go to the theatre and wait for Hattie, who was playing in vaudeville
houses pending the opening of her company.

The closing act was just over when he reached the stage door. He was
there but a short time, when Hattie tripped out and took his arm. Her
face was bright and smiling, and there was no suggestion of disgust in
the dancing eyes she turned up to him. Evidently she had not heard, but
the thought gave him no particular pleasure, as it left him in suspense
as to how she would act when she should hear.

"Let 's go somewhere and get some supper," she said; "I 'm as hungry as
I can be. What are you looking so cut up about?"

"Oh, I ain't feelin' so very good."

"I hope you ain't lettin' that long-tongued Brown woman bother your
head, are you?"

His heart seemed to stand still. She did know, then.

"Do you know all about it?"

"Why, of course I do. You might know she 'd come to me first with her
story."

"And you still keep on speaking to me?"

"Now look here, Joe, if you 've been drinking, I 'll forgive you; if you
ain't, you go on and leave me. Say, what do you take me for? Do you
think I 'd throw down a friend because somebody else talked about him?