she saw hi
in and take his place before the Mon,
Wanna. She waited little longer, and then we
up 10 him, rather timdlv
"Oh, beg your pardon rs she said. "I wo
der-would you mind very much II l sat here al
copied the picture, too?"
He turned to her with a faint start of a
noyance. But she was pretty enough to disar
him at once. However, il was in a rather I'M
gracious tone that he replied
ut is not my picture, my dear young
lady he said. You anyone else can come
here and copy any picture you like"
Despite this rather rude beginning, they
chatting amcably.
Mary, meanwhile, had also been at work
She had taken out from the trunk the two old
pieces of jewelry that Mona had found and
cleaned them, although she did not clean them
well TO make them look too new. And
with these she went to the shop of Melnotte.
She was lucky enough to find Melnotte olsen
gagged He sized her up at once, from her timid,
Indifferent manner, as a woman in distress,
and, because she was good looking, attended
to her himself
II want to borrow something on these,
II you please she said, laying her triAes be-
fore him. He picked them up, shifted and then
pushed them back to her.
For heavens sake-what do you bring
stuff like this FORE" he asked, contemptu-
ously This Is nothing but junk you've got,
my dear And this isn't pawn shopl We buy
and of course, for good customer, we will
sometimes arrange loan"
Mary looked at him piteously. And then,
as she picked up the pin and the bracelet she
began to weep.
"Oh--oh! !" she sobbed. what am to do?
What am to do? l have nothing else left
and you say these are worthless : Oh I don't
know what to do have got to have money,
or I'll be put out of my room r!
Melnotte was a pretty thorough paced
scoundrel but he had streak of sentiment In
him that made him sorry for Mary. He might
have conquered that and have hardened his
heart If she hadn't been so unusually attrac-
tive. But the whole thing too much for
him. He may have had vague idea that If
he put pretty a girl under obligations to
him he might make her like him well enough
to be rather nice to him later. SO he came
around the counter and took another look at
her offering.
"Wen, now, I'll tell you. young lady"
said. II ought not to have said this was iur
It's old stuff and l suppose the things he
looms?"
'Oh, yes" sobbed Mary They've been in Il
family ever so long, and / wouldn't dream
parting with them If I weren't SO desperate !"
Well well, don't cry" said Melnotte. ~
tell you-the value Of these things is sentiment
No one would buy them from me, SO 1t would,
be business for me to give you anything for the
But | don't like to you In trouble You Ike
the things and I'll what can be done for ye
Suppose you let walk around to your ROOF
with you and see if l can't keep your landla
quiet?"
Mary understood HIS purpose perfectly we
He wanted to if she had been telling t
truth. But she agreed, tearfully, and in f.
minutes gave him ample proof Of her story.
was impressed by the barren poverty of the roc
she shared with Mona, and he did not notice til
anyone else lived in the room. There was lit
enough, indeed, to indicate that there were t
Of them there
How much do you owe?" he asked Ma
told him the exact amount-because, Of cour
she expected, indirectly to get much more ont
him than she could have done by naming
greater sum, which must still have been petty
There you are!' he said. IN lend you
money, and when your ship comes in you c
pay me back"
Mary was overcome with gratitude, and
did not resist when he took her hand and co
forted her by patting it. She did cry, however
"Oh-it's hard to take charity" she sobb
Gould you-isn't there work l could do
you in your shop? Then I'd feel I was earni
the money, at least !"
"Why-' he said and paused, struck by
idea Mary would be near him. under his
hucnco. if he gave her place And--who co,