Evening star., 1921-12-23
THE PIPER CALLS FOR HIS PAY.
IN ETROIT for a week." John
Lindsay groaned over the

telephone, on the after
noon train. $50 If you'd
pack my bag and bring it in-could
you catch the leven- forty? That would
give us time for lunch together"
Merriam pulled her fur toque over
her bronze curls, tried to hide her
pallor with the first rouge she'd ever
needed, hated herself and washed it
| away.
This is the way I'll feel all the
rest of my life." she thought de-
| spondently as the suburban train
bumped along.
Luncheon was a strain. John was
his grumpiest. I'm lucky If ] get
back by Friday. Get some kid to
tend fires for you and make Cecily
stay Don't wait for my train, I'll
put You on the two-ten."
She was in a panic lest he see her
when she ran back from the train
seat where he'd left her. She hurried
across to the avenue. her bank closed
at three and she had a great deal to
do before that. She had just two
rings left. Johns modest pearls and
her fathers sapphire. She was too
nervous to dicker. She did ask the
courteous clerk to hold the pearl ring
for her. She deposited her money.
| wrote a check, addressed an envelope
and mailed it, But the freedom she
had thought to feel did not come.
Back in Rosedale she found her
self in panic of inexplicable fear.
She was actually glad that the fires
were out. She welcomed her smok y
struggles with kindlings and Goals.
Rags was raptuously glad to have
her back; he adored her with all his
i n Hna
ana down stairs as she Journeyed
from fireplace to furnace. She had
bolted the doors firmly but she lis
tened eagerly for Cecilys arrival
But her cousin 'phoned instead.
| Il simply can't. you little coward
| Dash over to some OF your neighbors
| If you're a scare-cat. Perfect rot
you're staying in the country win.
| ters. anyway"
| The house wasn't still. The kitchen
! clock licked so loudly that she shu1
the pantry doors. The wind swirlet
madly.
Richard Slocum arrived at S. She
looked SO wan in her blue serge shah
biness that it broke down the last
barrier that had held him in check
! Gee ought to be ashamed" he
| tried to joke. but his voice trembled
! I'm going across to Leila's. anyhow
| Well phone her and pack up your
l
Leila won't want me-" Merriam
tried to keep brave front. Il had
luncheon with her Thursday. and she
called me Genie Gloom"
| Did she"-Richard wet his lips
tell you what l.
| Merriam shook her head
| 'Iv Quarreled awfully with Leila
Rich" she said.
| "Oh. that spat, Leila understood
; I've seen her since. She knows you
! aren't yourself these days. She didn',
mind. She thouught-''
II didn't like what she thought
A ghost of Merriam's laugh managed
to tinkle. shes a bad little thinker
| shes got darned good sense. Mer-
riam, there's no use beating about
the bush. Or having a scene about
; it. but you can't stand this sort
| Of life any longer. And ! can't stand
it for you. It's all John Lindsay can
ever give you-
! T.
| Let me talk" he snapped out
masterfully. You shut me up every
| time l try to, but this time I'm going
to speak my little piece. ! won't say
I anything about John. I'll stick to
my contract with him. l won't say
a word about you both treating me
as though l were the-villain- who
still-pursued-her.' I'm the best friend
and the oldest friend you have. I've
| loved you ever since you were a
scrap of a girl, and I'll never care
a tinkers damn about anybody else.
And John stole you away from me.
I belong in the world you're used to,
/ and he doesn't. But even then.
| wouldn't say word if I thought you
were happy. But you're not. You're
struggling along against odds that
fail. You can't stand a shabby house
! and a shabby suburb. I'll promise
| you this. l won't come near you
until you send for me. After to-
! night But tonight I want to take
you to Ieilas. I'll go away directly
Il get there. Leila will tell you eX-