Tlh.e Straight Girl oin fcHe CrooUied! Patlfo
By Juanita
JUNE was contented. In a certain
enae of the word, with the life she
was living. She was absorbing,
learning, meeting life in a different
phase. This, she felt, was the path that
would eventually lead to the goal she
coveted. If she had learned nothing else
but that one must work and wait for
that which is worth while having, she
had learned in this a lesson valuable
enough to more than compensate her for
the heartaches and homesickness she en
dured. She figured that her present situation
at least enabled her to meet her living
expenses. She would not be called upon
to draw from her little sum of money
which had dwindled down to a very
small sum. indeed. She had only $60 left.
She could live on this, without work, for
perhaps six weeks or two months, if she
needed only the bare necessities of life.
But June would not allow her mind to
dwell upon the thought of what the con
sequences would be if she were down to
her last peaay. She simply raised her
firm little chin to a higher angle and de
terminedly said, "It must not be." An
admirable spirit indeed, but perhaps the
beggar or the woman of the streets can
tell the story of such a spirit that has
been crushed by adversity. June, pos
Bessingjiie enthusiasm of youth and the
splendid faculty of seeing the bright side
of life, bulldeu her castles in ; the air
while cynical fate smiled on.
She told Hilda- of Delmores attempt
to make an appointment with ner and
forthwith proceeded to forget it, except
when that young man appeared at the
physician's office and evinced his admira
tion despite June's efforts to discourage
him.
One afternoon when the office was de
serted, during the usual lull in the tele
phone calls, June sat at her desk outlin
ing the pattern of a waist she had con
ceived the idea of making during her
leisure time.
She glanced up frpm her task to find
Delmores standing before her. He was
looking at her so intently and so ex
pressive of loathsome admiration that
June unconsciously lowered her eyes.
Er. Piatt won't be-in for half an
hour." she said as she looked at the clock.
"Well, that's all right. I don't mind
waiting, so long as you are here. ,.mi
a more," Delmores answered with a
chuckle. "Come I want you to see my
new car. It is standing across the street."
Be motioned June to follow him to the
window. There he directed her gaze to
a stunning gray coupelette.
"Oh, Isn't that a beaut ! June ex
claimed, forgetting her reserve.
Delmores looked pleased.
"No dainty feminine slipper has as
yet graced the floor of yonder , limousine.
If you will it so, yours shall be the first."
His. words were accompanied with a
moclc bow, and though spoken In a tone
cf raillery. June knew the invitation was
sincere. ;
"It must be wonderful to ride in a car
like that. I should love to." June, with
her usual naturalness, making no effort
to conceal the fact that she had never
known such luxury, spoke truthfully.
She yearned to sink Into the comfort
able looking cushions, to feel the throb
bing of the muffled engine under the car
peted floor, and to be whisked through
the city's beautiful thoroughfares.
She looked up at Delmores, her face
radiant with childish anticipation. The
expression she saw In his eyes quickly
dispelled any thought she may have had
of accepting his Invitation. She shook
her head slowly and with an air of final
ity. At her refusal the look on Delmores'
face grew more intense. He drew nearer
to her and as she attempted to avoid him
a strand of her golden hair brushed his
cheek. Suddenly she found herself
crushed in his embrace. HU strong arms
encircled her in a grip of Iron. Despite
her struggles he bent her lithe young
body backward and pressed his lips again
and again to her Soft white neck. At the
.."touch of those burning kisses from the
lips of this 'man whose very presence
Oiled her with repugnance June felt her
self grow faint. All power of resistance
, ' seemed to slip from her and she lay inert
in Delmores arms while his eager lips
Whirling about, June found
herself confronted by Dr. Piatt,
covered her neck, her cheek and her eyes
with passionate kisses.
Then, realizing that he sought to press
his kisses upon her lips, June centered
her strength in one desperate effort and
succeeded In freeing herself.
Delmores still held one of her wrists,
and he attempted to draw her to him
s gain. Quick as a flash June struck him
a stinging blow with her free hand. The
grip on her band relaxed, and whirling
about with the Intention of putting the
length of the office between herself and
her tormentor, June found herself con
fronted by Dr. Piatt.
The physician had entered the office
just as June struck Delmores. The first
part of the scene he had not witnessed.
On his countenance was an austere smile
and his brows were raised in an I-knew-it-would-happen
sort of an expression.
Delmores quickly regained bis compo
sure and with an air of Injured dignity
followed Dr. Piatt to his private office.
At the end ef the week June was noti
fied that her services were no longer
needed. She had committed the' offense
of causing Dr. Piatt to lose a good-paying
patient. Dr. Graham's manner was
kind but firm, and June realized the fu
tility of making a plea in self-defense.
She accepted her dismissal with a sink
ing heart, but managed to suppress her
tears until she reached her room.
(To be eontUved)
CeerricM. ltlt. by J. Keefcyl