"
"I don't see how it's to be helped; is it a crime to live alone?" I said.
"I won't ask Uncle Timothy for money--and have Aunt Frank know about it."
Again he hesitated, then he said more slowly, but plumping out the last
words in a kind of desperation: "I've heard a woman--once--asked if she
had a lover--to pay the money, you know."
I didn't understand at first; then a flush deepened upon my face.
"They wouldn't dare! This woman knows all about me; why, she's Meg Van
Dam's dressmaker; Mrs. Whitney's too--" I said.
"I've heard it done," John repeated patiently. "You must pardon me. I
didn't want to go into this phase of it, but it may explain what, with
your permission, I am about to do. Now, before I go--for I must go at once
to find this attorney, at his house, the Democratic Club, anywhere--I must
be frank with you."
He was already at the door, where he turned and faced me, looking almost
handsome in his sturdy manliness, his colour heightened by excitement.
"I must tell you one thing," he went on very slowly. "I haven't in all the
world a fraction of the money called for by this one bill; but in a way I
have made some success.
Pages:
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354