The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1919-03-05

and walked on toward the monument
of Grant. Daphne followed. They
went as humbly as couple Of paupers
evicted for the rent.
Daphne was afraid to speak. She
saw that Clay was sick with wrath,
and she did not know him well enough
to be sure how he would take her in
reference in his thoughts. She trudged
along in utter shame.
The worst Of her shame was that
she was SO ashamed of 1t. Why should
she care whether q waiter smiled or
frowned? But she did care, infinitely.
Daphne could not pump up any en-
thusiasm for the scenery. Her lover
took no advantage of the serial of
arbors and the embracing bowers. He
never kissed her, not once.
Daphne ceased to be sorry for Clay
and felt sorry for her neglected self.
Then she grew. angry at herself. Then
at him.
At length she said, with ominous
sweetness, "Are you going to walk all
the way, dear?"
"You said you wanted to, didn't
your he mumbled, thickly.
"That's So"
She trudged some distance farther
a few blocks it was; it seemed miles.
Then she said, GLOW far is 1t home
altogether?"
"About three miles and half"
"Is that all? The heroine Of an
English novel I've been reading used
to dash, of five or six miles before
breakfast"
Patriotism and pride helped her for
a quarter Of mile more. Then she
resigned:
II guess I'm not an English heroine.
I don't believe she ever really did It.
I'll resign! I'll have to ask you to call
me a cab"
"Pretty hard to find an empty one
along here at this hour" he said. and
urged her on.
Lets go over that way to the in
habited part Of town." she said, "and
take street car or the subway"
And then he stopped and said. with
guilty brusquerie, "Have you got your
pocketbook with your
mo, I left it at home tonight. Why7''
daphne, I haven't got a cent?
"Why, Clayl you poor thing"
"That's why, / was so rough with the
waiter. II I'd had the money. do you
think I'd have made a row before you
about few little dollars? Never! You
see. I didn't expect to 60 out to Glare.
mont after the theater. The taxi cost
more than expected. and then gave
the head waiter FIVE dollars instead OF
one. I ordered with care SO that II
would come out right. But that bust
ness about the melon finished me.
just made it. I never was so ashamed
in my life. And had to drag you into
1t, and now I'm numbering your poor
little feet"
'That's the funniest joke I ever
heard. Why didn't you tell me- before7'
"It's no joke"
"Why, Of course it is! You have
only to 60 to your bank tomorrow ant
draw some more"
He did not answer this. He sale
nothing at all. She had = terrified feel
ing that his silence was full Of mean
ing, that his bank account would no
respond to his call. She could not asl
him to explain the situation. She wal
afraid that he might.
She marched on doggedly, growing
more and more gloomy and decrepit
Her little slippers with their stiltet
heels pinched and wavered, and ever.
step was pang.
Lets 60 over there and get on I
street car, and dare them to put q
off," she suggested.
TITS a pay-as-you-enter car" b
groaned.
The world was a different worl,
now. The drive that had been so tire
mendously lovely as she sped througl
it In a taxicab was a pathway in Nc
jave. She limped through the hideous
hateful, objectionable length, and fel
that 1t was symbol Of the life ahea
of her. She had counted ON escapin
from the money limits of her home
She was merely transferring hersel
from one. Jail to another.
Her young lover had dazzled he
with his needless courtship, flown ava
. with her on motor wings, dipping t
earth now and then to sip refresl
ments at high cost, and then swooI
a. ing of with her again.
n And now his wings had broken; hi
gasoline was gone; his motor burr
"a out; and the rest of the journey we
to be the same old trudge.
IS She had been leaning heavily @
n Clay's arm. Now she put 1t away fro
her in a mixture of pity for him an
of self-reproof. When he proteste
le she said:
II think I'll walk better alone for
De WHILE"
ID So she hobbled and hobbled by he
IN self. he pleading to be allowed to he
IS her. But she kept him away.
Is And they crept on little farthe
ne loving each other piteously.
I'd In the course of time they reach,
<ho 0oldaorcs orA 0o2lovcs