The Washington herald., 1916-11-16

The two gossips who saw Agnes B. in
Rector's with a party of gay young peo-
pie, dressed in a borrowed evening gown,
lost no time in telling all Of the neighbors
In Toronto of the chorus girls supposed
downfall
You mustn't let her poor mother know
about this" the two neighbors whispered.
laying great stress upon their words.
She's such a dear. kind woman"
But at the same time they knew 49,
woman they were whispering the story 10
would lose no time in telling a group OF
the most garrulous OF the neighborhood.
Little by little the story. like the stone
rolling downhill, gathered speed. so that,
by the time it reached the mothers ears,
Agnes was a fallen woman. For weeks
the father walked about in a dazed, black
mood, but at FIRST the little mother could
not believe it.
In New York Agnes struggle was still
going on. She secured another part and
there were weeks of rehearsal. This time
the musical comedy ran only four days
and then was taken OF the boards. a
hopeless failure.
The wealthy man, still determined to
yin her. waited for the psychological mo-
ment- 1t came. For eighteen hours she
had gone without food. She had been
turned away from the cheap theatrical
boarding house, and had tramped for
Twelve hours from one agent to another,
looking for work. 1t was in the fall and
the nights were chill and windswept
stealing through Central Park. she had
found secluded bench and cuddled up
on 1t. looking into the starless sky.
At noon the next day she went to
the mans office and told him frankly
That she was staggering from hunger
ana cold. He looked at her with glut-
tonous eyes.-but there was a mute
appeal in her own which finally touch
ed him.
I'm sorry for you. Agnes" he told
her at last, but you are not big
enough to fight New York. If 1 were
you. would return to Toronto"
The tears came into her eyes.
How can II" she replied simply.
L have no money"
Agnes" and there was q note of
sincerity in his voice, "1et me help
you Just this much. I will ask moth
ing in return"
After thinking it over seriously
she did accept a ticket Once safely
on the train, she was thankful she
had not fallen by the wsyside as SO
many unfortunate girls do when they
cannot make good.
And dear little mother will be 90
hopPy buo kuO"6 nO" hANo
fought and won." she said to her
self. looking out of the window to
watch the disappearing steeples of
the city as the train wended its way
into the restful country.
Arriving in Toronto. her father met
her at the station. Eager-eyed,
tense. flushed with excitement, Agnes
was peering out OF the window.
watching for his familiar figure.
"Heigh, there, daddy" she cried as
she sprang on the train and rushed
up to him, throwing her arms around
him. Three times she hugged him to
her. nor did she notice through her
tears his stern, ugly expression.
Come" the father ordered her,
Tets get away from here before any
body sees you"
Before any one sees me7" she ex-
claimed. why, that's Just what I want!
want to see every one and tell them
how glad am to be home again"
Il can't understand you," and the father
looked at her grimly. You are bold!
You don't seem to want to hide your
shame"
my shame?" she repeated, her face
ciouding with the agony OF surprise and
doubt. But that is Just It. daddy dear-I
have come home rather than make any
mistake which would reflect upon you
and mother"
Don't lie to me-" the father replied.
We have heard everything"
Il am sorry, daddy" and she tried to
link her arm in his before he could draw
away from her. but know mother Will
understand"
As they rode through the streets the
people who knew. Agnes whispered be-
hind the palms OF their hands, while Ag-
mes stared at fher, incredulOuSly.
When they reached home the mother