The Taney County republican., 1919-07-03

faced Bart Fendall.
"She's smokin'i" gurgled Andy, hot
ly, gestICulating madly at the uppel
window. "Y'r partner, and It's against
tn N-"
4 bottle fell between them, and
Bart, STOPPING, picked II up and shifted
In horror at the contents.
"Its whisky" he muttered, dazedly
and then turned a Mortified glance
above him. Jean" he called, but nc
head appeared at the window.
"She's havin' q party" grOwlcd
Andy. "Fine III country kid yre
with"
But Bart, entering the stage door in
/ sort Of stupOr, missed ScObcll's
mOcklng leer. Was this Jean, the
little, hNppy-hearted, pretty creature
he had promised to look out for? lie
walked toward the wings and chme
upon her by surprise.
"Why, Jean, l thought" he began,
and then as his head bent over her
hat he smelled whisky,
"YOu hOught-whnti" she glanced
up at him alphabetically, and caught
his puzzled frown, for he expected to
smell tobacco in her breath, but met
the OdOr Of ylOlets. Worse and worse,
thought he, she was trying to hide
her infnmy from him.
"0h, nothing" lie growled In q wills
per, and then they tripped on the
stage.
But the strain and the heat had
taken their toll Of her slender
strength, and several times she nearly
tripped him as they whlrled around
the stnge. He was horrorstruck She
must be intoxicated. And then, as
they bowed themselves off the jeers
Of several In the audience smote on
his ears. He hurried toward his
dressing room.
Bart" she cried after him, aren't
you going to take an encore!"
with YOU" he growled over his
shoulder ns he hastened on. "Neverl
I'm through %
As he disappeared in the back of
the stage she gave a little cry nnd
ran after him. Tlmldly she opened
the door of dressing room Il and then
started back, for wOman's hat and
clothes met her eyes and struck her
with horror.
$50 that's wlSf" she gnsped to her
self, Tin going-home."
An hour later, as Bart Fcndal dis.
conSolately passed the parlor In the
Garden bOarding.house, he heard two
loud voices, and then at what he
heard he stood trans6Xed.
'Th' poor simp," one was saying,
and he recognized the voice as Flo
DNrretts. 9Th idea of a country
Jane comm up here an grabbln' all
IN favors. An then cryln' about It
In tn bargain, She's talkin' about
quittin'-goin' home tonight"
"Y' can't please some people," came
the Indignant answer. "Th lucky stiff's
grabbed jeS' cause you shot your
cigarette stump In her room, an now
she's yelpln' cause she got some
liquor on her hat. Why, I seen tn
time when I'd "a been tickled stiff t
get whlft o tn joy-water."
Guess she's prohibition pill"
agreed the other, matter.Of.factly.
How'd sho grab Bart Fendall, I won.
lerf 1t gets me how these guys II
all fer a baby.doll mllkmald," ii
Bart had heard enough. With four
pounds he cleared the steps to the sec.
md floor and flung himself into O
'oom at the end Of the hail. A tired,
llsheveled little girl with moist eyes
md dropping figure turned In surprise
o meet him.
Jean, I'm so sorry" he gasped,
II didn't know, l."
She drew back stiflly, but her eyes
ad hurt look.
Don't NrOlOglze-Dart," she an-
wered in low tone. II suppose
ou like her. IL don't blame you. {
I'm such a-frump." ]
Like heri' echoed Bart, puzzled.
a frump-yOu? Neveri You're the 2
Neetest, darlingest girl I'm North "
merica, Europe, Asia, Al"
"Don't--Bart," she protested, as he 4
'aned toward her eagerly. ~ know 4
j. IL can't blame you. Mabel's an y
Tfully pretty gIrl--a--" &
Whats all this?" he querled, daz. q
lily. "Mabell Mabel whol" b
u saw-for myself" she asserted h
lletly. IL was looking for YOU IN B
and, l saw her things. Then de.
ded to SO fome--back TO Salisbury" q
Bart stared at her dumbly, then his
sion cleared and. leuplng toward her, q
drew her into his arms, despite her e
enk resistance, and laughed aloud Z
"YOu saw her In By he guffawqd
aklhg with laughter. "Uh--oh" E
leti he grew serious. "Hhy, you N. E
dear, they changed dressing rooins
me tonight. | gave mlne ur will, &