"I'll try and arrange
differently in future. After to-day you shall have your share of the
pretty ones--anything to keep the peace. Only--remember--no falling in
love."
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 22: Lest the reader should query this, let him consult the
police in any of our big centres, and he will learn that crime and
prostitution is immensely on the increase among children. In
Newcastle it is estimated that there are over two thousand girls, of
under fourteen years of age, voluntarily leading immoral lives, and
making big incomes.]
CHAPTER XXII
THE PERSECUTION OF THE MARTINS
Hamar's one great idea on reaching stage four was to utilize the
torments as a means of getting Gladys. Though he saw crowds of pretty
girls every day, none appealed to him as she did--and the very
difficulty of getting her enhanced her value and stimulated his
passions.
"I will give her one more chance," he said to himself, "and then if
she won't have me I'll plague her to death."
He went to the Imperial, and passing himself off as her father to the
new official at the stage-door entrance, was shown into the ante-room
(which led to her dressing-room). It took a good deal to scare Hamar,
but he admitted afterwards that he did feel a trifle apprehensive
whilst he awaited her advent; and his anticipations were fully
realized.
"Why, father!" she began, as the door of her dressing-room swung open
and she appeared on the threshold, clad in a shimmering white dress,
that intensified her fair style of beauty, "what brings you--" The
smile on her face suddenly died away.
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