ous hall there were twenty-eight tables and twenty-eight
women and a crowd of smoking men. Valiant noise was made on a stage at
the end of the hall by an orchestra composed of men who looked as if
they had just happened in. Soiled waiters ran to and fro, swooping
down like hawks on the unwary in the throng; clattering along the
aisles with trays covered with glasses; stumbling over women's skirts
and charging two prices for everything but beer, all with a swiftness
that blurred the view of the cocoanut palms and dusty monstrosities
painted upon the walls of the room. A bouncer, with an immense load of
business upon his hands, plunged about in the crowd, dragging bashful
strangers to prominent chairs, ordering waiters here and there and
quarreling furiously with men who wanted to sing with the orchestra.

The usual smoke cloud was present, but so dense that heads and arms
seemed entangled in it. The rumble of conversation was replaced by a
roar. Plenteous oaths heaved through the air. The room rang with the
shrill voices of women bubbling o'er with drink-laughter. The chief
element in the music of the orchestra was speed. The musicians played
in intent fury. A woman was singing and smiling upon the stage, but no
one took notice of her. The rate at which the piano, cornet and
violins were going, seemed to impart wildness to the half-drunken
crowd. Beer glasses were emptied at a gulp and conversation became a
rapid chatter. The smoke eddied and swirled like a shadowy river
hurrying toward some unseen falls. Pete and Maggie entered the hall
and took chairs at a table near the door. The woman who was seated
there made an attempt to occupy Pete's attention and, failing, went
away.

Three weeks had passed since the girl had left home. The air of
spaniel-like dependence had been magnified and showed its direct effect
in the peculiar off-handedness and ease of Pete's ways toward her.

She followed Pete's eyes with hers, anticipating with smiles gracious
looks from him.

A woman of brilliance and audacity, accompanied by a mere boy, came
into the place and took seats near them.

At once Pete sprang to his feet, his face beaming with glad surprise.

"By Gawd, there's Nellie," he cried.

He went over to the table and held out an eager hand to the woman.

"Why, hello, Pete, me boy, how are you," said she, giving him her
fingers.

Maggie took instant note of the woman. She perceived that her black
dress fit