davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

first time. the man they told her
was her father
Up the stairs in single file, the
three of them had gone. Mrs.
O'Day, leading, then Nancy, then
Dairy. Mrs. ODay opened the
door softly and one by zone they
entered to stand over the bed
where Monty Deane, jr., was
lying, his eyes closed.
There was single candle burn
ing on a table beside the bed
and when the door opened, Great
ing a draft, the flame sputtered.
filling the room with grotesque
moving shadows. To Nancy it
seemed as though she was being
led through a weird ritual. -
Nancy knew death made peo-
pie afraid. She had seen Julie
Abbot die. Now her father was
here, and he was dying, so Mud
and Dairy told her.
She looked down at him and
wondered. What force was it
that had brought Julie and Monty
Deane together? What dit,
ferent course their lives would
have followed had they never
met.
Had they never met, these two
from such different stations in
life, there would be no Nancy
kneeling now beside the bed OF
Monty Deane. FER father was
breathing heavily. He seemed to
he asleep. Mrs. O'Day's stubby
forefinger was raised to her lips.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

about "foolishness" and boy
struck girls"
And then every night, Aunt
would say. II hate to have to
question you this way, Joan, but
YOU understand why 1t il neces-
sary. have my promise to your
grandmother to keep. You're still
under age-and il you defy me,
there are those you can't. Have
YOU cut off your friendship with
the Sedgwicks, and that Nailor
girl?"
Joan sighed, and went at the
pencil. "Oh, darn school. Darn
living. Darn everything. When
you have no friends, and no one
in the whole world to love, it's 20
use"
She slammed the book shut, and
leaned out the window. 1t was
such a gorgeous, springy day! To
have to be cooped up in the house
all alone, when everyone else is
out having a good time! Hilda and
Dorothy would be way up by the
power house on the hill now.
They'd be getting wild flowers,
Indian paint brushes and peoples.
Talking about her, too, maybe.
They didn't understand. She
couldn't tell people all about Aunt
Babe and Aunt Evvie and how
queer they were. You have to
stick up for your family a little,
even If they are funny.
II wish my mother had dropped
me off the ferryboat, too. don't
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

Nancy looked up at her. What
a saint she was. plump saint
with work stained hands, scold-
ing saint who never, never would
become reconciled to the failure
Of the delinquent Dairy.
She studied Monty Deane. The
white spread was pulled IN close
around his chin. accentuating the
black and the white of his un.
shaver face. His beard was dark.
but his tousled hair, thin at the
top, was shot with gray. He
was thin, wasted looking. She
was struck with the resemblance
of the face on the pillow to the
face of Caroline Glendennin9.
Deane. The mould of their
mouths was identical. She i'm.
agined when he opened his ewes
they would be as gray as his
mothers. and she hoped they
would he warmer and have a
kinder look in them.
All well, she was not such
child that she didn't know that
suffering changes the expression.
She could see without telling that
this man had suffered. "He's
been laying just like that ever
since mornin'," Dairy whispered
hoarsely. '"rhe doctor says to
let MN be. There amt nothing
a BODY can do but let him be-"
Ssh s-s-s-r
Maggie O'Day. the work worn
SAINT, gave such n sh-s-s-s that
Dairy Jumped. lie backed up
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

Only Wllat?o HiIda's dark
eyes were swapping. Her broad
shoulders in their white woolly
sweater were thrown back
haughtiIy.
they were an odd pair; thick
set E1llda In her smart sport
clothes, ana tall, slender Joan IN
her shiny blue serge, made out
OF an old coat Of Aunt Babes,
but they loved each other. Thay
always had, in spite Of Aunt
EWES expressed objections, and
Mrs. Sedgwicl's amusement OF
the poverty-stricken, and. fiercely
snobbish Van Fleets.
And now their lifelong friend
ship was breaking.
Only Aunt Evvie wants me
home right after school"
I'm getting sick OF excuses,
Joan. You're always running
away from us. Anne says you
are, and Dorothy. too. Gee,
never would have believed g
you Hilda winked back q dig
tear. and blew her NOSE auarAy.
'Hilda-can't you see-it's be-
cause Aunt Evvie-"
''Of course, II you care more
for her than you do about me,
all right Johnnie Hastings. I'm
through. I've always stuck up
for you. against the whole crowd,
but
And then, somehow or other.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

ROY l.. FOLEY

before his advancing 1roWn1ng
wife. until he leaned against a
picture. 1t crashed to the floor,
the glass breaking into a hun
dred pieces.
Monty Deane's eyes opened and
closed. then opened again. Nancy
turned. her own eyes meeting
his gray ones. He moved his
hand to the edge of the bed,
holding 1t there. as though he
wanted her to take it.
She gave a little cry and fell to
her knees. She put ner own
warm hand into his and his slim
fingers closed over hers. rhen
he closed his eyes. She knelt
there, 1t seemed for ages, with
Mud and Dairy standing silently
behind her. -,
Come, child. Come, he's
sleeping" Mrs. o'Day whispered
finally. She stopped over to lift
the girl from her knees. IT'S
sleep he's needin' more than
ANYTHING. Let's BECOME"
The long fingers had relaxed
now and Nancy withdrew her
hand without making a stir. The
three of them left. At the door
Nancy turned to look at the
sleeping man. She shiversd, the
room was so still. So mysterious.
so terrible!
Down in the kitchen, Muddy's
Kitchen that was her kingdom,
Nancy heard the story OF her
fathers return. Dairy, in his
meanderings about the depot had
come upon him huddled up on g
bench in the waiting room and
warned him.
YOU'D better not be settin'
here or the station agent will be
after you. Is it hungry We are?''
At least that's how Dairy re.
peated il to Nancy and Mrs.
O'Day. For once Dairy was the
center OF interest. He was the
actor in this particular drama
and though Mrs. O'Day noumbleG
a good deaf during his story, she
did not interrupt hiEa,
Continued Ton0rroW.)
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

HiIda was running down the
dusty road to catch up with
Dorothy Nailor, and they had dis
appeared, arm in arm round the
bend that led up to the Point
above the Bay. Joan was alone.
All alone now. Because of Aunt
Evvie. Because she went to visit
dancing class one single, soli-
tary afternoon, and Aunt Evvie
had found out
Joan's mouth set in hard,
tight line. 1.-The square of the
Elypotenuse--" Shed study hard,
and graduate in winter instead
OF June. Get through six months
earlier. Then she could earn her
own living, and get away from
Aunt Evvie and Aunt Babe, and
the hateful house.
Aunt Babe was almost worse
than Evvie now. Ever since Evyie
told that story about Joan's
father who was once Babes sweet
heart. Aunt Babe had been awful!
She wouldn't speak to Joan at
ALL Just sat and rocked, and
sniffled all the time. 1t was terri
BILE to watch her, all huddled UP
in her big pink shawl. with her
eyes all red, and her everlasting
handkerchief dabbing at her little
pinched blue nose.
Mrs. Heeley crept around with
her head tied up in a piece of
red flannel on account of her
neuralgia, always looking AT Joan
as il she expected her to go off
at any minute. like a lighted
firecracker; always muttering
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

iona, placing them carefully on
the table, hoped that Aunt Evvie
wouldn't notice. 1t was her work
TO clean the silver.
oh. dear! Aunt Babe and Aunt
Evvie were fighting again. Tbs.
sound OF their angry voices came
clearly across the hall from the
library, Aunt EWES bnss drown
ing out Babes thin treble.
80 / bought the automobile on
the spot.
ssYou wl1at?,' Aunt Babe shrilIed.
II said / bought the automobile.
You aren't deaf. are you, Babe?'
Evvie was shouting. Its a very
good automobile. I could tell as
soon as / heard the engine"
"But an automobile autonlo-
bile what do you want with an
what do / want an automobile
for?.' Aunt Evvie was trying TO
mimic Babe. Ito go in the real
estate business with. That's what
for. Somebody has to do some.
thing around here. You don't do
anything. I'm going to get some
land farther up, and subdivide.
All kinds OF money In II. Babe. In
firea months I'll be able to pay
bacIx--s
you've gone and taken out an
other mortgage, Evvie. Oh. Evvie.
how could you? On our own home
that Papa left us-OIl. Evvie-weII
lose i'll know We WILL" Babe
was weeping outright now.
That's AL you know. tell you
there's big money
Joan didn't wait to hear any
more. Aunt Evvie had been rails
Ing money on the property and
pretty soon It would be all gone.
Then there would be another fight.
Anyway, don't see how we can
get much poorer" she thought,
and went into the kitchen for the
bread and butter.
When she came back to finish
setting the table Aunt, Evvie's
voice was still rumbling along ike
a steam roller. drowning out
Babes fearful objections.
$50 the boy from Gerwin's
garage is going to come every
Wednesday to clean and oil It,
while we're at the Sewing Circle
and won't need it. / could do it
myself" Evvie was saying, but
after all we have a position to
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18
Joan, irresponsible Flapper, and Her
Amours Form Plot Of This
Thrilling Novel

keen up, especially with me 9oing
into business.
There was d noise outside. The
ssound N an auto horn. Aunt Ev.'
vie was at the front door in cOu-
pie of long manly strides.
Drive 1t around here, boy. TO
the stableg' she shouted.
Joan pushed the red velour cur
tains aside.
A newly painted touring car, Of
impressive make, and ancient VIM
tage. And at the wheel, bars
headed and grinning, his freckled
face streaked with dirt, was Bill
Martin, who used to play footnaH
at school.
Joafl's curiosity was getting the
basf Of her. To think of Aunt
Evvie owning an automobile. ana
Bill Martin-BiH Martin-brtn6in8
1t home.
she had never spoken to Bill 10
was considered rather tough be-
cause he lived down In the hollow,
and worked on the docks In san
Francisco in vacation time. No
body knew him very we'll
What in the world was Aunt
Evvie crawling under the car tor!
Joan raised the window to get .
better look.
The window sQueaked ~ sns
raised it. The boy who had
worked on. the docks and was go
ing to wash the car on Wednes
days looked up. r. w Joan, ssI-
houetted against the red curtains.
a golden, shining thing, drenche4
in the glory of the sunset. He
hadn't had much time for girls.
rhe high school ones were giggitHg
children-the older ones, like Katie
in the Waffle Kitchen and Dolores.
Gerwin's plump wife-weA, h
hadn't any time for them either.
But this one-this one
He had forgotten that he had
ever seen her before. Forgotten
the big woman inspecting the en-.
CINE. Forgotten that the flaming
glory that essSsloped the girl was
the gift of the sunset.
Joan drew back, her heart beat
ing wildly. She had forgotten the
elderly woman and the car, too.
She only saw boy looking M 81
her from the rose garden.
Continued Tomorrow
1copyrfsht. 1898. by King FSatures
Syndicate, Inc
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

blame her for getting drowned IN.
stead OF coming home to this
place when she found out father
was dead. guess she'd have
taken me with her II she had
known what II would be like for
me. But she didn't know. poor
little thing
Joan's large, gray-green eyes,
with the thick, tawny lashes that
were like Veronica's, grew tender,
as they. always did when she
thought Of her. Poor little Head
mother! And her heart melted
again, with love for Veronica.
It was down there i'm the rose
garden under the window that
Veronica and Peter had met. Joan
could see them. just as they must
have looked. Veronica In a white
ruffIed organdie, all biIlowfng
skirts and blue sash, with =
floppy hat shading her .ny-a-way
hair. Peter, tall, dark-eyed Peter
by her side. How they must have
loved each other! Oh. what q
wonderful thing it would be to
have someone to love-to be loved,
as veronica was II WOulutI MdI'
ter what happened after that. 1t
wouldn't matter II you died then.
like Veronica and Peter
Miss Joan! Miss Joan"
HeeIey's harsh voice cut into her
thoughts like q knife.
"Yes?" Joan scrambled to her
feet and opened the door to the
hall. What do you want, Mrs.
Heeley?"
''I want you to come set the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18
Our DANCING DAUGHTERS g WN p5zfR

at their cold rage. you've done
all you could do to break her
spirit. And now she is my wife,
and you will regard her as such,
with the consideration one hu.
man being owes another"
Freddie muttered, IF air
enough" and slinked out of
sight. And Beatrice all at once
lost the stoop to her shoulders.
the droop to her lips. 1t was
the happiest hour she ever had
known when Norman took her
to a new little stucco house set
In an immense stretch of land
scaped ground up the hill and
across the northern end OF town
weeks afterward she hardly dared
breathe lest she awake and find
all that had happened a dream.
Benny Black also had moments
when he seemed to be living in
a dream-only he feared the
dream would dissipate and be-
come reality. as, of course, it al.
ways did. Ann was proving an
engaging little fiance, lovely and
winsome, always considerable of
him. and his interests. Nearly
every evening he called at the
hotel, sent her flowers, candy.
bits of jewelry. But he was abb
stracted; even in the office his
mind wandered and he would
find himself drawing little winged
slippers, over and over.
The conviction formed in his
mind that this should not go on.
At least the marriage must be
postponed, put off till they were
a little better acquainted, more
sure of themselves.
But he could not bring himself
to suggest this. AIMS helpless.
ness, her bubbling. childish hap.
piness-these held him. She
needed him so! Bit by bit, witt,
a hint here, a look there. she
had contrived to make him be-
Heve. Hanna was unlxind to her.
not all a mother should be.
He could not desert Ann. And
slowly he settled to acquiesce.
feeling a deep pride in AIMS
beauty, developing loyal affec.
ton for her.
And Dianna pursued a feverish
round of gayety these days,
growing, rather thin, rather white
faced, smoking too much, drink
ing more of Daddy's cocktails
than had been her won't. Only
late at night, after returning
from some mad party, did she
admit to herself that she was
tired; weary OF a living so com.
pick.
Then she would slip q creased
and fingeP.worn envelope from
corner of the little desk in the
room of mirrors, study the sketch
across the back. Dancing feet
lifting on Mercury wings.
oh. my dear" she would whts-
per then. oh. my dear"
Continued TosnorroWl
Copyright 1874 By King FSatcSee
9ynaleatOI IAA)
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

possibly, Ann and her mother.
They were friendly for the first
time in their life together, mu.
tualIy admiring, though the girl
was beginning to put on small
airs. When 1 am Mrs. Black"
was the burden of all her re.
marks, and many change was to
be brought about, many a wish to
be realized when that time came.
And it was to be soon; Ann and
Hanna agreed on this a month
at the longest.
Fionna mad an interview with
the hotel manager and, as a re.
suit, the Evarts moved into the
suite whose sitting room had re.
ceived Benny Black on his first
visits. The manager was de-
lighted to make this arrange.
ment-and he understood perfectly
why the bill would be settled
later
A like interview with the man.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

Vic swung around. Ginger
dropped her magazine again. She
kept still, perfectly still, sensing
that something was going to hap
pen. She could see the blood
mounting in Vic's face. She had
seen him angry before.
You'll scream, will your" Vic
answered.
He began walking across the
room toward Nancy. He reached
out his hand to grasp her by the
arm but Ginger was there first.
She jumped in between the two.
You keep your hands off,"
Ginger said, cant you see she's
all wrought up? She's on the
verge OF Mysteries. What's the
matter with you anyway? Don't
you know women ain't like men
and there's a limit to what they
can stand?
The Kid simply don't want to
90 out with you tonight. She's
going home. That's straight.
Something's happened to her.
She's in some trouble. I can tell
it. I'll help her out of 1t and l
know you would, too. Vic Flenn-
ing, II shed only tell us what it
is. But she amt ready yet.
Understand, Vic? She amt ready
yet"
Vic's anger began to melt be.
fore the blazing eyes, the flow Of
her words.
Maybe you're right" he said,
he picked up his hat. I'm
sorry
He put on his hat and walked
to the door then turned suddenly,
and came back to where Nancy
was standing, pale, and an still
as though she was carved out of
marble.
He put his arms around her
and touched his lips TO her hair.
CHAPTER 80.
II Nancy's own little room. With
tts dotted Swiss curtains, 10 her
| ow1 hard bed shs saw, Tor the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

ager of the towns exclusive little
speciality shop made it possible to
purchase lingeringly, with many
naughty demands for what was
most expensive, AIMS trousseau
on credit.
And Hanna CURLY resigned her
post at the settlement house.
leaving Mrs. Sheldon first be-
unused, then furious. THE design
ing, creaturer' snorted that good
lady. ITO think l let her pull the
wool over my eyes-my eyes" re-
peated Mrs. Sheldon with a
baFeful glare Of those organs.
But the Sheidons had some
thing more important than the
marriage of that chit" as now
they described Ann to think
about. There was the shocking
conduct of their own daugh.
ter. ."
That's enough" Norman flung
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

above confusion, set him right
with himself. The level gray eyes
how honest they were! A fear
less. wholesome personality.
Benny caught himself up in
amazement Only few hours
ago he had not believed this: he
had seen Diana as willful soul
seeking thrills at any price. What
had changed him? Or had he
changed?
Depression weighed him; now
he would have liked to put his
face down on her strudy young
shoulder, to feel her hands on his
head in the motherly little caress
she had given him as she SAID
good-by in the afternoon.
Too late for this: fate had given
him sealed orders. Well-carry
on carry on.
The week after the party re-
turned to Manor Park was
strain for everybody excepting,
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

Diana's amazennent, accumulated
perhaps by certain quick gIanceg,
lfalf-concea1ed smiles of the others,
had planted a seed of doubt in his
mind and the doubt centered about
Ann.
It was so vague that he could
not grasp the reason for it and
his thought kept scurrying in
dim ny. hdeIment. Throughout
his relationship with Ann this
doubt was to be like malignant
growth. forgotten at times. passed
over and ignored but, in the end,
claiming the power to destroy.
Once In his roaming he stood
beside the bungalow, aware that
almost he might reach out and
touch Diana on the other side of
the window screen. He wishes to
speak to her-ask her to solve the
mystery of this thing which had
drawn about him. He felt some
way she could do this, lift him
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18
CHAPTER Xxx


Nothing to be said between the
two friends, Diana and Beatrice,
beyond the first singing outburst
from the dark girl, ooh, Dr.
A toss of the curly black head,
Q shrug of the slim shoulders.
Dab cold cream on a sunburned
nose, wipe it away; pick Up a
comb, put that down again.
MISUNDERSTANDING
A deadly stiffness all about.
Benny Black had held her in his
arms, kissed her again and again
and she had thought 1t love!
She had invited his arms, sent out
her whole heart to him. And all
the while he had been a weak
thing, ready to be twined round
the ciutching finger of a girl like
Ann!
Diana felt soiled, abjectly hui
inflated and ashamed. But this
was not the worst; it was the
ache Of loss, the terrible, thfob.
bing emptiness which, since time
began, has laid waste the hearts
of women with love gone from
their lives.
Beatrice sat upon the bed, wide.
eyed with sympathy when a tap
sounded at the door and AIMS
voice asked coyly II she might
come in. No answer. but she
came anyway, smiling and trium-
plant, still with Benny's robe
about her shoulders. She walked
over to the dressing table and
stood beside Diana and her little
hands gathered up the sleeves Of
the robe and crossed them over
her fiat breast quite as If the
boys arms were in them. With
caressing. pats she fondled the
monogram on the pocket. smil'
ing softly, wistfully, as il with
sweet memories.
isn't it too wonderful" she
breathed. II just had to share
this happiness. dearest Diana. He
adores me So"
Blazing with indignation, Bea-
trice grunted "Humph!' and
Diana rose abruptly, knocking
over a bottle OF perfume. Her
rage was controlled quickly, how
ever. 1dWHi1k, size oEdWAeu. VIGIL
time for sleep" and jumped into
one Of the beds, where she lay an
If very drowsy, her eyes closed.
1T is late" cooed Ann. going
slowly toward the door. She hest
tated there. stroking the mono
gram. at the very point OF con
fidences 1t seemed. But she ap
peared to change her mt d and
with a last gathering OF tho
sleeves about herself waved a
blithe goodnight as Diana's hand
went up to the light, plungine
the room into darkness.
Lying there in a dazed misery
the girl did not know that Benny
spent the hours tramping about
the grounds, seeing her face
shocked and disdainful. AZ II haC
been in the instant after Hanna
kissed him. That look had takeE
something from him that he nevei
would regain; something Of self
respect, some high point OF youth
And 1t had done more, though
he was not 70 YeaItze this for (
very long ttans. Some quality y
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18

"The square of the hypotenuse
tho square"
The printed page blurred. IT'S
10 hard to put your mind on
geometry WHINE you've just losI
Your best friend. Hilda SeuS-
wick was mad at her--mad clear
through.
why can't you walk up to the
point with me?" Hilda demanded
hotly as they were coming from
school.
Aunt Evvie-"
''Oh. / know. you can't eveI
do anything that's any fun, but
eood night, Johnnie. don't you
have to get botany specimens tho
same as / do at school, and won't
she have to Let you do that"
Yes, but"
We'll. why cant we do it to-
Rether?''
81 have mine already. l
rot them early-before school
this morning"
Johnnie Hastings! And you
never said a word to me! You
passed right square by my house
toor'
ut was awfully early"
"Oh, all right--if you doE't
want to go with me it's all right.
You seem to have changed all OF
q sudden though"
''HiIda--I haven't. / do want
20 go---only--"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18
What Do You KnOw?
ANSWERS TO TODAY'S TEST
Questions on Editorial Page

Questions Editorial Page
l. Spain g. Hip 3. Fearless. 4 Golden Sliding law
Jugoslava 7. John Greeneaf Whittier collector Of
postage stamps An 10 San IL Surrender Of
CORVALLIS Washington Yorktown Tohr
15. Opened. L. Policy IL Earth
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18
This Ddv in Our History

General George appointed to the defense OF
wah;nron c. ON September 1852 where he was hailed
AS chefan ard preerver here that ne created the
of the Potomac.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-18
WIN jumping Beons Are 50 Named

"Iur,pinv Beans" the curoses Of Mexico The
caused spasodic movements OF the pupe g
an insect contained each beam which causes tHe Dean y
and shout.