The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1921-04-15
Dead Sea Fruit
By FANNIE HUR


part in the workings of the solar sys-
TEN, or any possible surveillance over
the elements but it is certain that the
grayness of the spring dusk and the
chill which penetrated Delia's brown
jacket when she stepped from the en-
pfoyees' door of the biggest store were
traceable to that gentleman.
McChesney needs no introduction !;
he looked like an imported opera tenor,
and sold shirts and gentlemen's hose !;
he wore knitted, flaring neckties which
represented a wide and appreciative
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 d'hote, 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 a lower
West Side furnished room.
When Della reached her furnished
room the evening that McChesney had
sent her world tumbling about her the
usual atmosphere Of soaping clothes
and warming stew smote her with IN
usual pungency.
She lighted her one-fourth candle
power gas jet. Then she sat down On
the edge of her couch-bed and stared
at herself in the dresser mirror.
Nc gentleman had ever taken her
out before.
There had been another, Charley
Spuggs. He 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 %landlady stood there.
"a gentleman downstairs, Miss Del
ly-Mr. Spuggs"
"Tell him I'll be down." she said.
She buttOned up her blouse and went
downstairs.
Charley Spuggs bounded up three
steps to meet her.
1--WE come back, Delly!" he cried.
"For what?"
His elbow poked at her arm, a habit
she recalled.
Ser you-T'm ready for you, honey"
he chuckled, and watched her face
for the effect of the bomb he had ex-
ploded.
"Im maxim eighteen a week now
second assistant foreman. and 1 got
a cottage rented fer us just two blocks
from the foundry-garden in front and
stationary washtubs-eh, belly? That
amt bad fer a fellow like me?"
Della mOistened her lips.
you're getting there, Charley" she
replied.
Eighteen per amt bad money!" she
agreed.
He took her to a "Tables for Ladies'"
lunch Dom
"Pittsfield's a tank town, amt II"
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
tionary washtubs. l amt got no more
hankering after this burg"
Charley took in a noisy mOuthful
Of coffee.
We'll be something in Pittsfield,
all right, all right"
His sense of assurance and possess
sion frightened her.
Zone o in New York beats ten
In a Reub town." insisted Della.
He crumpled his paper napkin into
a tight wad.
what do you get out Of New York,
I'd like to known"
Il guess you're right" said Dolly,
jabbing 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 a lady, honey
-four rooms n stationary tubs"
They were out on the streets again.
Almost simultaneously, Della caught
a glimpse of McChesney. He was alone
and it gave her a shock.
Then the human flux closed about
the gorgeous man. and Dolly felt
Charley's arm poking hers.
"How about it, Della; is it the
twelve-thirty, tomorrow"
"Yes," replied Della suddenly.
In the grimness Of the front hall
Charley printed a smacking kiss on the
cheek h turned to him.
Good night. honey. Be ready be-
fore miner"
Then she closed the door after him
and went upstairs.
There was a small box on her dres-
ger.
1t was a One-pound box Of chocolate