tales about me, Mrs. Levy?” Fair asked falteringly. “I had it from one of your companions at the shroud factory—a tall, light-complected young lady, with blue eyes. She called to see why you didn’t come to work, and when I told her about that night and the man in your room, she ups with the whole story.” “Belva Platt!” Fair exclaimed bitterly. “Yes,” said Mrs. Levy, “that was her name. So you know her, and it’s true? Well, really, Miss Fielding, I had a better opinion of you. Jest to think of a young one like you marrying for money and then cutting out and deserting the man because he wasn’t as rich as you thought. And then to pretend like you did that night—it was a shame.” [Pg 108] [Pg 108] “If you will let me explain, Mrs. Levy,” Fair pleaded; but the woman was evidently prejudiced against her by the artful Belva, and all the poor girl could say met with small belief or respect. “Oh, pshaw! Your mother had the heart disease, and would have died just as likely as not if he hadn’t tetched the door,” she said. “And it was your fault, anyway. You knew your mother couldn’t stand excitement, so what made you lock the door against your husband and create such a racket?” Fair knew that all this had been put into Mrs. Levy’s mouth by her artful enemy, and she ceased the vain attempt to win the woman’s good opinion. Weak and wretched as she was, she could only sob forlornly in her handkerchief, and Mrs. Levy continued crossly: “Well, all I’ve got to say is you’ve got to leave this house. I can’t let you stay here a day longer. I’m liable to be sued by your husband for harboring his wife. So pack your things, and get out as soon as possible; and if you want my advice, it’s go home to your husband!” Frightened at being turned adrift on the cold world, Fair pleaded piteously to stay; but to no[Pg 109] purpose. The woman sternly ordered her to go that day. [Pg 109] “If I might only stay until I hear from Sadie,” she sighed; “I think she will be home soon. It’s more than a week since she went away.” “And you ain’t heard from her yet?”
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