The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-09
CHAPTER XVIII
The Warning

Glicnrlst, as in calm elaboration, he
turned to the other window. peered
out inquisitively. then drew its shade
and walked easily toward her.
Hello, Parl." he said. surveying
a fiashily dressed girl Of %. dark.
pretty. almost delicate. How well
you're looking" he went on. Then.
quite casually. What's the matter
with the Window"
1T amt safe" she laid in a hoarse
whisper
Gilchrist smiled.
Are You going to advise me to
carry pistol, too?" he asked.
mo, just keep out Of the sight
Or she paused. almost afraid to
mention the name.
"of whom?" he inquired.
Joe Hennig." she said sharply.
1 thought Joe was in Black River"
He amt. though" she answered.
still very nervous. II told YOU he was
ashamed to go home. I told YOU he
was gonna stay here and get you"
Well?" queried Daniel.
Well-he stayed. I went to him
Ike I told you-and said It wasn't
you-and asst him to take me hack
And he said was liar and he was
gonna get YOU. I told YOU all that"
Yes; | guess you did"
While he was workin' untovn T
dldnt hear nothin' about him." the
girl continued. But little while
ago he lost his job and began hangfn'
around down here. He's l,een drinkin'
and talkin' wild, and come In to tell
you"
That's kind Of you. Pearl. but I'm
not afraid Of joe" he treasured her.
I am" she said seriously. Hes
got his gang. I know" There was
an emphatic accent on the last word.
How do you know" asked Daniel.
She hesitated a moment. embar-
rassed
Well, she said finally, last night
l met up with one Of his pals-and
he'd been dr1nkin' and he said Joe said
you was Twin on women and this
place was a blind and nobodys wife
was safe while you was in the neigh.
borhood. And this man said they was
gonna get together and drive you out"
She gestured Historically. They're
dangerous. Mr.. Gilchrist. For Gods
sake. believe mel For Gods sake,
telephone the policei'
There's no telephone here. Pearl"
he said evasively. But there's al
ways an officer at hand, and I'm
among friends. Don't worry. Sit
Gown and wait for the meeting.
haven't seen you in ages"
She did not heed his invitation. but
continued to pace the floor nervously.
Two weeks she corrected.
What are you doing?'
I'm workin' at Baylin's depart
meHt store she said. uneasily.
Like it?'
Better than bein' with joe" There
was defiance in her answer.
If you'd stayed with joe" he said,
with just the shadow Of reproach,
maybe he wouldn't be drinking"
He always did" she flashed back.
That's why l asked you to stick
around in Black River That's one
reason I quit"
'One reason?" he looked at her in
quiringly.
They was Others" she admitted.
a bit grudgingly. st wanted good
clothes and a good time-jus like
other women"
Yes" he said, seriously. looking
back into his own heart-''like other
women"
Pearl Strengthened up with an air
Of pride.
And I've got EN-" she declared.
waving boastfully at her costume.
Yes, you've got them" said Gil
christ, grayely. But don't you think
-sometimes-you and the other wom-
en-that they cost too much?"s
Il don't get you" She looked at
him q1izzically.
I only mean, he started, isn't
there something worth more than good
clothes and a good timer" He wasn't
sure she understood And neither was
she. "A good home" he went on,
with love in it-and little children"
Pearl hesitated a moment, pulling
nervously at a glove. Then she turned
her back on the question. AS had
been her custom when she faced I'M
pleasant things, she ran from it. She
hurried to the window and with a
cat-like approach drew the shade aside
just trif1e.
1--WE hadn't ought to be here talk
in" she flung back over her shoulder
as she peeped out the narrow slit. She
was trying to establish some basis for
her 2ght from his question.