New Britain herald., 1928-04-03

whimsy of Providence that elect cd to make her so different from other women.
 Sally found the miniature book. small enough 10 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 unaccustomed task of removing her makeup. Beside her cot bed she found small tin , steamer trunk, stencilled in red paint with the magic name. "Prin- cess 1alla." She stared at it in- creduously for long minute. then untwisted 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. Byhee had used in making her up for the first days performances: a big can Of theat- rical cold cream: squares of soft cheese cloth for removing makeup: two new towels: mascara. lip rouge, white face powder. utilitarian black comb and brush; tooth paste and tooth brush.
 "Oh, these kind poople.' 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 and which had been r infinitely described by the police in the newspaper account of the near two new dresses, cheap but pretty, the little paper ticket stitched into the neck Of each showing the size to be correct-l4.
 She was still knccling before her trunk. blinded with tears of grati- tude. when a coarse, nasal voice slashed across the dress tent:
 Well, strike me dumb. if it ain't 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 sin't rocking you to sleep and giving you your nice warm little bot,le""
 Sally rose slowly. the new dresses slithering 10 the floor in stiff folds. She batted the tears from her eyes with quick flutters of her cyelids and then stared at the girl who stood at the tent flap. tauntins her She saw a thin. tall girl. naked , to the waist except for breastp plates made of tarnished metal studded with initiation jewels. About her lean hips and 10 her knees hung a skirt Of dried grass, the regulation hula dancer" skirt.
 You're - Nita, aren't youo ?" Sally's voice was small, placating. "I'm--"
 "Oh. know who you are. You're the orphan hussy the police are lookin' for!' tho harsh voice ripped out. as Nita swung into the tent, her grass skirts svishing like the hiss of snakes. Furthermore, you're Pop Bybee's blue-eyed baby girl. And--you're the baby-faced little she-devil that stole my graft with that little midget! We'll. Princess Lalla. guess we've been introduced proper now. and we can skip for malities and get down 10 business. 1 Hunh"' And she bent menacingly over Sally, evil black eyes glitter ing into wide frightened blue ones.
 her mouth an ugly, twisting, red loop of hatred.
 Sally backed away, instinctivcly. from the snake-tongues Of venom in those black eyes. I'm sorry I've offended you, Miss-Nita--"
 'If you're not you will be! Want me to tip off the police: Well, then, if you don't. listen. because I want you to get this-and get it good, all of ito
 (Tn Ro