In this atmosphere Nancy belonged; and she throve in it and ate her frugal meals and schemed over her cheap dresses with a determined and contented mind. She already knew woman; and she was studying man, the animal, both as to his habits and eligibility. Some day she would bring down the game that she wanted; but she promised herself it would be what seemed to her the biggest and the best, and nothing smaller.
Thus she kept her lamp trimmed and burning to receive the bridegroom when he should come.
But, another lesson she learned, perhaps unconsciously. Her standard of values began to shift and change. Sometimes the dollar-mark grew blurred in her minds eye, and shaped itself into letters that spelled such words as truth and honor and now and then just kindness. Let us make a likeness of one who hunts the moose or elk in some mighty wood. He sees a little dell, mossy and embowered, where a rill trickles, babbling to him of rest and comfort. At these times the spear of Nimrod himself grows blunt.
Thus she kept her lamp trimmed and burning to receive the bridegroom when he should come.
But, another lesson she learned, perhaps unconsciously. Her standard of values began to shift and change. Sometimes the dollar-mark grew blurred in her minds eye, and shaped itself into letters that spelled such words as truth and honor and now and then just kindness. Let us make a likeness of one who hunts the moose or elk in some mighty wood. He sees a little dell, mossy and embowered, where a rill trickles, babbling to him of rest and comfort. At these times the spear of Nimrod himself grows blunt.
So, Nancy wondered sometimes if Persian lamb was always quoted at its market value by the hearts that it covered.
One Thursday evening Nancy left the store and turned across Sixth Avenue westward to the laundry. She was expected to go with Lou and Dan to a musical comedy.
Dan was just coming out of the laundry when she arrived. There was a queer, strained look on his face.
I thought I would drop around to see if they had heard from her, he said.
Heard from who? asked Nancy. Isnt Lou there?
I thought you knew, said Dan. She hasnt been here or at the house where she lived since Monday. She moved all her things from there. She told one of the girls in the laundry she might be going to Europe.
Hasnt anybody seen her anywhere? asked Nancy.
Dan looked at her with his jaws set grimly, and a steely gleam in his steady gray eyes.
They told me in the laundry, he said, harshly, that they saw her pass yesterday in an automobile. With one of the millionaires, I suppose, that you and Lou were forever busying your brains about.
For the first time Nancy quailed before a man. She laid her hand that trembled slightly on Dans sleeve.
Youve no right to say such a thing to me, Dan as if I had anything to do with it!
I didnt mean it that way, said Dan, softening. He fumbled in his vest pocket.
Ive got the tickets for the show to-night, he said, with a gallant show of lightness. If you
Nancy admired pluck whenever she saw it.
Ill go with you, Dan, she said.
Three months went by before Nancy saw Lou again.
At twilight one evening the shop-girl was hurrying home along the border of a little quiet park. She heard her name called, and wheeled about in time to catch Lou rushing into her arms.
After the first embrace they drew their heads back as serpents do, ready to attack or to charm, with a thousand questions trembling on their swift tongues. And then Nancy noticed that prosperity had descended upon Lou, manifesting itself in costly furs, flashing gems, and creations of the tailors art.
You little fool! cried Lou, loudly and affectionately. I see you are still working in that store, and as shabby as ever. And how about that big catch you were going to make nothing doing yet, I suppose?
And then Lou looked, and saw that something better than prosperity had descended upon Nancy something that shone brighter than gems in her eyes and redder than a rose in her cheeks, and that danced like electricity anxious to be loosed from the tip of her tongue.
Yes, Im still in the store, said Nancy, but Im going to leave it next week. Ive made my catch the biggest catch in the world. You wont mind now Lou, will you? Im going to be married to Dan to Dan! hes my Dan now why, Lou!
Around the corner of the park strolled one of those new-crop, smooth-faced young policemen that are making the force more endurable at least to the eye. He saw a woman with an expensive fur coat, and diamond-ringed hands crouching down against the iron fence of the park sobbing turbulently, while a slender, plainly-dressed working girl leaned close, trying to console her. But the Gibsonian cop, being of the new order, passed on, pretending not to notice, for he was wise enough to know that these matters are beyond help so far as the power he represents is concerned, though he rap the pavement with his nightstick till the sound goes up to the furthermost stars.
The Last Leaf
In a little district west of Washington Square the streets have run crazy and broken themselves into small strips called places. These places make strange angles and curves. One street crosses itself a time or two. An artist once discovered a valuable possibility in this street. Suppose a collector with a bill for paints, paper and canvas should, in traversing this route, suddenly meet himself coming back, without a cent having been paid on account!