Middletown transcript., 1917-03-17
CHAPTER XxIlI-Continued.

Copyright, by Mcclure Publications. Inc.)
CHAPTER xxIII-continued
'Do you have to walk as fast as
this?"
II said I was in q hurry. Once
week I get off little early to 60 to
the hospital. The Rosenfeld boy"
The monstrous injustice of the thing
overcame her. Palmer and she walk
ing about, and the boy lying on his hot
bed! She choked.
"Well?"
"He worries about his mother. If
you could give her some money, 1t
would help"
Money! 1 paid his board for two
months in the hospital"
When she did acknowledge this gen.
erosity-amounting to fOrty-eight dol
lars-his irritation grew. Her silence
was an accusation. She was too calm
in his presence. too cold. Where 1t
had pleased his pride to think that he
had given her up, he found that the
shoe was on the other foot.
At the entrance to a side street she
stopped.
81 turn off here"
'N1ay I come and see you sometime?"
"No, please"
"That's fiat, is it?"
"It is, Palmer"
He swung around savagely and left
her.
The next day he drew over a thou
sand dollars from the bank. A good
many of his debts he wanted to pay
in cash; there was no use putting
checks through, with discriminating in
dorsements. Also, he liked the idea
of carrying d roll Of money around.
The big fellows at the clubs always
had wad and peeled off bills like skin
off an onion. He took a couple OF
drinks to celebrate his approaching
immunity from debt.
At nine o'clock that night he found
Grace. She had moved to a cheap
apartment which she shared with two
other girls from the store. The others
were out. 1t was his lucky day, surely.
His drunkenness was of the mind,
mostly. His muscles were well con-
trolled. The lines from his nose to the
corners of his mouth were slightly ac-
centuated, his eyes open trif1e wider
than usual. That and slight pale
ness of the nostrils were the only evi-
dences of his condition. But Grace
knew the signs.
"You can't come in"
"Of course I'm coming in"
She retreated before him, her eyes
watchful. Men in his condition were
apt to be as quick with blow. as with
a caress. But having gained his point
he was amiable.
"Get your things on and come out
We can take in a roof-garden."
"Tve told you I'm not doing that sort
of thing"
He was less steady than he had been
The heat of the little fiat brought more
blood to his head. He wavered as ne
stood just inside the door,
"You must go back to your wife,"
"She doesn't want me. She's in love
with a fellow at the house"
Palmer, hush"
II only want to take you out for
good time. I've got money. Lool
herer
He drew out a roll of bills ant
showed it to her. Her eyes opened
wide. She had never known him II
have much money.
"Lots more where that comes from.
A new look flashed into her eyes, no
cupidity, but purpose.
She was instantly cunning.
aren't you going to give me some o
that?"
"What for?'
81 want it for Johnny Rosenfcld."
He thrust it back into his pocket, bu
his hand retained its grasp OF it.
THAT'S it." he complained. don
lemme be happy for minute! Throy
it all up to me!'
"You give me that for the Rosenfel'
boy, and I'll 60 out with you
'Tf l give you all that, I won't hav
any money to go out with!'
But his eyes were wavering. Sh
could see victory.
"Take off enough for the evening"
But he drew himself up.
'Its my lucky day." he said thickly
"Plenty more where this came from
Do anything for you. Give it to the Lii
tie devil. l." He yawned.
His head dropped back on his chair
he propped his sagging legs on stoo
She knew him-knew that he woul
sleep almost all night. She would hav
to make up something to tell the othe
girls. but no matter-She could atten
to that later.
She paused, in pinning on her ha
to count the bills. She had never ha
thousand dollars in her hands befor'
HLAnTED XXIN