Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-06-21
CHAPTER XVIII.

q fugitive rabbit to its burrow. But
she was not rabbit and she felt suf-
located In the tunnel. She could not
endure to be quiet in the presence of
so many google eyes like aligned but
tons. She left the train at the next
station and walked rapidly to Fifth
avenue. and up it homeward.
She walked rapidly for the comfort
of the restlessness, but there was no
comfortable destination ahead Of her.
She found Mrs. Chevvis at home with
her discOnsolate husband. Daphne
dared not tell them just yet that she
had lost her place. She would tell
them when she got another one. For
fear that they might ask why she was
home so early, she went down to Bay
ards apartment.
She wanted to tell Bayard and Leila
what had happened. It was safe, she
felt sure. Bayard would never attack
Gerst. He would be more likely to
rail at Daphne for bringing the trou-
BILE on herself.
Leila let her in at the door, but she
was in militant humor. She said,
'Hellc r. grimly and stepped back for
Daphne to enter. Daphne found Bay
ard still aglow with interrupted quar-
rel. He said, 'tHello!" with a dismal
connotation.
''What do you suppose that brother
of yours orders me to do now?" said
Leila, whirling Daphne toward her.
81 can't imagine" said Daphne, in
credulous Of Bayard's ordering Leila
to do anything.
Gle wants me to go to Dutilh and
put up poor mouth and humiliate my
self"
Bayard snatched Daphne to him
and stormed: "She bought the clothes,
didn't she, without consulting mel
She wouldn't send 'em back as you did
yours; she wore 'em out, paraded 'em
before other men there in Newport
while I was Shaving here. And now
that Dutilh insists on money that ]
haven't got. and can't get, she won't
even go explain it to him. That's all
ask her-to explain it to him and
ask him to be patient SO that 1 won't
be sued. can't stand that. I've had
every other calamity but I've never
been sued for debt. 1 ask Leila to GO
tell him about my hard luck and my
fine prospects fair with him
and with me. But Will she do it? No
She won't do anything for me-"
Daphne was swayed by his emotion
She pleaded: "Why don't you, Leila
You have such winning ways. I'll &C
with you"
Leila hesitated, then answered by
taking up her hat and slapping it OF
her head. She paused, took it of
again and went to her room, unlock
ing her gown as she went; she knew
that in asking favors one should weal
ones best appearances.
Bayard grumbled, "How are YOU
getting along at your Officer"
Daphne felt unable to intrude hel
own troubles on his. She shrugged
her shoulders. It is a kind of white
lie, the shrug.
"Hang on to your Job as long as yoJ
can, old girl, for you'll have to suppor
us all, I guess. You're the only one o.
US that can get a Job or earn cent
That's the advantage of being prett!
girl"
Daphne was almost moved to tel
him some of the disadvantages Of be
ing a pretty girl, but she felt that thu
time was unfit for exploiting her owl
woes. She ached for some one to dis
close them to. but she withheld them
Leila came in, arrayed in her yer!
finest. She was smiling in the con
sentiment Of beauty at it's best. "Whel
you ask credit you've got to look a
if you didn't need It," she said.
They found Dutilh in a state Of un
usual excitement and exhaustion
There were few customers in his plac'
and he left them to the other sales
people. He advanced on Leila ant
Daphne and gave hand to each.
''Why, oh why In the name Of Pau
Poiret didn't you come in week ago
The pirates hive taken every decen
gown / had. The sewing women ar
working like mad to reproduce 'em
- but there's nothing left fit to show
except to Pittsburgh and Plattsburl
tourists. Where did you get that awful
rag you have on2"
Here" said Leila.
"Oh, Of course, remember. IT.
beautiful Sit down. I'm dead. Hav
a cigarette7 Have a cup Of tea? Oh
Miss Galvey-tea for three. please.
didn't forget either Of you when wa
IN Paris. have siren gown for you
Mrs. Kip, that will break your hear
with joy. You'd murder to get 1t. AM
as for you. Miss Kip-well, you'll sim
ply be indecently demure in the one
call Innocence"
Daphne was a trihe shocked, Blu
Leila's eyes filled with tears at tn
mockery OF such talk. She mOaned
II didn't come to buy. came t
apologize and beg for mercy. ow