Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-02-14
CHAPTER XXI


Hes tn best dancer in Elliston-
with tn exception Of Tony said Jill.
inconsiderately disregarding the fact
that Jack fondly imagined himself al
most, if not quite, Tony's equal to
the more common dance steps.
He looked at her and a little hate
full suspicion took Judgment at that
moment in his heart and mind, a
suspicion that was, soon TO be given
something on which 10 feed.
Fat Sweeney more than "opencd
his heart" that night 10 his daugh-
ter's guests. Pat liked to do things
right. lie enjoyed being called a
"jolly good fellow" But Pat wanted
ut least a showing Of appreciation
for his efforts. Incratitude and fail
ure to appreciate him was lead in
his heart.
Nike had invited some 20 couples,
besides those Of the drug store count.
Everyone had come; they always did
when the Sweeneys entertained. SO
the party numbered close to so. A
quick mental estimate at ? o'clock
told Pat the party already had cost
him over $500. not counting the
extras. He called Tony L one side.
Get this bunch o. moon-lushers
on their way" he entreated his
young friend. almost tearfully.
Tony passed the word to Jill. who
passed II on. In five minutes part
Of those scheduled for the Pittsburgh
party had donned their wraps. II
was the start of the exodus. Jill
waited. Her "other half" was abb
sent. Some time later the welkin
knew the exodus was under way. II
rang merrily. And still Jill waited.
II occurred to her that II was get
ting to be something Of a habit~
Finally she went out and climbed
into their sedan. starting up the
motor to heat the interior. for the
November air was cold. Her heart
told her that Jack was with Nita
Ravelle in some n Of the numerous
coy corners in the big. old-fash-
Toned blouse That Jack Built"
Having a petting party, presumably.
Tor she had noticed that both Of them
we're in a very sociable mood.
She looked out into the misty gray
Of the faint moon-lit morning. All
the other cars had departed. Sud
denly she caught the crunching
sound Of someone walking along the
graveled path. Jack at last. She
saw the outlines Of a mans figure
against the skyline and opened the
ear door as the figure stepped from
the walk and came toward the sedan.
There was a dull ache in her heart.
an ache that had been growing for
months, for she felt thct Jack and
she were drifting slowly but surely
apart. But she would make no ref
erence TO his evident philandering.
II he
She started back. clutching al the
door 10 pull il shut. The man was
rot Jack. IL was Professor lie
Tarte. and the professor was intoxi-
catedl
This ish luck!" he gurgled
thickly. as he grabbed the inside
handle OF the door. Il thought ]
wush gonna have { hoof it int
town. But M fr'ndsh Stu'rsh1l
gimme lift. | gesh."
mo. no-waiti' protested Jill.
placing her hard against his shout
der to prevent his entrance. Jack
my husband-isn't here yeti"
$50 mush bett'r" lie laughed
%drunkenly end pushed past her, flop
ping sprawled out on the back seat.
She was helpless. And so was the
profess o.. now that ne had found a
place 10 rest his weary legs. The
warmth Of the cars interior sent him
INTO dreamland within a minute.
And thus Jack found them later.
the professor sprawled across the full
length Of the back seat. and Jill
tired, miserable in heart. body and
huddled up in the other, sleepy and
mind.
She told him calmly and briefly
just what had happened, and she
felt convinced, even as she told it.
that he believed she was lying. Then
he told his story which, as it hap
pened. and she herself came to know
afterwards, was the truth. AS he
told il, however. she believed Of him
Just rs she felt sure ne believed Of
her-that he was lyingl
Puppets. the both Of them. EASY
money-money that had come quick
and Unexpectedly. obtained at the CO.
81 OF only a slight effort; money un-
earned BY real work, and therefore
unappreciated.
And now that same money was
turning them against each other.
For. had thew both been hus~. eS