The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-04-03

, should not be here" and her little
eyes were suddenly bitter with lone
illness and resentment against the
whimsy of a Providence that elect.
ed to make her so different from
other women.
Sally found the miniature book,
small enough to fit the midget's
hand. and gave it to her. then
stopped and kissed the little faded.
wrinkled cheek and set about the
difficult and unaccustoIned task OF
| removing her makeup. Beside her
cot bed she found small tin
steamer trunk. stencillcd in red
paint with the magic name. "Prin-
cess Lalla." She stared at 1t in.
credulously for long minute. then
UNFINISHED the wire holding dupli.
cate keys.
When she threw back the lid she
found shiny black tin makeup
box. containing the burnt-sienna
powder Mrs. Bybee had used In
making her up for the first days
performances: big can OF theat.
rical cold cream: squares OF soft
cheese-cloth for removing makeup:
two new towels: mascara. lip rouge.
white face powder. . unitarian
black comb and brush: tooth paste
and tooth brush.
"Oh. these kind peoplc." she
whispered to herself. and bent her
head upon the makeup box and
wept grateful tears. Then. smiling
at herself and humming a little
tune below her breath. she lifted
the tray and found-not the tell-tale
dresses which Pearl Carson had
given her aud which had been
infinitely described by the police in
the newspaper account of the near.
tragedy on the Carson farm-but
two new dresses. cheap but pretty,
the little paper ticket stitched into
the neck OF each showing the size
to be correct-14.
She was still kneeling before her
trunk. blinded with tears OF graft.
tude. when q coarse, nasal voice
slashed across the dress tent:
well. strike me dumb. II 1t aint
the Princess Lalla in person. not
movie! Don't tell me you're gonna
bunk with us. your highness! l
thought you'd be saving wood In
Pop Bybee's stateroom by this time!
What's the matter he amt rocking
you to sleep and giving you your
nice warm little bottle?"
Sally rose slowly. the new dresses
slithering to the door In stir folds.
She batted the tears from her eyes
with quick futters Of her eyelids
and then stared at the girl who
stood at the tent Zap. haunting her.
"You're-Nita. aren't your"
Sally's voice was small. placating.
TN"
"Oh, l know who you are! You're
the orphan hussy the police are
lookin' fort" the harsh voice ripped
out. as Nita swung into the tent. her
grass skirts swishing like the hiss
Of snakes. Furthermore. you're
Pop Bybee's blue-eyed baby grit
And-you're the baby-faced little
she.devil that stole my graft with
that little midget! Well. Princess
Lalla. guess we've been introduced
proper now. and We can skip Tor.
malities and get down to business.
Hunh?" And she bent menacinsly
over Sally. evil black eyes glitter.
Ing into wide. frightened blue ones.
her mouth an ugly. twisting. red
loop Of hatred.
Sally hacked away. instinctively.
from the snake-tongues Of venom
IN those black eyer. I'm sorry I've
offended you. Miss-Nita-"
III you're not you will bel Want
me to tip OF the police3 Well. then
Il you don't, listen. because ! want
ron to get this-and get Il good. Ill
Of I'll"
(To h Contiased>