Evening star., 1924-11-30

Joe gripped her by either elbow
and shook her brutally.
ITO marry you. Understan" Me
Marry YOU. Now I've a mind to
wiring your neck
"Go on" she gasped. For Gods
sake go on an do it,
He released her abruptly.
"Furs,' He jerked the tawdry
stole of dyed rabbit skin off her
shoulders. who give yo,. them, I'd
like TO krow?"
The bedizened waif of dockyard
taverns stiffened into a sudden dig
nifty.
II earned them same's 1 earn my
food an lodgin'. You think / bin
actin dirty by you--deceivin' you an
comm the respectable? Did I ever
ask you for penny? Have l ever
took thing from you but the price
of tram ride an a supper
never asked you to come along with
me that first night. I'd bin shoppin
You was nice TO me an kind-the first
man that hadn't acted like a beast
TO me Sincs-Since l could remember
almost. You spoke to me different
from all the others. ! was a fool
haven't bin at it long enough not
to care. ! s'pose-I thought if l could
| jest walk out with You now'n again
that or takin' to drink. ain:
started drinkin' yet An then
II Kinder got carin for YOU
She broke off suddenly and her face
went into her hands Blindly She
| turned towards the wall of a dark
ened garage and leaned against it,
hoarse. fearless sobs shaking her mar
| row shoulders.
x = ):
strode off down the street ue
had gone some way when he realized
he was still holding the offending
fur He turned and began to retrace
his steps.
The girl was still there. She stood
straintng her eyes after him, the Hight
OF street lamp full in her face. Ioe
had wanted woman to look at him
like that once WellChere she Was
he had his wish.
lie handed her back the stole.
That puttyfaced Tiffy you was
with jest now said as how he'd
bought you. Well, I'll buy you in
stead"
She backed away from him.
III die first"
Joe shook his head vehemently.
L amt goin' to. l don't mean that
But I'm goin' to sea for two or three
role eApeOlt1On. i sham
need no pay. 'Tain't much, but they
reckon it's enough to keep a good
man. I'm goin' to make out a monthly
allotment. You can have pretty-wel
the lot. Maybe It'll be enough to keep
"a woman-keep her from havin'
toto earn her livin'.
Il don't want it! Keep it, Keep il
an come back. I'll earn my livin' in
different way. 'Tain't too late. Joe.
1T amt too fate! I'm goin' now .
Straight, lam! :. :"
Where are you goin'?"
Come an see."
There was a desperate urgency in
her hoarse voice.
Go ahead then"
For the second time that night they
set off along the deserted streets but
this time she led, stumbling, almost
running along the pavements. Joe fol-
lowed her closely.
They had reached an avenue of de
tached houses standing back from the
road among dark strawberries The
girl paused before an iron gateway
from which short path led to the
door. A dim gas-jet burned behind
the fanlight.
Goodbye" she said. hesitated and
held out her hands. Come back to
me. Joe! Come back ap' ask for me
here when you get home again"
Joe glanced up at the darkened
facade of the building. He ignored
her outstretched hands.
Il don't know as I'll be coming
back" he said slowly. But it l do
I'll come back here"
A little sound that might have been
| sob. passed her lips. She slipped
through the gate like a shadow. Joe
stood motionless. watching.
She knocked hesitatingIy, and the
door opened almost Immediately. The
fanltght shone on a woman's gray
head and serene kindly brow.
Joe took a hurried step forward.
"'Ere!" he called. Its all right
It's ali rignt-rH c,me s>csI
The girl turned ana stood IooKiss,
at him. The wavering gas jet oN--
| head illumined her face. and in her
| eyes for the last time Joe saw :. o
Look. Then she stepped across
| threshold.
Joe remained motionless, staring at
| the closed door in the certitude of
] the Fate awaiting him.
copyright, 1924.