Nothing Like Real Love.
"Well, the season came to a close. I liked the kid, but I didn't feel nothing like real love for her. I was going to leave Kansas City, and nothing was said about taking her with me. I noticed that big tears came in her eyes when I told her, but she didn't say much. That night they sent for me. They told me that Dora was dying.
"I got to Vaughn's house and found her unconscious. She had taken laudanum, the doctor said. She was in a stupor. The first chance I got, I asked her what was the matter, and she said to me, as the tears rolled down her cheeks:
"'I don't want to be left alone.'
"That, you know, touched me. We got married. I've got the license right here. It was all doped up by a fellow in the Washingtonian Home, who thought he owed a lot to me. He certainly did some fine pen and ink decorating with birds, and shadings and such things.
"So, after I quit the national game, I went into the saloon business at 292 West Madison street, first, and then started the 'Half Moon.'
"I'll tell you the truth about how Dora met Mike McDonald. She went to McVicker's theater one day with Harry Summers, who is now treasurer of the Illinois theater.
"Dora was with Mrs. Elliott. She used to be a model in Ryan's store, at Madison and Peoria streets. Summers introduced Dora to Mike McDonald, and that's the way they started.