The herald., 1920-03-11

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her 1t drove away her first thought
of refusing to accept his offer and con-
tributinG her own little sum. for she
remembered she must save that fO-
nights lodging somewhere.
She looked at him moment. Some
thing in the quiet friendIiucSs Of his
voice touched the door of her heart
and II opened She told him the story.
He whistlrd when she was through.
Some punk luck, little girl. Why. you
beat me, and for rotten luck I am the
original Jonah. 4 week ago | had
come to the point OF eating shoe
leather. 1"
The appearance " the rest Of the
orcer siIenCed him just as he seemed
10 be- on the verge of explaining what
circumstances had saved him. She
was tempted to ask him, but the good
things spread before her won her i'm
mediate attention.
Under the gay spell OF his friendlI-
ness she forgot what waited for her
outside in the night-lonclineSS weart-
ness, perhaps hunger. Only when at
last they did stand outside did she
realize and the old horror came over
her; but she put on a brave face. only
10 discover that she could not fool HIN.
He did not ask her where she was
going; he simply said. Now, l want
you to go 10 the Wells hOuSC--that'S
for women and girls, isn't 1t? And I'm
going 70 loan you the money. TomOr-
row night I want 10 see you again
come to the show with me. I'll have
the tickets. VIII you?"
Wondering. Sh" listened 70 the note
Of hope in his voice. She opened her
lips to refuse, hut that note stayed
her
She nodded and he caught her arm
"Now for dreams"
He left her in the lobby Of the Wells
house. and she went 10 her room, 10
sleep as she had not slept before, to
dream OF pair OF kind eyes that
looked at her with the open glance OF
friendship and nothing more.
The next day she secured the rest
=
ne c,.mp for her, looking anxious and
n hlt surprised rs ne saw The change
the night and day had brought in her.
In the thcater before the play began
he eSkcd her about her plans for the
future. The question brought her back
to earth with thump. Il haven't
any" she whispered; Tets just enjoy
the evening together"
His hand closed on hers for mo-
mont. I'm with you, little girl. Only
I'm getting weary Of my end Of it,"
"Why?" she asked, puzzled.
He chucklcd softly. You don't
know anything about me"
Except that you've got big heart
and have been mighty good to me"
she interjected. her heart warm with
memory Of his kindness.
He pressed her hand by way OF
thanks. Nothing ut all. But hang
It, I'm supposed to make the fun OF
this show go"
In response To her wondering ques-
ton he said softly, "Sure. Here's
the way of il: l went 10 their show
| back in the eastern part of the state.
| 1t was going poor when happened to
| laugh at that fat Irishman's jokes. II
| seemed to set people off around me
that evening; and before got out, by
| love, the manager looked me up and
| offered to pay me II I'd go along with
| the show, do a little on the side, and
sit here and use the gurgle the Lord
gave me. I needed the money, so
came; but, believe me, it's getting to
he hard work and Il isn't job for
| man, anyhow. Say-hOld On-the cur
| tain's going up"
At last the play was over, and they
went out into the evening. He had
| asked her to wait a moment before
leaving the lobby, and when he re-
turned his face was firm with new
| look.
1--WE thrown up this laughing Job,
and tomorrow Tn going TO set sail for
town on the Maine coast where L
know | can make a mans living at
mans job" he said quietly.
| She listened with n strange sense OF
deSolatiOn coming over her. a feeling
of being cast adrift.
He was oddly nervous. Suddenly he
paused. 1.-THE trouble Is don't want
| to go alone" His voice took on a quick
change. Say, little girl, you're all
alone; I'm all alone-and it's a big
world and a lonely one. Don't you
want to go with me?"
He had drawn her into the shadow
of the street. Her heart was pound
ing, for as suddenly as he spoke the
realization had come to her that all
the indefinite wondering and longing
of the day met in his question.
She Shivered a bit with something
more than the keen air of the evening.
"Why, don't know your name and
you don't know mine"
He Chuckled in the merry way that
had first won her, only this time there
was a tenderness in the chuckle. 81
want a pal and it's all right for me.
You be Little Pal"
She looked up. "And you be Big
Pal. Yes, dear laughter-maker, want
to 90 with you"
So he caught her swiftly to him,
then released her. "NOw for the fes-