Hulbert Footner

“ I was already acquainted with Katy Meadows, her hotel maid, and of course the nature of my errand immediately broke the ice between us. Katy was a pretty, vivacious Irish girl with naturally rosy cheeks. Fay spoiled her. Katy went into raptures over the watch.
Just as Mme. Storey had said, I found her packing. Fay's things were spread over the whole suite. I did not have to express any curiosity, for Katy insisted on showing me everything—hats, wraps, dresses, lingerie, shoes in endless profusion.
It was immoral that one woman should possess so much, but oh! what a fascinating display! ”

“ Katy was bustling from room to room bearing armfuls of Fay's things that had to be packed. She was in a great state of fluster.
“Four o'clock!” she cried. “Mercy! I must get a move on me! They're going to have a supper party here after the show, and everything must be out of here before that, and the place tidied up. But don't you go, Miss Brickley. Sit down and talk to me. It keeps me going—”
In the end it was not at all difficult to get what I wanted. I led up to the matter as I had heard Mme. Storey do over the phone. ”

“ Storey coolly, “Mr. Whittall promised to back me in a scheme I was getting up to open a studio building for poor artists. My plans are ripe now, and I have called a meeting for to-morrow. I am counting on him.”
“Oh, but surely,” said Fay, more and more surprised, “under the circumstances; can't somebody appear for him? Can't it be put off for a few days?”
“No,” said Mme. Storey with cold firmness.
From astonishment Fay graduated to indignation. Suspecting enmity in my mistress, she turned from her. “Darius!” she said. ”