Evening star., 1923-04-01


slight uneverness in texture which
comes from the constant use of cos
metics. But her eyes were of u dark
gray and were singularly earnest.
Say. Amt II fierce to be OF of
job when you need it-getting deep
er in the hole all the t!me?' She
broke off. But l guess you've never
been as near down and out as we
have"
and out you've been" said Cherry
"uriously. She had approached the
fence and leaned against. 1t. The
girls frankness and self-eonfldence
smile which showed dimples and
pretty teeth. very white and even.
Good Lord. I don't like to think
of 1t now that things are coming my
way. Not dollar in the house for
weeks at q time and no sign or any.
You don't look az II you'd ever been
hungry. Well. that's what I mean"
No said Cherry. slowly. I've
never been hungry"
We'll, it amt pleasant" There
was pause. And then. Say, you're
swfully pretty" said the girl. when
did YOU bob your hair?"
oh, two years ago"
why did YOU? You must have had
e lot of it. Nix on the Greenwich
Village stuff for mine. I need nv
mop in my business. II lights IN
great when it's waved. Mary hasn't
anything on me-
II think your hair is very lovely"
said Cherry.
DO you? I'm glad. Say. what's
your, name: Mines Effie Burdette-
Meadowcroft Pictures, Limited"
My name is Margot Mohun But
people call me Cherry"
Cherry. Say. that's a swell name
for pictures. Have you ever had
test made ?'
NO. what's a 'test?"
Just few hundred feet Of Aim
70 see what you can do-what you
oh. No. haven't"
Effie laughed. Well. you can take
y from me, you never know what YOU
look like until YOU see yourself
..aimmed.' You might be all right,
though Haven't you ever thought OF
trying?
Well, I guess you're about the only
girl in the I. S. A. who hasn't"
-, Do you like the pictures?" asked
Like them? Oh. yes. But they
amt any pipe-at first. 1t takes a
lot of work to learn-watching the
stars-getting the technic. But I'm
pretty good; I get a salary now. I
may get lead next year"
"Oh, 7 hope you will And, of
course, it pays enormously
MOI me, II uOeSN mot enormous
y. But Tn, satisfied. I'm coming on.
Q. k
Cherry turned TO her in surprise.
You mean that you support your
whole family!'
Sure thing. Have a fag?"
She brought out a paper of ciga-
rettes and offered them to Cherry.
who took one. This young creature
had captured her interest and now
engaged her respect
Haven't you father?" asked
Cherry when she had taken a light
from the girls cigarette.
Down and out. He was house
painter Fell off ladder three years
ago and twisted his SPINE
And your mother?"
Ma! She's blind in one eye and
can't see out of the other. Got the
asthma bad. too" She gave a short
laugh at the ash of her cigarette.
Amt We the helluva mess"
"Oh, I'm so sorry
Ma used to fuss around the kitchen
some, but she mistook some soap fat
for stock one day and liked to have
poisoned us all with the soup. We've
got girl now"
catalogue of calamities was deliver
ed bewildered her listener.
But all this responsibility must
have been very terrible for YOU" said
Cherry genuinely.
could I do? There they are-help-
less. I couldn't lay down on the job,
could To-
Cherry realized with a keen sense
Of self f-reproach that this was just
what she herself had yesterday been
on the point of doing.
"I hate a auitter, don't your" Effie
went on. There were. times when I
was pretty near down and out and 1t
looked like curtains for Efie-or an
angel. But then every time I went
out to dinner with a man and ate a
lot of rich food I got to thinking
about what was in the refrigerator at
home-and about pas sore back.
Funny, amt it?"
II think I understand" said Cherry
slowly You're wonderful"
''Oh, no. But I know my way about
in this little burg. Say, Cherry,
Naybe could help you. to get