The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-03-19
THE BENNINGTON EVENING BANNER SATURDAY. MARCH 49, 1921
Dead Sea Fruit
BY FANNIE HURST
(copyrlghtj

Now. McChesney may have had no
part In the workings Of the solar sys-
TEN, Or any possible surveillance over
the elements but 1t is certain THAI the
grayness Of the spring dusk and the
chill which penetrated Delia's brown
jacket when she stepped from the en-
ployees' door of the biggest store We're
traceable to that gentleman.
McChesney needs no introduction;
he looked like an imported opera tenor
and sold shirts and gentlemens hose;
lie wore knitted, aaring neckties which
represented q wide and appreelative
feminine following.
His past was checkered with Delias,
and his future promising; he was sug'
gestive OF musk, throat-tablets, and
bay rum.
SO much for McChesney.
He had invited Della out to dinner,
and incidentally transformed her
world into an Eden Of artificial palms
and table dhote, an enchanted wood
fragrant with musk and bay rum.
But today McChesney had failed
her.
Late In the afternoon she saw him
talking with Maisie Tompkins, Of the
jewelry.
Della lived in New York In lower
West Side furnished room.
When Della reached her furnished
room the evening that McChesney had
sent her world tumbing about her the
usual atmosphere Of soapng clothes
and warming stew smote her with UNI
usual pungency.
She lighted her one-fourth candle
power gas Jet. Then she sat down on
the edge Of her couch-bed and stared
Mt herself in the dresser mirror.
No gentleman had ever taken her
out before.
There had been another, Charley
Spuggs. lie had gone out Of her life
when he left the hardware department
for the vague West, and his memory
and his promises were as dim as the
tintype on her dresser.
There came a knock at her door.
Her landady stood there.
"a gep'lemap downstairs Miss Del
ly--Nfr Spuggs!'
eTell him IN be down" she said
She buttoned up her blouse and went
downstairs
Charley Spuggs bounded up three
steps TO meet her.
I've come back, Dellyl" he cried.
For what?'
His elbow poked at her arm, a habit
She recalled.
Fer you--Im ready for you, honey"
he chuckled, and watched her face
for the effect OF the bomb he had ex.
ploded
I'm maxim eighteen O week now
second assistant foreman, and l got
a cottage rented fer us just two blocks
from ne foundry-garden in front and
stationary washtubs--eh, belly: That
amt bad fer a fellow like meI'
Della moistened her lips.
You're getting there, Charley" she
replied. rg
Eighteen per amt bad money! she
agreed -
lie took her to oTables for Ladies'"
lunch room
"Phtsdeld's a tank town, amt it?'
she asked suddenly.
1T amt, when you git used to it,
you'll have a grand time Delly-there's
four rooms in the cottage and sta
tlonary washtubs. I amt got no Inore
laundering after this burg
Charley took in a noisy mouthful
Of coffee
wen he something in PittsGeld,
all right all right"
His sense of assurance and possess
sion frightened her,
zone room in New York beats ten
In q Reub town." insisted Della.
He crumpled his paper napkin into
a tight wad.
'What do you get out of New York,
I'd like 10 know
Il guess you're right said belly,
labbng at the butter "it amt no life"
Charley Spuggs leaned across the
table, and his nondescript face was
even mellow.
Were going to be married in the
morning and clear out on the twelve.
thirty--you're going to be lady, honey
-four rooms and stationary tubs"
They were out on the streets again.
Almost simultaneously, Della caught
a glimpse Of McChesney. He was alone
and ii gave her a shock
Then the human fiux closed about
the gorgeous man, and belly felt
Charey's arm poking hers,
How about it, Della; is It the
twelve-thirty, tomorrow
Yes" replied Della suddenly.
In the grinmess Of the front hail
Charley printed a smacking kiss on the
/ eheel, she turned to him.
Good night honey, BE ready be-
fore nIne"
Then she closed the door after him
/ and went upstairs.
There was a small box on her dres-
ser. ..
1t was a one-pound box of chocolate
bopbons; underneath the lace paper
was a note written in lead pencil.
| Dear Kiddo:l
Sweets to the sweet, win you come
/ TO the hop with me tomorrow night
at Cloots IL | call around for YOU?