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


The mans lips parted. "You just
bet | will" came in flash Of white
teeth, and Sallie suddenly realized that
she had bces singing to the same
pleasant grin every night that week.
She was still wondering about him
as she made her way up the stairs to
the stage entrance.
Someone called "Good evening"" but
she passed on without noting.
Il say" pleaded the voice, wont
you smile at me againD
Sallie turned then. Descending from
a big yellow car was the man Of the
aisle scat.
He came nearer.
"Wait, please" he begged and his
teeth cleaned as they had in the the
alter. She hesitated.
He reached her, lifted his hat.
Come for a ride, won't you:" he
asked.
"Oh, I couldn't" she answered
promptly.
"Why not?"
"I-I just couldn't, that's ALL"
He gave her curious, somewhat
puzzled look. Round the park
orre?"
"I-I-no, thank you. couldn't
"Then let me drive you home"
Il don't live very far. 1 always
walk it,"
"Well, ride it tonight. Please:
Again that disarming CLEAN.
Sallie looked up with eyes clouded.
Its nice Of you to want to take me,
but"
But I've been coming here every
night this week, and until tonight you
never even knew I was alive. Don't
you think you ought to be a little
kind to a fellow who's as devoted as
that?"
-"Please-I- thanks just the same
she brought out finally.
She took a step toward the curb
away from him.
And just then Miss Marietta Nal
lard and Grace issued from the stage
door.
Swift as a bird, Sallie veered back
to him.
"You can take me home"-it was
breathless-"I1l let you do that"
Eagerly he helped her in, took his
place atsthe wheel. Sallic turned with
the sweetest of smiles, her head in
clincd in the direction of the two
girls.
The man in the yellow touring car
was amazed to find that Sallie actual
ly did permit him TO drive her home
and no farther. He had anticipated
that run round the park at least once
probably twice-possibly three
times. He had even anticipated coy
supper. But Sallie gave him her adj
dress, ten blocks from the theater
and though he urged with all the
masculine dominance of which he was
capable. she got out of the car in front
of brownstone house sagging as il
with the weight of its own years.
The man looked up the steep steps
to where flicker of gaslight sifted on
the broken mosaics of the vestibule.
rs this where you live?" he queried.
still holding the hand by which he had
helped her.
Sallie nodded as she withdrew the
hand.
Thanks ever so much" she said.
''Herc-just minutei You haven t
told me your name YETI"
cara May"
"On-the-level name, i mean"
"Oh''-she flashed him a smile
'that ones good enough. Goodnight.
7 Mr.-Mr.-"
Patterson. Jimmie Fowler Patter-
son. You'll notice. I'm not so sting!
as somebody else."
He sprang into the. car. "Well. ]
can wait. See you tomorrow, Miss
lara May"
Tomorrow and every other night
found the yellow car waiting at the
stage entrance.
In the chorus dressing room Miss
Marietta restrained her inclination to
persiflage for time. Then Sallie
came in one evening after the find,
act and caught her hunched on the
floor. meowing with all her might
while the alley cat reposed over one
ear.
Salle grabbed the hat and slapped
Miss Mariette's face. leaving the latter
too startled to retaliate in kind. And
when Mr.. Patterson begged her to
drive out TO supper, she stepped into
the ear. :.
I'D just rather ride if you don:
mind"
They spun. up Broadway, through
Seventy-seeond street and into the
enveloping shadows of Riverside.
Sallie was lost in the intoxicatioD
of tearing motor and racing Marcb
wind She closed her eyes.
When they opened it was TO meet
swift turn of road, the houses
mounted to a higher level and before
them, far into the star-eyed night.
stretch of wooded walk through whiC.j
the Hudson shimmered.
whats this?" she asked. hama
grasping his coat sleeve as if TO stop
the onward rush.
Lafayette boulevard. You've been
! up here-hayen't you!"