davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08
BY BEATRICE BURTON

Some worn silk shirts had been
slung over the foot OF the bed.
An old leather cigarette case and
three ancient cigarettes lay on
the seat Of Ranny's leather arm
chair.
Peggy was painting as If she
had been running hard, as she
crossed the Uttered room to Ran
ny's clothes closet and peered
into its shadowy depths.
His kitbag and his old pigskin
suitcase were gone from the shoe
shelf where they habitually stood.
They were gone. Then she re-
membered the taxicab che had
just passed on her way home.
He had been in it.
Left Alone!
He was gone. He had left her.
He had left her-and their little
baby.
She stood once more in the
center of the room, staring blank
~ at the confusion all around
her. She could scarcely believe
that he had gone away like this.
I
mare. But she knew that 1t
wasn't a dream. It was as real
as the rain splashing against the
streaked window panes. She must
make up her mind to the fact
that Ranny had left her.
Then she saw that he had left
a letter for her. An envelope,
with her name dashed across it
in pencil, was tucked under the
little blue lamp on the bedside
table.
She picked it up and read the
few lines that Ranny had scrawled
across it:
"I suppose the only way to
make you see that / am not go
ing to live with you again Is to so
away. I have told my father
how things are and he will see
that you are taken care OF until
you get your divorce. The money
question can be settled then, OF
course"
That was all. Just the bare.
brutal fact. He hadn't even
signed his name to the note.
He had left his house and all
that it stood for, as carelessly
as he would have walked on: of
a hotel.
But where had he gone?
And what had he told his
father?
"I suppose / ought to go down
to see Father Phelps and find
out" Peggy thought. II suppose
I ought to know where / stand"
She knew that she ought to so
down and send Mother Phelps
car away from the house, too, Ard
Aunt Agony was still waiting for
her to return to the telephone,
probably.
But, somehow, Peggy couldn't
stir from tie room. She wanted
to stay here where she was hid
den from everyone-and from
everyOnes pity and curiosity.
She felt that she could never
go out and face the world again.
1t wasRf OnlK that she WAS
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

hurt to her very soul. She was
ashamed, too.
Peggy was ashamed as only q
woman who isn't wanted, can be
ashamed. A woman who has
given her whole capital of beauty,
and love and devotion to a man
and he had trampled them under
foot.
She had given Ranny every.
thing she had, and it wasn't
enough. He wanted somebody
else.
she had failed as a wife. Here
was the brutal little note as proof
of 1t. He wanted to be rid Of her.
He was sick and tired Of her.
She stood in the middle Of the
room looking at the piece of
paper. Then, slowly, she began
to sink down, until she was q
heap Of misery on the floor, her
head bowed into her hands. She
felt as IL she never would be able
to lift her .head again.
At the Door
Downstairs she heard the door
bell ring, and then the sound OF
Mother Phelps car going away.
The telephone was making the pc
culiars growing sound that It
makes when someone has left the
receiver off the hook.
But still she sat there, with her
head down in her hands. In the
palm OF one Of them was crushed
the note-a damp little wad now.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

vate sanctum was 4 palatial room
with satin wood desk, and
bowl Of superb chrysanthemums
on q rosewood table. Mr.. Ross
was as smooth and shining and
beautifully upholstered as his
room. He received Mafalda and
Frank with a. smiling gravity, but
he seemed subtly different from
the genial guest they had met on
the previous night.
Maffie allowed him to do most
Of the talking. He induced her
10 give him, In his own ROOM
q further demonstration of her
gift OF facial expression and
character Of acting. Ross watched
her with an inapassive coun-
tenance and q queer light in his
eyes. He spoke to her Of train
ing, and work and technique.
Come down to brass tacks, Mr..
Ross, said Matte, sitting back
In her chair. You say you turn
talent away. You don't want 1t.
But you want mel What have
you to offer?"
Thirty minutes later Mafalda
left the office Of the Ross Syndi-
cate with a check for $4,000 IN
her handbag.
What are you going TO do
with ii, Maffie, he asked.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

mountaineering up. Brace up,
Owen. old boyyou don't believe
the girl ID In any real danger s
The elder man sighed and.
moved to the door.
You boys had better stay here
tonight" he said YEARLY. I'm
going to bed. I hope you may
sleep better than l am likely to
do.
"A Humble Home
At $50 the next morning owen
and Frank Pembroke Wsre back
in their humble home. At
quarter to 10 Frank, unac-
companied by his brother, hurried
round 90 the Seaton girls flat.
He found Mafalda dressed ready
to 20 out: she was pale and tight
tipped. but there was an air OF dc.
termination about her. She asked
Frank brea thlessly for news.
Frank told her his fathers de.
cision. Jill was to have the serv.
ices Of the best criminal lawyer
in New York. Morton Bell. II he
could be engaged,
"I Wonder? murmured Maffic.
He has a great name. But what
about that young chap Belhouse2.
He got Madame Hamel off.
saw the trial. They're all after
him now" She was silent a
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08
MAFALDA AsTOUNDs COURT.

when his sons entered his suite
an hour later.
''WeIl,"s he asked. what have
you to say?"
II have this to say" replied
Frank and he made his appeal
for Jill's defence. He made It
clear and brief. He told his
father Of Mafalda's fears, that
popular opinion would be preju
diced against Jill.
eyes," confessed the steamship
owner.
Give Jill Seaton her chance"
he pleaded We brought her here.
For our sake, IL you won't do it
for hers, do your best for her"
shy boy" said his father
quietly, Ell do 1t for her sake
and for mine: but for hers most
OF all and for the memory she
brought me tonight. And be-
cause L believe that girl IL as
incapable of wrong as the girl
she reminds me of. / will zee
my New York lawyers tomorrow.
Owen gripped his fathers hand
The old man was surprised at his
sons emotion: he looked a. Owen
with keenly questioning eyes.
That's splendid OF you. Dad!''
cried Frank. 1T will cheer Ma
falda up! That's what they both
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08
Nolp Go on With lie Story.

wretched; in another moment
she would have sunk down upon
the sidewalk. But q competent
arm held her up, and an encOur.
aging voice heartened her.
Get in here. Open the door.
OwenP'
A dark figure was supporting
Matte on either side, and she
found herself helped into a closed
car that stood by the curb. 1t
was a welcome refuge from the
open street. Maffie sank down
upon Thea cushion. passed her up
sleeve across her eyes and looked
up blindly at Frank and Owen
Pemberton, who were bending
over her.
tsWe'H look after you, Maffie"
exclaimed Frank. who had got
hold OF both her hands. Don't
you worry. What Is it? Where. .
JilI?"
They've arrested herF' sobbed
Matte.
what for?'
Murder" said Maffie, and
buried her face In her hands.
"And they've got Pete. tool"
The two brothers looked stun
ned. Owens face turned white.
At first they could not follow
Maffie's sobbing incoherencies;
but she steadied herself suffi-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

that would have done credit TO
Aunt Agony, at her best.
"Humph!' she cried, IL wish
she'd say that to me. Ranny has
been given every chance in the
world to make something of him
self, Great buildings, indeedi
Downstairs a bell tinkled, like
the far-oHf chime Of a temple bell.
Ali the sounds in Mother Phelps
house were beautiful subdued
ones. She made housekeeping an
art.
my dear, that's the bell for
lunch," she said to Peggy. Wash
your pretty eyes and Wen go
down and have bite together.
And don't worry about this. tn
pass over, like a thunder shower
and you and Ranny will be happy
again. Go back to your cunts
house for q while. A little absent
treatment will do Ranny good!
She got up and put her arms
around her sons wife. And Peggy
who had never understood love
of a mother, felt closer to her
in that moment than she had ever
felt to poor old Aunt Agony.
It was still raining when they
finished lunch and Peggy N.arted
away from the house In Mother
Phelps own car. Halfway to her
aunt's she suddenly remembered
that she-had forgotten the baby g
clothes. She had left them in a
bag in the hall of the Little
White House.
"Please take me to my own
houses for a minute" she said,
leaning forward to speak to
Briggs, the new chauffeur.
AS they turned the corner OF
her street taxicab passed them.
Not until minutes later did it
occur to her that Ranny was in
that cab. All she saw at the
time was the bright colored
vehicle tearing along through the
driving rain.
As Peggy unlocked the door OF
the Little White House the rele.
phone was ringing loudly, as II 1t
were angry because no one an
swered 1t.
Not stopping to take off her
wet wraps, she rushed to 1t and
picked it up.
"Yes?" she asked, and Aunt
Agony answered her.
Very Angry
well. where in the world have
you been all this time? I've been
calling you for two hours" she
snapped. This poor baby's cry.
ing. and I'm going to give her
some milk. even IL it isn't her
feeding time. It's shameful to let
the little thing cry like this"
Even through the telephone
Peggy could hear the angry wall
OF her young daughter. She
glanced at her wrist watch. 1t
was only half.past one.
mo food for mistress baby I'M
til two o'clock. please" she said
to her aunt. Just let her cry.
It's gocd for her. It's wonderful
exercise for her--wait q minute
She laid the talaDhone On the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

GENTLY to tell them a few facts,
and the got an mixing OF the
tragedy that had happened.
Half in tears Maffie sobbed
out the story to the brothers.
They treasured her, Anything
we can do wen do" they de-
clared.
All the way to the HAT they
repeated words Of cheer and BY
the time they had reached the
alley Malta was almost hope.
full. Maffie burst out crying.
like a CT lid.
You're a good friend OF u.s."
Maffie said, trembling catching
at Franks hand. You and
your brotherp'
She turned to Owen, her eyes
sought his face, and she held
out her hand almost timidly. He
looked at her for a moment.
took her hand, and let it go as II
it burned him.
All Alone
Maffie turned away, dropping
on the sofa, burying her head IN
her arms, her orange and black
frock bright against the dusty
horsehair.
Good night" she said broken
Richard Pemberton was alone
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

Presently the doorbell rang
again, and again, and again.
Probably the dry cleaner call.
ing for Ranny's SUITS" she
thought, but she did not move.
The door bell rang twice more
and then was silent.
After a couple of minutes some
little stones battered sraartly
against the windows Of the room
where she sat. Then another
shower of than came.
She got up then and looked
out.
Aunt Agony, with her hat on
one side. and anger burning in.
her saIlow cheeks, stood out on
the rain-soaked driveway.
1t was she who had been
throwing the gravel at the wins
dows. She had handful Of Il
in her gloved hand now.
Her lips moved rapidly as she
looked up and saw Peggy stand
ing at the window. She notioned
for her to come downstairs and
open the front door.
''My stars! ] thought you were
dead when you didn't come back
to the telephonep' she cried as
she stepped into the house. The
first thing she did was to put
the receiver back on the hook
with a bang.
ITO Be Continued Tomorrow
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08
eSUJHY. certainly" said the in.
spector grimly. You may

6SHTHY. certainly said the In
spector grimly. You may
20 as soon as you like"
Maffie stepped forward.
.And my sister, she cried.
Quinn looked at Jill.
s6iss Seaton. he said quietly.
eli Is nv duty to arrest, YOU.
jim turned ashen white.
ssWhat am / accused OFT she
Maid And then. as IL the words
were wiring from her. You cant
charge me wito--with murders!
Maffie gave a strangled cry. !.
sYou can't do it: Let her go!
She is as innocent as--you areF
The detective turned stoney
eve on MafaIda. but 1t was to Jtli
he spoke.
'eThere is nothing more to be
dome tonight" he said quietly.
IN a moment Maffie had her
arms round Jill and chung TO her.
"a q storm Of tears.
.Mafalda was separated from her
sister, gently but swiftly, She
had a iast glimpse Of Jili's white
face. and after that Maffie had
no idea what happened to her.
till she found herself sobbinR
0istractedly outside.
Maffie,s knees gave way under
her. She felt utterly lost and
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

She's dead now, so it's all right
for me to tell you her name"
She paused for q moment and
looked out Of the window. And
her eyes were heavy with mem.
cries. Then she gave herself a
little shake and went on with
her story.
"Jamison was in love with Mrs.
BrownIee for four years and /
never said a word to him about
it." she said. "If he was out
until midnight he was never
questioned b. me. AS Lolly
would say, / sat pretty and
waited until the thing was over.
And when 1t was over my hus-
band came back to me, and /
took him without a word. Later
on there was another woman"
She stopped abruptly and shook
her handsome head with its
crown OF silver hair.
mo, there's no use in my
telling you any more" she de-
clared, "but you'll have to do
what l did. You'll have to fold
your hands ana wait until Ranny
COMES 10 MS SSHSSSs anu ne VIII
come to them. He'll grow tired
of this Delano woman. What
does he see In her, anyway?
She's not pretty
FIattered
She flatters him." Peggy ex-
planned, patting her wet blue
eyes with her handkerchief. "She
tells him that he's genius, and
that it's a shame he, has to waste
his time in a real estate office,
when he SHOULD be planning great
buildings. She tells him that
it's a shame that he has to spend
his life earning money for me
and the baby"
Mother Phelps gave snort
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

moment. and turned to Frank
again. 1.-THE police have got
Pete, she said. dropping her voice
q little.
my father will not touch the
defense Of Pete. said Frank.
Maffie Rulped slightly, Then
she shrugged her shoulders.
We'll. / didn't expect II. I've.
been awake all night. making my
own plans. And guess can
make good vet. She picked ~
her gloves and laid her hand on
! Franks sleeve. You know
you've got an appointment with
me. don't your"
Appointment? Where?"
.'Hyams Ross. the movie man.
at eleven
You mean to say you're going
to follow that up-noW!s said
Frank. After what's happened?"
Sure" replied Maffie quietly.
DO YOU know what I'm after?
Money! I've always wanted
money: but never so badly as
now. But don't you want to
come with me. Frank"
OF course. I'll cone!" he said
quickly. I'll 20 anywhere you
ask me, Maffie. =
At eleven TO the moment they
arrived at Hyans Ross offices
on Broadway. Mr.. Ross prf-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

II am going to see John Bel
house, for Pete's defense.
The Trial
Exactly three weeks later. the
parker case came up for trial ct
criminal courts.
-Four hundred pairs Of eyes were
turned on the saturnine olive
face in the dock, as Jill and
then Pete Angelo pleaded not
guilty. to the charge Of killing
Terry Parker
Not guilty
The court was packed. The
amazingly intriguing vet incom
pIete evidence that had been
brought forward at the inquest,
and the curta9ed proceedings
during the magisterial inquiry
three weeks previously, when the
defense was reserved, had Whet-
ted the appetites Of even the
mist jaded habitues Of the Grim
inal court.
Further. the fun story Of Ma
falda S appearance at the Penn.
berton reception had now been
common property for b month
past, and had turned the strings
OF public curiosity to q stfII high
er pitch.
lTO BE Confined Tomorrow
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

6CUoU'LL do nothing of the
: kind" Mother Phelps put in,
sharply. You've got to stick to
him. now, as you always have
stuck to himi That's the biggest
part Of a wife,s job-to stay on the
lob. no matter what happens.
You're not the only woman in the
world whose husband il unfaith-
full to her. There are thousands
and thousands Of them. gritting
their teeth and bearing itp'
Peggy shook her head and
closed her eyes to keep back her
tears.
ssBut you don't know how aw.
full it is. she began.
"Oh, don't II" Mother Phelps
asked. She leaned forward in
her chair and took the girls cold
hands between her own warm.
cushiony palms.
Listen to me, Peggy" she
said, 'fI'm going to tell you some
thing that We never spoken OF
II to you now, because know
what you're going through. /
know-because l We been through
II with Ranny's father"
Peggy opened her wet eyes and
stared at her. Father Phelps"
she asked. shaking her head, un.
believingly. She couldn't believe
that Father Phelps had ever been
Don Juan, like Ranny. She
had always thought of him as the
kind OF man who is under his
Wife's thumb. and had always
been there.
Eyes. Father Phelps was just
like Ranny when he was young"
Mrs. Phelps said solemnly to
Peggy. 'I can't begin to tell you
how I felt when / found out
about him and a Mrs. Brownlee.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

While DIR. w, b. Caldwell, of Mon.
ticello, ILL.,, practicing physician
for AZ years, knew that constipa-
ton was the curse of advancing
age, he did not believe that a
purge" or "physic" every little
while was necessary.
To him, It seemed cruel that 80
many constipated old people had to
be kept constantly stirred up and
half sick by taking cathartic pills,
tablets, salts, calonel and nasty
oils.
In DR.. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin
he discovered a laxative which
helps to regulate" the bowels 81
old folks. DR.. Caldwell's Syrup
Pepsin not only causes gentle,
easy bowel movement but each dose
helps to AstEenGthan the AboN0l
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

Or else he was still here, perhaps.
Forgetting all about Aunt Agony
at the other end OF the wire, she
dashed up the stairs and into the
bedroom that Ranny and she had
shared. 1t was In wild confusion.
The dresser drawers stood open,
The door Of the clothes closet
stood open. A couple Of paste
board boxes lay on the floor.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08

; table and walked over to the
stairs with Wide. startled eyes.
On the third step from the bot.
tom lay a mans glove-Ranny's
glove. It was one of a pair that
Peggy had given him at Christ
mas time.
She picked 1t UP. It was damp
and rain spotted. Ranny had
been here while she was gone.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08
Purge" and
"Physics" Bad
for Old Folks

muscles, shortly establishing natur.
al regularity" 1t never gripes,
sickens. or uspets the system. Be.
sides. it is absolutely harmless and
pleasant to take,
IT past fifty, buy large 60-cent
bottle at any store that sells medi-
cine and just see for yourself.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08
Origin of BARRIERS Poles

THE letting Of blood an operation which fathers placed
great faith was done by BARRIERS who kept specas pole
their shops which their patients grasped while 9nusE
When the pole would be set outside the oOOr
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08
Oceans fullest Waves

DECENT Investigations with the aid Of special
- the talest waves ~
only SO n rough sea they Usually aJ
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-07-08
An Absorbing Romance With a Myster'
To Which the Moving Pictures
Furnished the Solution
Read This First

halfsister, In snau hat
Heatheredge ana ne
building where she WORKS or
He tells mel. ne Eealy
dsappears
Heatheredge
ne
his father VINO already
her flat maklng ner
f0IOs
offer to keep ms ldenl
wharf
shadOWing follows them Dorm
threatens
with
him Into the river tries and jill home The next
and Owen PeHnDerton yo.ns
father, English ship
pretenOus party az the Ez Inc IRIS ases
of
hapn "
TO at Ritz gatneFlg
movies. Mafaida OF
and jill taken
questioning By Detective QUINN Frank Penn
shield but the latter
not nt Il and murder Of Terry Parker.
NnLn Gn On NTH the SfOrH.
Evening star., 1926-10-03

The State regent, Mrs. James M.
Wiley, was the guest Of honor. Her
greetings to the chapter were happily
received and her remarks relative to
the work Of the State and National
societies were welcomed enthusiast
cally. Mrs. Wiley spoke with special
reference to the reception to be held
by the District chapters in honor Of
the president general, Mrs. Alfred j.
Brousseau, on October 20.
A musical program was rendered.
A theme in variation by Chamanaude
was given by Mrs. Charles v. Inlay.
In response to an encore Mrs. INLAY
played a selection by Chopin. Mrs
O'Brien, accompanied by her daugh-
ter, Miss Coleman. sang Dawn" and
Harriet Wares Boat Song"
The chapter was honored in having
present Mrs. Harry Grove, State
chairman of Continental Hall and
Revolutionary Relics. Mrs. Grove out
Evening star., 1926-10-03
NOTHING BUT WORK
. FOR JUGOSLAV KING
Alexander Too Busy to Think
About Any Social
Diversions.

RELGFADE October 2.-Eing Alex
arder Of JuSoslavia is among the
haraat working soverelgns in the
word
The vCung SlaN ruler usually rises
At in the morning, and works at
Affa irs of state until late at night.
He sees on an average of three cabinet
minister's SIX generals, several diplo-
mas and numberlesS private persons
each day. He gives no time 70 re-
certions. entertainments or hanquets.
He believes a King ought 10 work as
hard as he hur1hleet citizen.
There IS actually no court life at
Fe'@rade The routhful monarch of
the tr'r~e Kingdom ct Serbs. Croats $
an6 SloNenes gives most of his time
TO the Dstion business. He does
not merely consult the cabinet min
listers AND heads o. departments on
state policy. hut gives them orders
and advice. No move Of any impcr.
.tsnce is ever made by the cabinet
without his approval
Alexander has no diversions. He
never goes to the theater opera or
races. The things that usually at
traCf Kings 90 not interest him
Music and lNnS walks through the
countryside are his only distractions
Evening star., 1926-10-03
ROYAL FRUITS RAISED.
Vegetables Also Grown in japanese
Palace Garden.

TOXIC. October P).-All the
fruits and vegetables for the dining
tables of the Emperor and Empress.
Prince Regent and Princess Nagalxo are
grown in the Shinjiku Palace gardens
by expert gardeners and carefully in
spected in order that no taint may be
permitted TO reach the imperial
stomachs
The gardens occupy several acres
and include a number OF large hot
houses. All varieties OF vegetables
are raised during the entire year
When the royal family is away on
vacation. these special vegetables and
hot-house flowers are sent to them
daily in ice-packed private cars.
Evening star., 1926-10-03
MOVIE CITIES JOIN
MINE CAMPS AS GHOSTS

HOLLYWOOD. Calf. October =
Ghos. cites Of the Vests mining
.days h}esk memorials 70 a golden aSe.
are beng Joined in desolauon by the
deserted villa EeS OF 4 newer industry
-tha oaStoT Sets of the tiIm makers
These towns NAV be no more for
never rue'hrd~ are coming II and
screen towns made Of cauvas--trans.
.%crtah stuf tat can ne carried off
And used Ealn--are being brought in
Iy com panles who specialize IN build
zig towns - order.
, The dead mining towns are all alike
but the relics left by picture com
panies are varied. They might he
paint smeared bits of Italy. left on the
kshores Of Catalina frigid Alaskan viii
leges on the snowlne of the Sierras,
or hulking strongholds on a desert in
Nevada.
The canvas cities. which include liv-
ing Accommodations for the company.
are erected to meet immediate require
= ments.