The Dolores star., 1919-08-15
CHAPTER XVIII.

-12-
Daphne scuttered FOR the subway as
a fugitive rabbit to its burrow. But
she was not a rabbit and she felt suf-
focated 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 1t 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. 1t 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,
Hello" grimly and stepped back for
Daphne to enter. Daphne found Bay
ard still aglow with interrupted quar-
rel. He said, "Hello!" with a dismal
connotation.
what do you suppose that brother
OF yours orders me to do now?" said
Leila, whirling Daphne toward her.
Il can't Imagine" said Daphne, IN
credulous of Bayard's ordering Leila
to do anything.
HE wants me to 60 to Dueilh and
put up poor mouth and humirlate my
self"
Bayard snatched Daphne to him
and stormed: "She bought the clothes,
didn't she, without consulting me?
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 1
haven't got and can't ge., sne won't
even go explain 1t to him. That's all
I ask her-to explain it to him and
ask him to be patient so that l won't
be sued. I can't stand that. I've had
every other calamity but I've never
been sued for debt. I ask Leila to 20
tell him about my hard luck and my
fine prospects-play 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 60
with you"
Leila hesitated, then answered by
taking up her hat and slapping it on
her head. She paused, took 1t off
again. and went to her room, unhook-
ing her gown as she went; she knew
that in asking favors one should wear
ones best appearances.
Bayard grumbled, "How are you
getting along at your Officer
Daphne felt unable to intrude her
own troubles on his. She shrugged
her shoulders. 1t is kind of white
lie, the shrug.
Hang on to your job as long as you
can, old girl, for you'll have to support
US all, guess. You're the only one Of
as that can get a job or earn cent.
That's the advantage of being a pretty
girl"
Daphne was almost moved to tell
him some of the disadvantages of be-
ing pretty girl. but she felt that the
time was unfit for exploiting her own
woes. She ached for some one to dis
close them to. but she withheld them.
Leila came in, nsrayed in her very
finest. She was smiling in the con-
tentment of beauty at Its best. when
you ask credit you've got to look as
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 place
and he left them to the other sales
people. He advanced on Leila and
Daphne and gave hand to each.
why, oh why in the name of Paul
Poiret didn't you come in a week ago?
The pirates have taken every decent
gown l had. The sewing women are
working like mad to reproduce 'em,
but there's nothing left fit to show,
except to Pittsburgh and Plattsburg
tourists. Where did you get that awful
rag you have onW
Here" said Leila.
"Oh, Of course, I remember. It's
beautiful. Sit down. I'm dead. Have
cigarette? Have cup Of tea? Oh, ]
Miss Galvey-tea for three, please. ]
didn't forget either of you when was
In Paris. / have siren gown for you,
Mrs. Kip, that will break your heart
with joy. You'dmurder to get it. And |
az for you. Miss Kip-well, you'll SIM
ply be indecently demure in the one I |
call Innocence
Daphne was a trifie shocked, but
Leila's eyes filed with tears at the
mockery of such talk. She moaned:
i didn't come to buy. / came to
apologize and beg for mercy. I owe
you lot Of money, and I haven't q
ssat"