Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine, Vol. 107 No. 3 — page 128: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

470 “that Miss Bowles has done me the honor to make me her manager, so that you may take up the business details, such as salary, et cetera, with me, Mr. Evers.” He twisted an imaginary mustache. “Very well, Mr. Grenville,” Paul laughed. ‘“ We will arrange contracts and such to-morrow morning before the lady’s arrival at his studio, if you will do me the great honor of spending the night with me.” Esther entered into their frivolous spirit, and soon her soft laugh rang out gaily at . the sallies, the thrusts and parries of these two accomplished men. The coming of the waiter with coffee brought them back to earth. Philip remem- bered that he had not written his sweetheart in three days. Esther wondered when Belle would begin divorce proceedings, and if the doctor would see an account of it in the New York papers. The artist, who had been absently breaking his cheese into bits, spoke suddenly into his coffee cup. “Who first taught man that he was created in a shameful image?” he ques- tioned of no one in particular. ‘“ Who taught woman that it was a sin to reveal her God-given beauty?” . Esther looked up in astonishment. Philip, knowing the man, showed no surprise at this abrupt turn. “Don’t ask me,”’ he answered frivolously. CHAPTER XIX. A POPPY BURSTING INTO BLOOM. S OMEBODY was banging away on the piano; several couples were dancing, and Jimmie was singing when Esther let herself into Ma Frank’s boarding-house at ten o’clock on the night of her decision to move. Loud handclapping and laughing; a live- lier tune and more riotous dancing pro- claimed the care-free hearts within that stuffy room, with its green, upholstered fur- niture, red carpet, and coarse lace curtains. They were out of work, all of them—some of them out of money; but they had had their dinners and were sure of their beds. What more could one want? To-morrow? Why, to-morrow might ARGOSY AND RAILROAD MAN’S MAGAZINE. bring anything—a great inheritance, or a Broadway engagement! To your . true actor-temperament to-day ts. Yesterday ever was. And to-morrow is sure to bring Broadway. That hope touches with gold even a dark to-day. It puts music into th rattle of elevated trains and seasons board-~ ing-house hash. Esther slipped quietly past the door and up the stairs, but Ma F rank was watching for her. ‘“‘ Sweety,” she whispered through the keyhole of Esther’s door. . ‘Come in, Ma.” Esther opened.the door and Ma waddled in. | ‘Sweety, I been waitin’ for you ever since you went out. Did you have a nice time?” There was pathetic anxiety in the big, round, red face. “Yes, Ma,” Esther answered vaguely. “That’s good.” Ma sat heavily on a straight chair. ‘‘ What I wanted to say, lovy, is that I suppose you’ll be a wantin’ to move now that everybody ’d be a whis- perin’. I got as swell boys and girls as you can find anywheres, and they’re all on your side, and don’t believe a word that devil- woman said, especially after what that poor, sweet Maida give away on her; but folks is folks, and as long as they is they will whisper, which is that upsettin’ to a delicate thing like you; and that poor Maida leavin’ this very afternoon to be leadin’ lady for a company down South that plays a different play every night for four weeks, and then goes to another town. ‘Miss Ayers gone?” Esther asked with keen disappointment. She was gathering up her few pictures and toilet articles. “Yes, sweety, she got a telegram right after you left, and caught the two-forty- five train, all dressed and packed and gone in one hour, and that nice Mr. Davis most crazy ’cause he didn’t get to see her, which © I couldn’t even tell him her address, her not mentioning it to me, but just saying she was goin’ down to Texas and would send me them ten weeks’ board, which I don’t care if she don’t, me bein’ none too good to her.”’ ‘“‘T wanted to see her, too,” Esther re- gretted, “‘ to apologize for laughing at her.” ‘““Which I guess she’s forgot, seein’ she ‘ ~— ce 7 ee cConniclooolks CO inn