t know that there were men,
all ages, and with all kinds of money, ready to give me anything for
the mere privilege of taking me out to supper? And I didn't do it, did
I? For three years I stuck by this good man, who was to lead me in a
good way, toward a good life. And all the time I was getting older,
never quite so pretty one day as I had been the day before. I never
knew then what it was to be tinkered with by hairdressers and
manicures, or a hundred and one of those other people who make you look
good. I didn't have to have them then." Rising, she went up to the
table and faced her companion. "Well, you know, Laura, what happened."

"Wasn't it partly your fault, Elfie?"

Her friend leaned across the table, her face flushed with anger.

"Was it my fault that time made me older and I took on a lot of flesh?
Was it my fault that the work and the life took out the color, and left
the make-up? Was it my fault that other pretty young girls came along,
just as I'd come, and were chased after, just as I was? Was it my fault
the cabs weren't waiting any more and people didn't talk about how
pretty I was? And was it my fault when he finally had me alone, and
just because no one else wanted me, he got tired and threw me flat----"
Bringing her hand down on the table with a bang, she added: "Cold
flat--and I'd been on the dead level with him." With almost a sob, she
went up to the bureau, powdered her nose, and returned to the table.
"It almost broke my heart. Then I made up my mind to get even and get
all I could out of the game. Jerry came along. He was a has-been, and I
was on the road to be. He wanted to be good to me, and I let him.
That's all!"

"Still, I don't see how you can live that way," said Laura, lying back
on the bed.

"Well, you did," retorted Elfie, "and you didn't kick."

"Yes," rejoined Laura calmly, "but things are different with me now.
You'd be the same way if you were in my place."

"No," laughed Elfie mockingly, "I've had all the romance I want, and
I'll stake you to all your love affairs. I am out to gather in as much
coin as I can in my own way, so when the old rainy day comes along I'll
have a little change to buy myself an umbrella."

Laura started angrily to her feet. Hotly she cried:

"What did you come here for? Why can't you leave me alone when I'm
trying to get along?"

"Because I want to help you," retorted Elfie calmly.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, almost hysterical, Lau