Jerome County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1919-1920, 1920-01-01


1t was a pretty face Notwithstanding
lis grease paint, and it smiled right
into his eyes. His heart thumped be-
tween his shoulders as though it would
drive all the air from his lungs. She
smiled at him-for him, Now they
were away again; there were gyra-
lions about the stage.
Then there was sudden break.
away In the dance. and the girl dis
appeared behind a forest Dave sup
posed She had gone to rest: dancing
IKE mat must be hard on the wind.
lie found little to interest him now in
what was going on on the stage. 1t
seemed rather foolish He wished the
sirl behind the forest would come
down and rest there Then she could
see the show herself. Then she co I'D
See
But there was a whir from the for
est, and the girl reappeared. this time
all IN red. right before him. And then
she looked down and smiled again at
him. And he smiled back. And then
he looked al Coward and saw him
smiling too. And then he felt very
distressing uncertainty. which brought
the color slowly to his face. He re-
solved to say nothing, but watch. And
ms observations convinced him that
the smiles had been for Coward. not
for him. And then lie lost interest in
the play.
They hustled into their overcoats TO
the playing Of the national anthem.
Hurry" said Coward. Let's get
out quick Amt She some dame?
There-through the side exit-the
stage door is that way She promised
to have her chum with her. They'll
be waiting if we don't hurry"
Coward steered him to the stage
entrance, where little group was al
ready congregated. In a moment the
girl appeared, handsomely dressed in
furs. With her was another girl. also
from the chorus. but Dave could not
recall her part. He was suddenly
aware Of being introduced.
This is my friend Belton," Con-
ward was saying.
Dave was about to correct him when
Coward managed to whisper:
whist! Your stage name. Mines
Edward Don't forget"
Coward took the first girl by the
arm. and Dave found himself follow
ing rapidly with the other. They cut
through certain side streets, up stair
fnf IL,
opened. Coward pressed a button.
and they found themselves in a small
hut comfortably furnished room-evi-
IDENTIFY bachelor apartments.
The girls threw of their wraps and
Sauntered about The place, while Con-
ward started a gas CRATE and put some
water to boil.
Sorry I've nothing for you to eat"
he said. but I've some. good medicine
for the thirst"
"Eaiing'S poor business when there's
thirst To he quenched," said one Of
the girls with yawn. "And, believe
me- I'VE long one"
The glasses were filled and raised.
"Ilo." said Coward
'lIere's looking" said one of the
girls.
Dave hesltated, hut the other girl
clinked her glass against his. Here's
looking AT YOU" she said. and she ap-
pearcd 10 lay special emphasis on the
last two words. Certainly her eyes
were ON Dawes as she raised her glass
to her lips. AID under the spell of
those eyes he raised his glass and
drained il.
other glasses were filled and
drained. The three were chattering
away. hut Dave was but vaguely con
scionS of their talk AMI could weave
no connected meaning in,o il. His |
head was huzzing with pleasant.
dreamy sensation. \ very grateful /
warmth surrounded him, and with il |
came Il disposition to 20 To sleep. He |
probably would have gone to sleep had !
his eye not fallen Oh picture on the
wall. II was a picture of girl point |
ing her finger al him. No girl |
could point her finger al him. He
arose and made lunge across the
room He missed her and with diff
Guilty reiraced his steps to the table
to make u fresh start.
"Shc'S maxim fun Of me-" he said.
AN don't stand for that. Nobody
can do that with me Nobody >oeY
don't low it,"
"Oh. you dnn't?" laughed one ~ the
girls. running into Il corner and point
ns her finger at him. You donl?"
lie turned his attention To her.
Steadying himself very carefully he.
FORE he attempted an advance. Then.
With wide-Stfetched arms. he bore
LEVIN cautiously upon her. When he
mad her almost within reach she dart
I'd along the edge of the room. He
attempted a sudden change in direc-
ion. which ended diSastrously. and he
'ound himself very much sprawled out
lpon the floor. He was aware of
aughtor. but what cared he? He was
disposed TO sleep. What better place
q sleep than this? What better time
O sleep than this? In a moIhent he
vas lost Ia all consciousness.
II was later in the night when he
elt himself being dragged into sit
ing posture. "Whcre am T. he said.
blinking nj the light. lie rose uncer-
airly 10 his feet and stared about the ! {