The Washington times., 1925-11-12
The Authors Own
Fascinating Story
of His Long But
Losing Battle
For Freedom
and Health

lead her back to the easy chair, the
one had been occupying. Tim
I'm here all alone in Dallas. and
I've missed connections. and-and
I'm broke. But that's nothing
she added quickly. 1--WE been
through about all a girl can go
through, so I guess I can stand
q little setback like this. Gee.
but it feels good to have some one
to talk to-some one that don't
want to take liberties. IL be-
lieve you're all right. / had a
strong bunch to come in. and I'm
glad I did"
In conversation with Pearl I
learned that she was from Ar
kansas, had been very unhappily
married at sixteen. had left her
husband and applied for divorce
within six months, had been os-
tracized by everyone" in conse-
quence, and had since been
knocking about the country"
not so much from choice as from
what seemed to her, necessity.
AS she told her story was
compelled to dismiss my first
idea that it was a stock in
trade" yarn; she was too intense,
too unstudied. too hesitant for
that. But the farther she pro-
ceeded the more uneasy be-
came.
My sympathies were being
aroused. She said she had
worked" severa! times, but had
''lost out" for different reasons.
Experience had made me more or
less familiar with her type, and
] knew she was doomed to mis-
cry, and probably an early grave,
II she didn't get Strengthened out.
1t may seem strange that l,
q dipsomaniac just over the bor-
der line into criminal ways again,
should be concerned over the pit
falls / saw ahead for this strange
girl, but such was the case.
knew the futility Of advice or
preaching; besides, in my condt
ton at the moment, whatever l
said might be taken for drunken
rambling. So l just sat there
and listened. Presently she said
something about Houston, SONS
thing about having good friends"
there, and a candy store where
she was popular, and could al
ways get a job. Without a mo-
ment's hesitation committed
myself.
Suspicion Mixed
I'm leaving for Houston at y
this morning" said. why not
60 with me? I'd thought Of get
ting a drawing room. if possible
and that requires two fares, any
wav You're welcome to come.
If you want to-"
She looked at me amazed; then,
with an expression indicating
suspicion:
"You-you mean you'll pay my
fare down there?' she asked.
And how do l know what you've
got In YOUR mind? IBID like
to get there, all right. 1t would
give me another start the right
way, but / don't know you. Do
you live here?"
Her attitude provoked me. Her
actions were inconsistent. she
had TO come into my room without
knowing me, now she was In
ferring that 1 intended harm to
her. Perhaps it was a clever
come-on stunt-just enough re-
luctance and fear to make me
plead with her and make 1t APP
near that she would be doing me
q favor by accepting my offer,
and not doing a favor for her.
"Oh, suit yourself" I ex-
claimed, rising abruptly and pour
Ing a drink. I'm pretty shaky
after a bad night. Just before
you came in l decided to get
drawing room on the 8 o'clock
train and try to sleep on the
trip. / merely thought you could
use one Of the tickets, that's all.
I'm obliged to buy two, as / told
you, and of course you do not
have to remain with me, once the
train starts and the conductor
has taken up tickets"
Aboard Train Together
/ must have shown considerable
Irritation in saying this, for she
began weeping before finished.
That, of course, made matters
worse for me. The upshot was
that she accepted my offer and
returned TO her room to get
ready for the trip. l at once
rang for a bellboy and arranged
for another quart Of corn whis-
key.
And this girl Pearl did accom-
pany me to Houston. There ]
was in Dallas. my home city,
where everybody knew me, trying
to keep myself under cover. yet
] had succeeded in being arrest
ed. and then deliberately sad
died myself with a companion
who was bound to attract atten-
ton to me in public.
We xHyanf IN III. IYpiop Cfation