The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1919-12-18

comedy out Kansas City way and that
she seemed to have hit bottom"
YES" said Cowles, studying the
girls face, 1T is Sadie, all right. She
seems to have kept all her good
looks. too, except that her face has
hardened terribly. Don't you remem.
Der what a soft-cheeked. innocent,
merry little thing she always was?"
Roberts nodded and looked again
into the mirror. He shook his head
at what he saw. Yes" he murmured,
"she was. And now. before you rec
ognized her, you called her bronze
haired and brazen-faced,' and she is"
Il hope" spoke up the young wom-
an, with startlingly distinct voice and
with unlimited acidity Of information,
that the next time you two see me,
you'll remember mel Take a good
look"
Both men sprang to their feet,
snatching off their hats,
81 beg your pardon" said Roberts,
earnestly. but really ! didn't realize
that you could see from the mirror
how ! was staring at you. I'm awful
ly sorry and very much ashamed.
Really | Nv both are"
Miss Cargill looked him over with
approval and was obviously Modified.
"Oh. that's all right" she said. with
a tired smile. I'm sorry | barked at
you that way. A woman is a good
deal OF a fool to make a kick when a
mar looks at her In Big Jimmy's.
But I'm sore on the world tonight and
kind Of cranky. Come on over here,
both of you. Perhaps you can talk
me out Of It,"
Cowles and Roberts looked at each
other and laughed. And because
Sadie. despite the hardening, was I'M
deniably charming with the old era.
c%iousness of the Casino days, they
carried their glasses to her table.
Cowles smiled as they set them down,
still full, beside hers.
I'VE were afraid. too" he explained.
You In trouble, tooP" She sighed.
We'll, I'm used to It, Better tell your
old auntie your poor little sorrows,
Maybe | really can do you some good"
She turned to Roberts. First off,
what's biting your"
Cowles interrupted precipitstely
let me tell mine" he urged I'm
the worst case. I've just lost my job.
| I'm a newspaper man and I've never
been noted for my saving disposition"
Miss Cargill nodded with a smile
which seemed reminiscent. Almost
in%voluntarily she hitched her chair
over a little closer to Cowles The
instinct of the stage lady to cuddle
up to the youth who may some time
get her name In the papers" is as
imperishable as the instinct OF self.
preservation
We'll" continued Cowles, my rent
comes due In a week. Also all the
bills Also It is the Merry Yule Tide
when the young blood gets square
with all the nice girls who have been
especially nice to him, And I've been
canned! Fired! Lost my Job! And
by the latest count | have on my per.
son Just thirteen dollars and forty
cents good and lawful coin OF the
United States and nothing more com
ing to me That's all"
Roberts took up the story.
mo, It Isn't all, Miss Cargill--I beg
your pardon" he cried as he saw bel
vince.
IT'S all right" she said YEARLY
Don't bother, It's all right. haven't
used that name for some time and
kind Of hoped nobody would remem
Der 1t. Fact, I'd rather like you boy,
to call me that tonight, christina
ewes kind Of different. Go on"
Charley didn't tell you how he los
his place. He lost It because he tool
the blame for a bad break made by
another man-the other man had {
flock of kids, and Charley wouldn'
see their Christmas spoiled-that'i
whyl"
Nice boy" she said softly. mic,
boyl" And then, after a moment
And, anyway, this Is the first iol
you ever lost, isn't it7 Thought so
It's nothing when you get used to 1t
| know" Her voice was even; bu'
her foot was tapping the floor under
the table. ITS when you get used t.
It, and think you can always get an
other and one day find that nobod,
will believe you when you say tina
you're going to steady down and b.
good-that's what hurts, This tint
next year you'll be laughing at your
self for feeling down"
mo, | WON'T" growled Cowles
I've done my best for three goo
years and I've been decent when
! didn't have to be decent and ~
been straight with myself and tn