Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-04-28
THE TIGER GIRL
BY JACK LAYTON.
,SeSeSeSeseeSsg Seseessggseses
&c. 1921. Western Newspaper Union. ]

AhS Eli WIN WAS ABOUT TO enter tne
room stood poised on the stair at
sound of voices below. She heard her
own name mentioned and waited. Her
hair shone tawny in the window light,
and her face was soft-tinted as a
flower. The golden lashes yelling her
yellow-black eyes glistened like sunny
dewdrops. She stood calm, expectant
Il call her the tiger-cat," her hostess
was saying. .We had one once just
like her, subtle, ever ready to stab
with her hidden claws. Greedy for
that which was-or was not her own.
Claiming, by cunning or force, IL might
be-, And yet, we could not part from
the thing. II had an endearing man.
ner of cuddling up to one, caressing
with its yellow head or begging pardon
with cushioned outstretched paws. That
is Pauline. When l lose patience with
her completely" Marion Dale smiled
her confession, pauline is sure to
come 1t over me one way or another.
She can charm and conciliate women
as well as men on those occasions
when 1t suits her purpose"
! The small person on the window
seat turned so that the listener could
see her face.
Aren't you bitter, Marion?" she re-
proved.
"Bitterr' Mrs. Dale's tone expressed
evaporation.
lie xxybn oh he Ton
with that woman taking Paul from
you, before your very eyes. And only
for passing whim to show her powers,
not that a public exhibition is nee
essary, mercy knows; for the men fol-
low her about for a smile or frown.
II do not think" Nell said slowly,
shat Pauline will throw Paul over"
Nell paused between the door
draperies.
maybe" she suggested, at might
be better, Marion, to try to tame the
tiger"
The golden-haired girl on the stair
scorned to move as the one whose
lover she had taken, came wide-eyed
toward her.
."You heardf' Nell asked in conster-
nation. Pauline nodded. She held out
her white fingers amusedly to the sun:
light and studied their shining nails
THE tigers claws" she quoted.
( The hall was silent and deserted.
Nell sinking down, upon lower step
smiled bravery up at the girl.
Pauline" she sad, "tell me some
thing of your earlier life in that far
away West. think that you must
have been brought up with people diff
ferent from US. People living by q
different code. To be so cynical one
must be unhappy. 1t hurt me to hear
you mock at sincerity. Now believe
In the good In every one"
The tiger-girl gazed through her
half-closed lids. "Even yeti" she
asked insolently.
seven yet" answered Nell.
Pauline leaned forward.
s"And l could take your lover from
you tomorrow" she declared.
'"Take him, and keep him forever"
She laughed, impishly touching her
pink finger tips to Nell's arm. "With
my claws" she tainted.
"Unless," Nell quietly replied, 81
think II best to clip your claws.
could-do that" ras
The golden girls smile was incredu-
lous.
"You?" she Knocked.
knowing Paul" Nell went on calm
ly, do you believe that he would still
care for you II he knew that you had
deceived not only himself, but others
more cruelly2 Paul is not that kind.
His sense of honor is strong and he
must believe beyond all question in
the woman he loves. Or else love
would leave him.
"When the maid brought up our let
tiers this morning one wrongly adj
dressed was tossed into my lap! She
had mistaken the name, and /, think
ing of other things, tore open the en-
velope absently and began to read.
There was no other beginning to the
letter than the word Dear" 1t was
from broken-hearted man, whom It
seems you had long ago charmed for
your school girl diversion. But when
you had carried the episode to the
point Of runaway marriage merely
to prove your triumph, you returned
immediately after the secret ceremony
to your parents, with desire that the
marriage be annulled.
"This they were able to accomplish.
because Of your minority. But the
man, 1t seems, continued true to his
after all the years. Some men might
overlook such letter, but to Paul 1t
would be the condemning revelation
of your nature"
sand you are going to show It to
him?" Pauline asked fiercely. From
the pocket Of her gray frock little
Nell drew the letter. With firm. hands,
she folded 1t into the hands of her
rival. NO" she said. I'm going to
give the letter to you. happen to
believe. you see, in good in others.
So shall leave Ii to yourself to be
true. You will have to find your own
way"
The clock on the landing licked
loudly; then the tawny girl spoke.
you have tanned your tiger, my DEAR"
she said, "and you shall have your
precious Paul. / never wanted him,
anyway" But when she reached the
top of the stair She stood, her finger
tips pressed to her eyes; when she
looked at the shining nails they were
wet with tears, Pauline smiled tremu-
lousy. Clipped Miss Tiger" she