The Web of Life

Island Avenue. At noon she slipped out, while the other teachers gathered in one of the larger rooms to chat and unroll their luncheons. These were wrapped in little fancy napkins that were caref

sh her house work before taking her daily walk. Occasionally she found this work already performed; Anna Svenson's robust form would greet her as she entered the cottage, with the apologetic phrase, "My fingers were restless." Mrs. Svenson had an unquenchable appetite for work. The

against the gate. Under the arbor sat the owner of the bicycle, fanning herself with a little "perky" hat. She wore a short plai

!" Mrs. Pres

you to kingdom come. You're the next thing, Alves,

te inquiries about the school where they had taught together, about

come all this way to

I told the girls I'd hunt you out. How are you? You look rather down. Say, you mustn't shut

s. Preston an

ow Rosemarry King, the girl that used to dress so queer, has been discharged? She lived in bachelor-girl apartments with a lot of artists, and they say they were pretty lively. And Miss Cohen is going to be married, ain't coming bac

er window. He was in a dressing-gown, and unshav

ngly. "I guess I am queer already," Mrs. Preston answe

oked the room

wheel, and we girls see considerable of him. If you are nice to him, he'll do anyt

d. There was noise in the chamber above. "Besides

usly, as if she were waiting to hea

e Express Book Co. has a lot of money in the old ones, and they are fighting hard to keep the cat's out of the schools. They're sending men around to get

d more nervous. She had not heard Miss M'Gann's story, which would probably be the preface of a tend

n's quick steps; then there was silence; then an angry voice, a man's voice. Excited by this m

come down. Y

ce," a man's voice repli

oing to see. Don

n the cry of a woman, as she fell bac

he's murd

pry open with one arm a heavy door above. She hesitated for a moment, but when the man had shoved the doo

p you, Mrs

ack! Go out o

ated, and retreated to the sitting

reached the gate he looked at himself as if accustomed to take pride in his personal appearance, drew a handkerchief from his pocket and wound it negligently about his neck. Then, gazing about to get his bearings, he aimed for th

er," Mrs. Preston began, to break the awkwa

ed herself. She nodded her head slowly, and cr

arm about Mrs. Preston's waist, but something deterred her. "I wish I could come out and stay r

thy and shook her head. "No, no! I

h the feminine instinct for the natural league of women. "At

ft the sentence unfinished, "even if I could pay the wages," she continued. "Anna comes in some

is, it's no wonder more of us girls do

g table, while Mrs. Preston opened the door and admitted the visitor. Miss M'Gann came forwa

greeted the

r bowed and look annoyed. Miss M'Gann, finding that she could

ear," she said, squeezi

on returned to the little sitting ro

aped!" she exclaimed.

d. "Do you know wh

e low wooden building acro

t will all get out. I

ctor n

happened

and barred the door. This time he forced i

, and then, as if making a su

to bring

and pick his way carefully over the broken planks of the sidewalk to the avenue.

swung out, and the doctor appeared with her husband. Preston was talking affably, fluently, and now and then he tapped the doctor familiarly on his shoulders to emphasize a remark. Sommers responded enough to keep his companion's interest. Once he ge

e caught as they entered the gate. "My wife, doctor, is al

re was noise, as of a man getting into bed. In time it was quiet, and just as she was about to make

e won't trouble you any more to-night," he