South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-22
.IIenn. InEal,

where Leila Fairfax rested against
her pillows with as deDonair and
care-free a manner as n she were
going 20 pay the most casual after
noon call I marveled at her as !
followed her in. my face still ting
llng with the flush her scathing
words has brought there. Not that
I minded the gibes she had thrown
AZ me. but the reference she had
Bgain made 90 some mysterious de-
lection OF Dlckys had stung me for
an instant. even though I knew how
utterly unworthy Of credence any ut
terance OF hers would be.
"Oh. Rita" Leila fairly gaped
the words. "AIadEe says"
Please spare me that" The girl
whom we had known so long as Rita
Brown flung out her hands, palms
turned outward as If she were re-
peiing something loathsome. I've
listened % what 'Madge says just
about as long as I can stand IT, Now
I'm going % say few things. and
Z want YOU 20 listen carefully"
She pulled chair near tho bed
rat down, crossed her shapely feet.
End bent forward inSolently.
you quite fancy yourself. don't
you. dearie Or
Leila started. looking az her with
something akin 10 terror in her
eyes. / guessed that never in their
lives together had she heard such a
tone from Rita Browns lips. But I
knew that tho mask the girl had
worn so long was down. and I sur
missed that she actually was revcling
in this chance 10 revert TO the gutter
repartce in which she had been
reared.
quite a proud southern beauty
on a pedestal, an r. F. V, and all
the rest Of that rot. aren't you? on.
I know I've Jared you many a time
I've seen YOU vince at some OF the
things I've PllIcd of. but YOU didn't
dare say a word. did you. sweetie.
because OF the times Bita's money
stepped in and saved YOU two pulling
failures from. starvation or the next
thing to it."
Leila's face was whittier than be-
fore, If that were possible, and in
her eyes, as she turned them invOl-
UNFAIRLY 20 mine, were such pain and
humiliation that I almost stepped
forward 10 silence Rita Brown by
main strength If 1 could do it in no
other way.
But a flash Of intuition told me
that Rita was consciously or uncon-
sciously doing the very best thing
possible for Leila If the gentle
Virginia girl could be convinced Of
the utter worthIessness Of the friend
whom she had trusted. it would be
an easy task TO prove 10 her Al
fred's innocence Of the things Rita
had said against him.
II suppose YOU think 7 threw out
the shckels because 1 loved you
So" she hummed life words mock
ingly. Let me enlighten your con-
ceited innocence. I would have let
you both starve. only that I needed
YOU I'm my business-never mind how
or where. that is none Of your af-
fair, And 7 can't remember the
time when / wasn't bored 70 death
by the sight Of your baby face"
Leila put her hands over her face
as II 20 shut out the woman who was
tormentlng her. Rita laughed mali
ciously.
'Tisn't such pleasant turtle-dOve
cooling as you've been used TO late
~. is IT, dearie?" she asked mock
sngIy. then her tone changed TO one
OF cold fury.
You chicken-hearted. poor-spirit-
cd. little calf" she said. What ALI
Durkee can see in YOU. beats me!
You haven't backbone enough 10
stand mp for your man two consecU-
tive seconds. but the first story YOU
hear against him YOU run bleating
TO THIS other calf. and resolve never
20 see him aEain. Rah, 7 thought
] hated you when 7 knew All was
going 70 marry YOU, and I planned
the sweetest revenge. But YOU bit
So easily. swallowed hook line and
sinker. that hate IS TOO good an emo
fion TO hand you. just despise YOU,
the same as All would IL he knew
how you fell for the rot I told YOU
"Oh, MadEe. Madge.' Leila shrek
I'd. What ia she saying? Didn't
Alf?"
"No. All didn't" Rita Knocked.
And II that other woman opens her
face I'll go straight 10 ALI and tell
him what an easy mark YOU were.
But I'll tell YOU now that there
wasn't a word Of truth IN what
said You can have your honey-boy
back unsmirched But-take my
advfce. and don't ten him about this.
Hc might be a bit peeved. Get out
of my way"
She had whirled toward the door,
and She threw the words at me as
~ 7 were a dog. But I was too g,ad
at the completeness Of her repara-
tion 20 heed or resent anything she
might say.
I simply moved closer to Leila as
the door closed. hoped forever. be-
tween her and the girl Use knew as
Rita Brown.
"A the swift tapping OF Rita
Browns high -heeled shoes died
away down the corridor, Leila put
out her hands 10 mine as n for help.
and then burst into a torrent OF
historical sobs.
let the shamed tears have their
way with her without attempting
any other comfort than strokmg the
1uunbled HAIR against my shoulder.
The tension OF her nerves needed
5ust such on outbreak. knew that
she would be more composed after
A.. and. I hoped. amenable 70 the
course 7 wished her. for her hfe's
happiness, 20 take. The only prob
Sem now was 20 keep Alfred DurSea
from suspectfng how nearly his hap
piness had been wrecked because OF
p wicked woman's falsehoods and
his little fancee's credulity. How
Ear Leila would aid me IN this task