The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1921-01-28
Continued from Previous Page

was Sport" She raised solemn eyes
ing his powers of understanding. "My
nurse died and then, one day, had to
sell Sport; wasn't old enough to sell
myself"
She stopped speaking with an I'M
mistakable finality. Randolph was
overwhelmed by the food of informa-
ton that this slip of girl had packed
into two-scOre words. A life-story in
four lines and revelation of the
heart thrown in for good measure!
Over and above that, he had to reckon
with the confirmation of a suspicion
which had been slowly establishing it.
self in his mind that he had met her
before, that not for the first time this
night had those soft lips, curved for
merry words, cried, "My, what
bump!" within his hearing.
So many considerations pressed to
his immediate attention that he
awoke to the actual present too late
to stem the tide of tears that sudden
ly rose to the girls eyes.
"Oh," she sobbed what is to be-
come of me? was so happy here, if
you hadn't made me think !"
If anything has been said in the
course Of these pages to give the i'm
preston that Mr.. Randolph was mod
eled after Joseph or hewn out of ice
or packed with probity to the exclu-
sion of red blood, forget it. At the
sight of those tears, he slid the length
of the couch to first base, fielded the
girl in his arms, switched her round
so that she lay across his knees, drew
| her face against his shoulder, and
rocked her gently.
"You poor kiddie," he said softly,
what devil of a time you've had p!
But believe me when I tell you it's all
over. This is the night that starts your
old happy sun into the blue sky again.
Don't worry"
She stopped crying and looked up
into the honest face so close to her
own, puzzling as to how just those
words could have come from it; but
the world had taught her hard les,
son in varying standards. She drew a
long quivering sigh.
IF you could only wait until l love
you, body and soul" she breathed.
"Wlat on earth DO you mean?'
asked Mr.. Randolph.
"Why. then it wouldn't be so bad
so ugly"
81 don't get YOU" remarked Rober1
Hevey.
"a man told me just little while
ago that he was making a catalogue
of reasons why women give them
Selves" she continued. HE had clever
already. and yet he was one of thu
incest men I've met. He talked to N,
as Though he were showing me wa.
that l must travel alone"
"Really?' said Mr.. Randolph stiff
fleming perceptibly.
1.-THE lowest reason of all was TO
cold cash." she went on, as though h,
had not spoken. Then came the gilt
Ter of precious stones, and. after that
silk underwear"
silk underwear" exclaimed Nj
Randolph, mystified and interested i
spite of himself.
"Of course you couldn't understan
that" she said, mot unless you ha
seen some poor girl bury her face i
crepe de chine and lace, tremble to tr
them on, and then sob because she ha
to wear clothes over Them
Look here" said Mr.. Randolph
shuddering at the pity of it: I'VE
pass on to the next, if you don't mind
Curiosity comes next" resumed tn
: girl obediently. "A woman is wea
until she knows everything. The
comes funny one that you won't III
t derstand at all. It's called Because
S Because he had on a coat that r
S minded her of an OLD coat that me
n she had loved used to wear"
a MY dear girl" protested Mr.. Ra
It dolph.
II said they weren't interesting
she reminded him dispassionately. HI
eyes widened "And now" she co
tinued, 1--WE go up and up-spite tn
le stabs its own heart; the lonely sou
n consuming fire. and, last and create
h. reason of all, just love-" Her ey
r glowed to some distant focus. IF &
Us myself, my honor, my past, and n
o. future dissolve to the single drop of
N present moment In the crystal cup
u. love, then let me give myself to
~ lovers lips for, once drained, nothil
a will be left upon which to hang t
ID badge Of shame-nothing remain
ig all the world but the spirit and-al
III the sacrifice"
a. "Girl," said Mr. Randolph, crushi
TO her to him as though he snatched h
at back from just beyond his ella:
~ where is your mind wandering? VII
n have you been thinking? That I W
asking you TOTO give yourself
meY'
=, Her eyes came suddenly to his ia
~ "Yes," she said; II thought tina
~ He stared at her for a, long silent n
n. ment. his lips wavering nervously-
4t | tween pity and severity. A flu