San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-09

We'll you ought to know all about
me-"
"Yes-I ought to- He gave an ug-
ly laugh. But who knows what to
expect of a chorus queen"
Jimmie :"
"Oh, what's the use?" came in
husky desperation. Lets be merry !. -
Sallie stared, bewildered, into the
darkness.
For three nights they followed the
same program-Sallie bewitching in a
new costume-he taciturn, unrespon-
sive. Twice during those three days
it drizzled and, instead Of suggesting
supper in the neighborhood, he drove
the short ten blocks to the weary
brownstone house where she boarded
and left her there.
"As if he was anxious to set rid of
me- sobbed Saliie into her pillow.
BY Friday she felt she couldn't
stand it another minute. Under the
glimmering stars she gazed up first
in mute pleading, then
Jimmie" she choked. take me
home. II guess Id better"
"Oh-another date"
"Maybe!' His tone had brought
defiance into hers.
"Well-can't blame you. What
chance has a mean little bracelet
against string of oyster tears like
that? Cad, what an ass I've been
Don't talk like that-don't!"
Il mean it-a saphead. Swallowed
| that diamond yarn whole-hook, line
and sinkcr.'
1T wasn't a yarn"
You'll tell me next your mother
bought the pearls, too"
mol did-they're imitation"
He flung back his head. His laugh
frightened her.
And l put you above them-way
on ton. But you're like the rest OF
them. Price--a string of pearls-a
diamond, Sit down. Sit down. |
say I'll get you home quick enough
White and terrified, she subsidized.
He crashed on.
"But you did put it over. Got me
with the baby stare stuff. Baby
| huh ~
Jimmie" the voice struggled to
keep steady swear to you"
Down on your luck-thought you
had an easy mark Then something
better-pearls came along. It's
tough, though. when the first time a
man really-cares-mo than he ever
thought" The words halted pain
fully.
"Oh, won't you listen? Jimmie
you--you had so much
But the other fellows got more. :"
They stopped with a jump that
made the roadster snort in protest.
"You-you don't understand" The
sobs clamored TO her lips.
She sprang out of the car and up
the steps.
MY deah-what's become of the
orange motah:" Miss Marietta turned
her round stare on Sallie.
What-d-do you mean:"
"Well, the yellow peril doesn't seem
| to be on duty any more
oh. He-he'S out of town.
MIN! Been out some time, | take
it,
"F-four weeks
Hin. Merciless blue eyes took in
the small white face. And the cob
bles. my deah:"
"What:'
pearls. The dog collar?'
sob. II p-Dut it away
Miss Marietta cast her eyes heaven
ward. You were wise child not TO
let him get back the diamond, too. >
she drawled. Its plain he's gone his
merry way tra-la."
Like whip Sallie snapped round
at her. HE HASN'T"
"Then where's the car, the car he
was giving you:'
Grace, entering. Uttered.
| Poor little ear shidded on the way,
Grucie, deah,"' announced Miss Nal
lard.
Salie'S throat closed in hard knot.
Her head almost dropped on the IA
bic. But not quite. Pride kept II
up. Pride and the determination
never to let them know how right
they were.
Yet Miss Mallard. having resumed
her tactics OF warfare, allowed to slip
no opportunity for attack. She leased
: and tormented and trala'd with rurr-
ing delight. sharp little talons iniIIct-
ing sew wounds.
Sallie BEGAN to stink into the dress
| ing room. as if to hide from insinuat-
ing smiles. And coming out OF the
stage door, she fairly ran round the
corner TO escape the torturing vision
of that line at the curb.
The pearls she had reckleSsly let 90
| After what he had said, she couldn
| bNar IN touph Them She even hated
the money-something more than hall
the amount she had paid-which was
| FINALLY refunded her.
One thing, though. she did deter
mine. There must be car, Never
must they be certain that Jimmie had
gone for good Sallie suffered and
waited. lived on bread and milk, and
hopelessly priced the cheaper makes
Other lips. mustached, clean shaven
! answered Sallie's plea of Wont you
smile at me?" Sallie did not hear
them. Other eyes sought hers from
| motors ut the curb. Sallie did moi
know they were there.
Then enc June day she saw a. sec
ondhand runabout painted a beautiful
/ blue for only two hundred and fifty
dollars. with weeks trial before
buying. Her diamond. She coulC
get enough for that, a few months
in which TO tear up to the stage en-
trance and spring out; TO display th'
4 shining blue bcay TO startled eyes: e
make them believe be had come back
Jimmie-who never would,
| When the chorus assembled for tn
| Wednesday matinee. n ring droppet