The Washington times., 1920-07-27
whose newspaper serials have won
q big popular sUccess.

Mason. 1t only depends on
you. You've only to say
word. viii you? It's my chance.
Do | get it?"
Stray words, broken sentences.
passionate and intense-they darted
in and out of my mind as ! sat fac
ing Daisy Condor across the smooth
white linen Of our table.
How could | come to decision?
On the one hand. my old friend
Kates little sister felt that through
me she was losing Carl Booth, the
man she loved. In her unhappiness
she wanted to get away from Hal
danes and the bitterness OF seeing
him daily. She wanted to cut her
self off and forget-any woman's
right. Whatever caused it, Carl was
evidently enough Indifferent to the
girl. So any woman must want to
help her-most of all l who owed
Kate so great a debt.
But-and such a but had al
most certain evidence that Daisy
a Il.
had seen that this little grain or
dust was fond Of gambling. How,
then, in fairness to Tom Mason or
to her own easily tempted self
could I stand sponsor for her? How
could l say the word that would
put her to work among rare ana
precious Things, and give her
great money responsibility!
What was right?
"Daisy-think carefully-do you
want to live each day with the temp
tation Of beauty? Are you willing
to handle things more precious than
my pearl ring was?' ] asked in
slow. measured voice Have you
anv right to ask me to be respon
sible for you?'
Daisy lifted her tawny eyes not
dull and pale now, nor deep ana
black, but clear, sharp, eagerly
shining.
"Why not?" she said. Don't you
trust me? Have you heard some
thing?"
And then l saw what l must do.
"If were to trust you" | said,
"would YOU do everything in your
mower to be worthy of it-every-
thing"
"Of course" replied Daisy. "Why
not? Do you doubt me-
"Can you ask that?" ] said quiet
ly. How would you feel in my
nlace? Oh, Daisy, isn't there some
thing you want to tell me-some-
thing you want to talk over with
me first|'
DAISY stared at me almost bellig-
erentIy. her head thrust forward,
her Iips twisting for a second. her
ewes wild. Then she dropped her
chin, gulped once or twice ana sat
silent, staring at the tablecioth.
Finally she raised her eyes to mine
and asked in strange little,
breathless voice:
you won't take chance on me.
tbenp You don't believe in me?
You see the weakness In me! ana
Won think Mr.. Mason and all his
beautiful things would prove too
much for me in the end. Oh, l
want to go-I want to get away
and start over. Anne, Anne. you
baye 40 much! Let me have this.
Helm me, please help me. III do
the tight thing by you. l VIII! !
will, I'll repay you! For Hates
sake"
As she rushed froom plea to plea,
Daisv,s voice gained in strength,
until at last II had the clear. ring
ing quality of bronze chimes. win
every word the child seemed 10
take on new power and dignity.
/ made my decision.
"Tn call UP Tom Mason and tell
him hope he will put you In
charge of his new shop l SAID.
"I'll tell him know he can trust
YOU absolutely to look out for his
best interests, and to take care OF
all his valuable property. I've no
cause so far to believe in you,
Daisy. But now you owe 1t to me
to be worthy OF Kate"
Daisy whirled up from tho table,
clapping hcrs hands. She hurried
mo to a telephone booth, and,
stood with her hand squeezing
mine as we waited for the operator
to get Toms number. Her face
was aglow. The little grain of dust
appeared suddenly to be a shining
cut stone.
When I came out OF the telephone
booth and rejoined her she took my
hands in hers and spoke ardently
in a low, intense voice:
You'll never regret this. III
always remember. and no matter
how much you hurt me In the way
you can hurt me so terribly. I'll
never again try to retaliate. And
when you find out-when YOU learn
what I've done you won't hate me.
will vow 7 didn't know. " had