The Monticellonian., 1919-04-11

The car was m aristocrat; it float ed from the curb with swanlike sweep.
 Daphne thought of Clay and herself plodding homevafd. She seemed to see them or their wraiths staggering diseonSolately along She felt very sorry for them. Here WaS chance to save one of them-both of them in fact; for in taking her financial bur den from Clay's shoulders she would be twice strengthening him. If she were to accept Duane as her husband then her problems would he solved and Clay would be free of her.
 To be Mrs. Tom Duane: to step into the society of society; to lift her father and mother from position of neck ness in Cleveland to a post of distinc- tinn in New York to solve at once all the hateful, loathseme, belittlins rid- dies of money: to be the beieueled and feted and idolized wife and mistress of this young American grand duke. to buy that impossible trQusseau or bet ter; to live in New York palace in- stead of flat to % about in her own limousine instead of an occasional tax icab; to be fortunes darling instead of member of the working classes, struggling along with bent neck under a yoke beside discouraged laboring man
 When lhe ear reached her building she was resolved to see Duane no more. She could hot tell him so. After all. he had been everything that was courtesy and charity. It would hardly have been polite to treat him with ab- Solute indifference. Duane got down and helped her out and took her to the door, which was ioeKeds at this late hour. While they waited for the door man to answer the bell she was pay ing him his wages:
 You are wonderfully kind. had gorgeous evening. You saved my life"
 She had said more than she intend ed-if not more than he had earned.
 Then may l cell soon?"
 Of course"
 "Tomorrow?"
 well, I'll let you know"
 Fine! Telephone me at I'll write it out for you. I'm not often at the club where you found me. and my number isn't in the book" He wrote on his card his telephone address and gave it to her as the doorman ap- peared
 He murmured Don't forget" She murmured. T won't" Both said Good night Then the doorman gath cred her in and heisted her to her lowy eyrie. It was very different from where she would have gone as Mrs. Duane.
 But when she WAS in her room she tore his card to pieces after she had looked at it. She stared at her image in the mirror. She hated what she saw there.
 She vowed to break her promise to Tom Duane. She vowed to forget his telephone number. But il danced l about ia the dark long after she had closed her eyes,
 The next morning she overslept even l beyond the extra hour the Ghivvises i permitted themselves and the stranger within their gates on Sundays.
 When Daphne appeared at break- fast. trying hot to yawn, Mrs. Ghiy- wis greeted her with voice as cold and dry as the toast, and as brittle:
 You were rather late getting in last nicht-or this morning rather"
 naphne'S answer was not an expla- nation. but tt was better:
 "0h. l know il, Mrs ChivviS. but I lost my position last night YesI | played the principal part and killed it.. and now I'm not going on the stage any more"
 Mrs ChvviS was touched. You poor child It really is- just too bad - She pondered. then she frightened: :: I'm sorry you're disappointed, but I'm glad you're not to be in the theater It must be very wicked
 It's mighty difficult" said Daphne.
 Mrs. GhivviS thought moment more, then she said
 "pid l tell you?- No. I don't be lieye did-you Were away-but Mr. ChivYiS gets his vacation next week. He's got to take it when his turn comes The man who was going now couldn't be spared so We have to leave Tuesday. I'm going. of course So l can't give you your meals. You can get your breakfasts in the kitchenette. of course I'll allow off whatever is right"
 Oh" Daphne said I'll be all right. I guess
 Daphne had not realized how much she depended on Mrs. Chivvis till now. She was to he left alone at the very time when she was most in need cf society. The whole world was forsak- i ing her.
 CHAPTER Kill.