Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-17

Sadie Barnet, a salcsgirl in the
white goods department. lives with
her nunt, Dee Dee. Dee Dec, who is
threatened with blindness, scolds her
for her selfishness in accepting favors
anG entertainment from Jerry Beck.
whom Dee Dee considers unscrupu-
lous. Sadie goes for Il ride in Jerry's
car, and il startled at his brutal
commands to his chauffeur, but
pleased at his asking her to be bis
second wife.
CHAPTER "
HLyUNNY nothing. Cloonan wont
l. think it's funny when 1 tell her
she's finished running my house for me.
Funny nothing. Tomorrow Sunday
and I'm going to take you out in tho
afternoon and show you the place, and
Monday, instead Of going to your bar
gain bin, we're going down for license.
and you kiss the old hag good by for
me, too. Eth, how's that for one days
work."
Gee nd-and-MIonday the spring
opening and me not there. Jerry, Ii
cant get over me being Il lady in my
own house. Me Me that hates ugli-
ness and ugly clothes and ugly living
so. Me that hates street cars and al
ways even hated boat excursions cause
they was poor folks pleasures. Me
lady in my own house. Oh, jerry"
She quivered in his arms and be
kissed her again with his moist lips
pressed fiat against hers.
Ten rooms, Peachy-that's the way
I do things "
They were curying uD gravel way.
and through the lacy foliage of spring
lights cleaned. and there came the re-
motor strains of syncopated music.
She sat UP and brushed bacl; her
hair.
"Is this the placer
Right Now for that steak smoth-
cred in mushrooms, and. CAD could
manage a sweetbread salad on the side
ifTyou asked me right hard"
They drew up in the Hood light of
the entrance.
Amt l told you not TO open the
door for me, George? don't need no
black hand reaching back here to turn
the handle for me. That don't make
up, for bad driving. Black hands off.
Jerry" r
They allehted with an uncramping
and unbcnding Of limbs.
AlVN u SOIllt IJfuHHuNtuS ltSlt
you for IL starter. Pcachy?'
Fine, whatever they are.'
A livcricd attendant bowed them UP
the steps.
A woman in blue velvet, her white
arms bare TO the shoulder and stars In
her hair, paused in the doorway TO
droD her cloak. Her heavy perfume
drifted out to meet them.
SoA;o po-naf', ,I,,fnb 90 Hos
panion's arm quickcned and her
thoughts ran forward.
'Jerry-gee! wouldn't look swell in
in dress like that? Gee! Jerry,
stars and all!'
The cords in the muscles of his arin
rose under her fingers.
'"Them amt one two three six to the
duds I'm going to hang on you. I
know her; she's an old-timer. Them
duds ain't one two three six
"Gee-Jerry!" !"
In the heart OF q silence as deep as
q bottomless pool. with the b,acl; hours
that tiptoe on the heels of midnight
shrouding her like a mans wimple,
limbs trembling and her hands reluc-
tant. Sadie Barnet knocked lightly at
her door, once, twice, thrice. and be-
tween Cacn rap ncr neart DeuC Win
twice lis tempo against her breast
Then her stealthy hand turned the
white china knob and released it 50
that it sprang backward with click.
who's that?"
''Me. Dee Dee"
Her voice was swathed in a whisper.
She could hear the plong of the bed
spring, the patter of bare feet across
the floor feel the slight aperture of the
onening door. She oozed through the
slit.
"All right, Dee Dee
"God IL must have been sound
asleep. What time is it?"
"It isn't late, Dee Dee"
Light the gas"
"I--I can undress in the dark
Light the gas"
"I.ight it, say"
''It's lit, Dee Dee
The figure in the center of the room,
in her high -necked, long -sleeved night
dress, her sparse hair drawn with un-
pleasant tension from her brow, her
pale eyes wide. moved forward q step,
one bare foot, calloused even across the
instep, extended,
"Lit?"
dee Dee, what's the matter?"
"Gimme--ny glasses
She took them from Miss Barnet's
trembling fingers and curved them about
her ears.
''Quit your nonsense now and light