Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-02-03
The Lonesome
Girl
BY cLARISSA MACKIE.

+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
g. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
Miss Dalloe came idly down the
hundred wooden steps that led to the
beach. Above her rose the bold head
land, thrusting into the sound its sand
faced slopes, its crown Of cedars, oaks
and locusts, where, hidden among the
trees was her fathers country home !;
a few other handsome places were
scattered along the point Of land, the
houses concealed in the woods; long
flights of wooden steps wriggled down
the slopes to bath houses and boat
houses, each with little wooden piers
running out to meet the tide.
The tide was coming In rapidly; In
fifteen minutes 1t would surround the
big rock that marked the outpost for
safe bathing. The beach was deserted
and cold wind was coming out Of the
northeast, yet poised on the big rock
a girls slender figure was silhouetted
against the primrose Of the evening
sky. Paula Dalloe frowned.
Little foolp she muttered impa-
tiently, and ran down the remaining
steps to the hard white sand; when
she reached the big rock she drew
back from the flying spray as the
waves rolled against the base.
Can you swim" she called to the
girl on the rock.
The girl turned pale, determined
face. NO" she said fatty.
"Then you must come down at once
you will be drowned |"
ut doesn't matter" said the other
DULY, and turned away to stare at the
far horizon.
"Why-hOw absurdi"
The girl spoke over her pretty
shoulder, impudently.
Does 1t matter to you-particu-
larly3"
"Of course-don't you think you had
better come down and talk things
over with me-you might change your
mind"
"Never-never-n cried the
girl passionately. "There is nothing
own llfe-lf want to--go-that way
it's my business"
1--WE cannot shout at each other this
way-come down for while, and If
you must go back later-very we'll
It's your life," suggested Paula.
IF you won't interfere with my go
ing back-Pll come for while-the
tida 10 ca alo1u conoadod tho ,,t,t N,
she slipped YEARLY down the shore
side Of the rock and Joined the other
They sat down on the sand In thu
afterglow of the pale sunset
"WhO are your" asked Miss Dalloe
with puzzled look at the small elf
like figure, the really beautiful face
and sad eyes Of the girl. 1--WE seer
you somewhere"
you saw me last night was
singing In the chorus Of the Sea Maid
at the entertainment In the big house
yOnder." She nodded toward glimpse
Of red-tiled roof In the distance.
"Ah-at the Eallngs-I remember
you were the smallest girl, at the very
end"
The girl nodded. "Who are your
she asked bluntly.
paula Dalloe."
"Your father the rich Dalloe-you
live up hereT She glanced up the
slope.
Didn't you want to return with the
company this morning2'
"No; l was sick and stayed over.
They were kind; the hOusekeeper sent
me to the beach to get the air, and /
thought It was the best way out"
"Out Of what2 Tell me, please"
Paula smiled and laid her strong
brown fingers on the delicate hand Of
the younger girl.
Everything 1 am all alone in the
world-orphan asylum--yOu know
and then the stage-and / met him
he's fine-the best In the world-but
we lost each other. know his name,
but won't seek him, because"
"Because-T
well, I'm not In that class, Miss
DallOe. haven't had much education,
but he said 1t didn't matter, because
my heart was right, and I'd learn, and
we'd be happy. lie told me about his
house, and how, when we were mar
ried, l would be the mistress. II
scared mel was afraid Of all the
folks he knew-and 80 left the COM
pany / was with and ran away--and
he never could trace me. This Is two
years ago, but 1t hurts yet" She stared
straight ahead with unseeing eyes.
II am sorry" said Paula gently.
Don't you think you should let him
know where you are-he may be very
unhappy"
~ couldn't. I'm not his sort. When
we were together 1t seemed easy, but
after he went thought Of his grand
friends and the disgrace / would bring
upon him."
~ am afraid you haven't treated
him very we'll"
"He has forgotten by this time"
said the girl suddenly.
"Will you tell me your namef
"Evalyn Clark"
won't you come and stay few
days with me, Evalyn, up at my house?
Perhaps the change will do you good.
You can telephone to your manager"
"Visit your"
"Yes."
81 cannot l hurts me to go into
peoples homes. never had one
nothing but the asylum and cheap
boarding houses II is nice Of you to
asL mo I'm only I'm tho chorua AIaq
Dalloe, but It makes me sick for a
home, so I've thought that my life Is
my own, and I'd go to my own folks
and not be lonesome any more. You