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The Golden Chance
"Cut out the preachin'," he said roughly. "Where's your pay for the day's work? I want it — quick!"
"No, Steve, don't ask me. We need things to eat. When you come to your senses you'll say I'm right."
"That money, I said," he muttered, and flung himself on her. It was a short scuffle. It might have lasted much longer, for Steve Denby's strength had been sapped by too close association with saloons, and Mary was by no means a weakling. But the struggle came to an abrupt ending when the girl's waist was ripped open and the orchid given her by Roger Manning fell to the floor.
Steve's hands relaxed. The sudden sight of the flower shocked him into full consciousness. The film of drunkenness left his eyes. He stared unblinking at the delicate blossom. He lifted his gaze dazedly to the blueveined flesh left bare by the torn waist. Here against the lovely skin the orchid had nestled
"So it has come to this," he said, drawing a hand across his sweating forehead.
"What do you mean, Steve ?" she gasped. "Don't — don't look at me like that. Here is the
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..
Mary had put away the beautiful gown and pulled the worn jacket about her shoulders.
money." And from her jacket pocket she took the bills Mrs. Hillary had given her and held them out to him.
"Keep it," he said bitterly. "I don't want a cent of that money."
Her cheeks were aflame. "What horrible suspicion is in your mind?" she demanded. "I got this money honestly, Steve, for my day's work."
"And the flower?"
"The flower !" She picked it up and pressed it to her trembling lips. For a moment the contrast between the Hillary mansion and the sordid surroundings of the tenement flooded her mind and left her speechless. Steve waited, frowning. "The flower," she went on hesitantly — "it was given to me by the lady who employed me. She advertised for a sewing woman "
"Who was she?"
"Somebody who is not on our calling list, Steve," she said, with a wry smile. "A Mrs. Hillary, who lives at 22 Harrington Drive."
"Wealthy, I judge? Orchids are expensive."
"Very. Why do you ask?" "I was only thinking." Another mood had taken possession of him, His eyes sparkled. "Do you go back again to-morrow?" "No."
"H'm! That's a pity. But you'd only bungle it, anyhow."
"Bungle w hat, Steve ? What are you talking about, anyhow ?"
"Nothing. I'm going out to see some of the boys, and if I don't turn up to-night or tomorrow night, you'll know I'm busy. A little late work has been offered me, and — well, you're a