Evening star., 1921-06-19

a big show next year-play Broad
way house. He jumped at il. We've
got him hooked But he says he's
got to meet you. So 1 told him
Mr.. Gentle--
Now. just you so it easy. I'm
only bringing him up to your r'sui;e
for a call at eleven O'Clock tomorrow
morning. III stay right IN the room
if you like
With a b-eathless exclamation she
rushed past him and ran up the stairs
to her dressing room. The rest of
the evening was a fever. the night
Il worse than sleepless horror.
She refused to see them. but knew
they would come. She wore A tall
ored street suit. and put on the hat
her face and head. Whoever he was.
whatever his infatuation for the
masked dancer. he was not to see
Henrietta Brown.
They did come-promptly. The
maid announced them. with re-
spectfully shrewd glance:
Its Mr.. Gentle and that-gentle-
man.
Her heart sank Her depression
dcepened into something near de-
Spondency Breathless. mis-
erable, she moved weakly into the
parlor.
They stood by the window. They
turned. Mr. Gentle moved forward
with his oiliest smile. The other man
turned. eNpectantly. 1t was Mr.. Jen-
kinS.
During a brief moment Miss Brown
swayed, fighting silently for breath.
Then. without a sound. she fed into
the bedroom and bolted the door.
Twenty minutes later the maid came
in from the hail. through the other
door. with a>note.
Hes been sitting there. writing
4
But she neglected to explain about
the five-dollar bill that was crumpled
in her left hand.
Her fingers trembling, Miss Brown
read straightforward proposal of
marriage. He told her. with the frank
ness of an emotional boy. his name. his
financial Condition-more, indeed, than
his neighborS in Sunbury would know
until his will should be read. And he
didn't so much as know her name!
The effect on Miss Brown was that
of utter panic.
Then Mr.. Gentle was back. storming
in past the maid.
so you think you can insult him
like that. Ell! Insult. him. me. every
body, After all I've done for you!
God knows"
She sat white and still.
WELL" he cried, what you got to
say for yourself:"
a whisper. MIR. Gentle. I'm going
home"
"Going? when?"
"Today-now."
But good Gawd"'
What will you take to release me?"
you. How can I? We're all booked
up. And we've got fortune in sight
-money-real hard money"
You could release me if I were ILL.,"
well, but"
Il am i'll. I want the contract back.
I'll pay you $500 for it,
In the end the amazed Mr.. Gentle had
to accept her offer.
X
GEORGE C. and his wife sat by the
~ table that still bore the Inwashed
dinner dishes.
Henrietta stood in the doorway, pale
but otherwise natural, wearing her last
winters topcoat and turban.
Il put my bag down in the hall up
stairs" Henrietta was saying. "pu un-
pack as soon as l. get back from the
library. They'll hardly have my trunk
here before morning."
Have you had anything to eat?"
asked George c. sternly.
II picked up a bite Of supper in the
Chicago station"
But what are we to think?" cried
Mrs. George, c. "What-are-we-to
think?'
1T isn't that we don't appreciate all
you've done." put in George G. THE
money-but-
Suppose you just. try keeping still?"
With which brisk remark little Miss
Brown stepped out and sharply closed
the front door. 49,
AS she left the discordant household
behind, her spirits quietly and unac-
countably rose. The library building
S.o,oed tn smile com mfOrtahl at her