“Go on and tell me,” he nodded, as the girl said, “Manhattan,” to the inquiring look of the waiter, who had rushed to the table at a signal from the man. “No,” she said doggedly, “I don’t want to talk; bring me a package of cigarettes, Otto,” she said, as the waiter moved away. “It’s no use; what do you want to know for?” Then the lines around her mouth became hard, while she tapped the heel of her dancing slippers on the floor. She may have been pretty; she may have been good and pure at some time, but the deep laid wrinkles, the flaring nostrils and bleared eyes told of the long days of hardships and nights of dissipation. “Oh, no matter,” said the man, with a shrug of his shoulders. “I just thought you might have known better days; I have, and thought we might talk of other times, besides,” said the man leisurely, “I used to be in the profession.” “What line, specialty or legit.?” asked the girl, with a show of interest. “Oh, most anything, heavies principally, though.” “Why did you leave it?” “Went to the bad,” said the man, nonchalantly. The man’s remarks had the desired effect; a feeling of closer fellowship began to develop and that, coupled with the warming up process which the second cocktail afforded, caused the woman’s tongue to run glibly. “Oh, I don’t mind,” she said, between inhalations of cigarette smoke, “but you see a girl don’t like to break open and tell some stranger all she knows about herself.” “Go on,” said the man, confidently, “I am very much interested. But first,” he added, “how much time have you? For if you are in danger of being interrupted, we had best make an appointment to meet later.” “Oh, I don’t know,” said the girl in a hard, bantering tone; “you see we girls are allowed the privilege of entertaining friends, in fact, salary cuts such a small figure in this joint, that it is absolutely necessary for us to get some money on the side.” “But I hope you don’t expect to get any money from me for just talking with you; of course I will buy drinks, lunch or anything you like, but there is where I draw the line. You see I am only a curiosity seeker.” “In that case,” said the girl, “I must leave you, for if I am not on the stage at the call, the manager will have a kick coming.” “How do you appease his wrath when you stay away, that is to say, when you are getting the money?” “Oh, that’s different,” said the girl, rising. “I always cut it with him.” “Oh, I see,” said the man, musingly. “How much does it take to satisfy him?” “Oh, I guess I can fix him for a dollar.” “Then here, I’ll give you the dollar, now we will go into a private wine room and have a good hour’s chat.” “What! and let all these sure things around here go? I guess not! Don’t you see that old guy over there making eyes at me now? He’s a regular here and always ready money, too.” “Have another drink,” said the man, as he took a cigarette from the package which the girl held in her hand.