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

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. He 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 20
give her name over the telephone.
II am a friend of yours. Miss
Dare" q low and somewhat agitated
voice said, but it's better I shouldn't
tell you who / am until | see you.
| got to have n talk with you right
away. It's important. I'm at the
Plaza right now, but I can be at
your place inside of ten minutes"
But Jane objected. what do you
want 20 see me about?"
II can't say IL over the phone. I
got TO see you in private. | got
something To ask you. and | promise
you won't lose anything BY it.
Please"
"All right" Jane said. very much
mystified. The woman seemed so
Eager. 70 unstrunE. that she judged
the matter t. be important.
Ten minutes later a dark, middle
aged woman. e~xtravagsntly dressed,
came into the living room. She did
not seem entirely in keeping with
her silks and sahles. 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. IS She came
into the con she put ont her hand.
Miss Dare she said. I'm Mrs.
Davidson. Lew Davidson's wife"
"Nes?' Jane. almost bOwled over
ny the announcement. struggled to
maintain her e%omposure. I'm glad
20 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-these last few months"
But I've seen you there. Miss Dare.
and liked you. II 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 OF tragedy.
That's very nice of you, Mrs.
Davidson" she replied. Maybe my
chance will come later"
"Sure it will. You shouldn't think
I'm trying to flatter you, Miss Dare.
You're a fine little actress. This
Shirley woman - a gold-diEger. Now
here's what want to say. Miss Dare.
I've been a good and faithful wife to
Lew Davidson for twenty-eight years.
! cot some rights. Now along comes
a baby vamp, a cheater. a low-lifer.
and makes a fool of him. At his z
toe. Is IL right | should stand by
and see her break up my home? 2"
"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 her
morning, noon and night-the little
CRATER. He's crazy about her-old
fool what he is-or he would never
nave starred her in that picture. and
had all his friends laughing at him.
He thinks | don't know. as il a
woman should be blind. after living
with a man for almost thirty years.
guess she's hoping I'll divorce him,
so she can marry him herseiI. and
take my place, but | won't-never.
He's been my boy, and my man, ever
since was sixteen. and whatever ne
IS now, I'm going to stick to him
Yes, Jane ~murmured, observing
with dismay the tears in her visitors
eyes. I'm sure | should feel that
way. too, If ! were in your place.
But-what can | do about it?"
That's what | came here TO ask
you. Miss Dare. Lew-my husband
ne thinks this girl an angel-see-
thinks shes 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 woman-a
cheat. But ! can't prove il. III
could, IL wouldn't take long 10 open
Lew's eyes, but as il II, | can't saw
a word against her--not until /
know.
"You hear all the talk aroun 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