Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-12
CHAPTER XIV

Late on the Monday afternoon fol-
lowing the private showing of
knights and Knaves," Jane Dare re-
ceived two telephone calls.
One was from Tony, asking her to
dine with him. lie had, he said. a
very important matter to discuss
with her. Jane. who had just refused
a dinner engagement with Ben Har-
dy. agreed; Tony was TO call for her
at half past six.
She had just finished dressing
when the second call came. A woman
was speaking; she preferred not TO
give her name over the telephone.
Il am n friend Of yours, Miss
Dare" a low and somewhat agitated
voice said, 'but it's better | shouldn't
tell you who | am until / see you.
! got To have a talk with you right
away. It's important. I'm at the
Plaza right now, but I can be al
your place inside Of ten minutes"
But" Jane objected, "what do you
want to see me about?"
~ can't say IL Gver the phone. |
got 20 see you in private. | got
something 70 ask you. and ] promise
you won't lose anything by Il.
Please"
"All right" Jane said. very much
mystified. The woman seemed so
eager. a GnstrunE. that She judged
the matter %. be important.
Ten minutes later a dark. middle
aged woman. e~xtravagantly dressed,
came into the living room. She did
not seem entirely in keeping with
her silks and sables. Jane thought
she might have been happier in a
muslin or calico wrapper. but there
was a quiet dignity ABOUT her which
came. not from her expensive clothes,
but from the sorrow which shone in
her eyes rested like a weight upon
her heavy shoulders. As she came
into the room she put out her hand.
Miss Dare she said, I'm Mrs.
Davidson, Lew Dayidson's wife"
"les2' Jane. almost bowled over
by the announcement, struggled 10
maintain her composure. "I'm glad
10 meet you. Mrs. Davidson. Won't
you sit down? | think I've seen you
at the studio"
"Not often, Miss Dare. | don't 90
there much-thcse last few months
But I've seen you there, Miss Dare,
and liked you. III my husband had
sense. he would have given you the
place he gave that-that Shirley
woman A harsh, grating nervous
ness IN her voice gave Jane an un-
pleasant feeling o. tragedy.
That's very nice of YOU, Mrs.
Davidson" she replied. Maybe my
chance will come later"
Sure il will. You shouldn't think
I'm trying "a flatter you, Miss Dare.
You're n fine little actress. This
Shirley woman is a gold-digger. Now
here's what want to say, Miss Dare.
I've been n good and faithful wife 10
Lew Davidson for twenty-eight years.
! got some rights. Now along comes
a baby vamp. q cheater, n low-lifsr
and makes a fool Of him. At his age
too. Is IL right | should stand by
and see her break up my home"
"Er-certainly not" said Jane
more mystified than ever. But
don't see what I"
wait a while. and you will. You
amt blind. You know he's with hei
morning, noon and night-the little
CRATER. He's crazy about her-old
fool what he is-or he would nevei
nave starred her in that picture anc
had all his friends laughing at him
He thinks ! don't know, as il 8
woman should be blind, after living
with a man for almost thirty years
guess she's hoping I'll divorce him
so she a marry him herseif, and
take my place, but | won't-never.
He's been my boy. and my man, ever
since | was sixteen. and whatever nc
is now, Fm going 10 stick to him.
Yes Jane murmured. observing
with dismay the tears in her visitors
eyes. I'm sure | should feel that
way, too. if | we're in your place.
But-what can / do about it?"
That's what | came here to ask
you. Miss Dare. Lew-my husband
he thinks this girl an angel-see-
thinks she's the softest, most inno-
cent young thing that ever put on
grease paint. He's the one that's
soft. I've been watching this girl,
and | know. She's a bad
cheat. But / can't prove IL. If I
could, it wouldn't take long 20 open
Lewis eyes. but a. il Is, ! can't say
a word against her-not until |
know.
you hear all the talk around the
studio. Can't you tell me something
about her-something | can use. with
him? Where did she come from ?
What's her history been-her past
You must have heard something.
Look here. Miss Dare she leaned
forward in her chair and placed her
heavy, fat hand on James knee