Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-16
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
Nobody's Darling
BY MARTHA McCULLOCH-


BY MARTHA McCULLOCH-
WILLIAMS
What's this?" Warren asked, block
ing the. way Of n sheeted figure In
front Of him. Apparently It had the
neck OF a giraffe, SO distant was the
crown from the spread of shoulders.
But with draping Of thick homespun
linen, outlines were matters of faith
rather than sight. This was true Of
the, whole. company--of gay youths
gathered for phantom party"
wherein sheets, pillow and bolster cases,
napkins and such small deer. had been
impressed for masquerade duty.
This is-no, this ain t-nobody's
darling.' the giraffe answered in plain
tive fnlsetto; ~ amt fat--not little
bit--but nobody loves me either week
days or Sundays"
What shame-if there's enough
of you to love-" Warren returned.
making a fumbling clutch at n shrouCscd
arm. Let's feel I thought so - rs
his fingers identified buttons clearly
masculine. Sonny, You should NOT
begin to deceive this early. You're
With that he tried to swing the
giraffe across his hip-but met with
amazing resistance. His captive writhed
eel like from his hold and set huge,
heavy heel upon his instep, painting out.
Let go, unless you want a hole
stamped in your socks, Sammy War
Let's see your socks" Warren be-
gan bending and grab bbing the foot.
At his touch 1t was jerked free Of the
heavy shoe, revealing itself. small,
dainty, Enthusiastically fcminine---its
owner the while whispering angrily:
it---GnnilQH M
all evening"
''Put on your shoe and come out on
the piazza-nobody saw your foot"
Warren countered, dragging the girl
away. Giggles followed them. In the
encounter her high spiked headdress had
got away, letting the sheet droop like
court train over one elbow and fall
ing scantily below the other. The wearer
tugged spitefully at it. saying under
breath: "I'm sight know / am
and they pick on me enough when I'm
all set"
"Let them---no matter who they
arc" Warren said soothingly. Tell
me your name and III say enough sweet
things to make up"
mot If l keep my hearin'. Ugh l
hate sweet thinss!' the girl flung back.
Warren laughed softly. II see. No
body has said them-to you, " he said.
"Biind bats! l know you're pretty,
even through a linen sheet
"I'd ram you for that, If only were
n submarine" with menacingly lowered
head, "for making fun of me. You
know I'm Zarnh Zell, and, everybody
says. ugly enough to chaw wool with
the burrs in it,
'IIearsay is not evidence" Warren
all but whispered, parting folds Of linen
10 look into piquant olive skinned
face, now illumined by deep shining
ewes and dashed with damask bloom.
Dimly he recalled the Zarah Zell he
knew; this could not be the same, yet
certainly was. Its lucky you didn't
swear to what you said," he went on.
"It would have been rank perjury.
Every girl here tonight is prettier than
you are-but not one Of them half so
beautiful. :.
Paint makes y heap Of difference, IL
YOU put it on right" Iarah answered,
with an artless giggle.
The phantoms were in full tide OF
ehoulish glee. They had spread over
the lamp lit lawn, by twos or threes, or
blotches of curious half dozens. Zarah
looked at them through fingers held
under the sheet, saying judicially, Its
a mighty fine party
"Shail we go out to play with the
rcst ." Warren asked She nodded.
Under the brightest light she paused
IN soy in Warren's ear: Can you
understand how 1t feels to be finer than
ANYBODY. when all along you have been
tbe commonest lookingT
'I don't know, can you?" from War
rcn. >,
"Its hcavenly-I'm feeling it now"
Zornh whispered. "You see. at all the
other parties I've looked like rag
tag-tonight in granny's fine linen
sheet. nobody can touch me. / shall
slip awny before the undressing--then
nobody will know what's under It. But
they'll all guess who wore embroidered
else has any"
eve won't unmask,' Warren said. |
.Ill declare ourselves Guardian Ghouls
charged to keep the others in order.
And they will have to feed us in pri-
vate just the things We like. II they |
don't we'll put all sorts of spells on
them
'Scems like somebody has already
put spell on you,' m!ncing voice
said behind them. Warren laughed |
carelessy. That's all right, Min-as
it wasn't you," he said. Run along
ana pluS WITH 10 tut |
man after your heart"
II hate Jacky burden" Mincing
Minny complained. I'D rather play
with anybody else any time. And I've
got something to tell you-ever as fine
and funny
keep 1t till next week" Warren
right now I have other
uses for my ears. w.
Rude men deserve punishment,
Xarah said primly. II am going to
leave you strictly to yourself "
How nice of you! can think of
you undisturbed, Warren murmured.
Larah tossed her head so violently as
almost to dislodge her headspike. War
rem caught it barely in time. settled it
in place again and tucked her hand
over his arm, saying: II cease the
You are my fate. Come along
and let's get it over with. When will
you marry me?'
"The year after never Zarah re-
Ia i,,