Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-01
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little world I'm INDEPENDENTLY
an office. the business Of which Is
largely confidential.
Mr.. Van had always endeavored
10 foster a spirit OF { for all and
all for one In his office force. And
before Chatty came. with her dew
astative tongue. the office girls. and
many OF the men who had been
there for some time, were just a
happy family.
MI. Van believed that better work
was done when every rne was
friendly with everyone else. Now,
Billie saw that cliques and jealou-
sizes weer taking the place Of the
old spirit Of good comradeship.
She saw girl set against GIL. and
even man against man.
And whenever she traced 1t down
II always ended in "Chatty said that
so-and-so said such-and-such."
The tales Chatty carried were
harmless enough in themselves. But
Chatty's em~broideries and embell-
ishmentS were not harmless.
If Winnie told her she Had been
on a party and returned home at
midnight. Chatty had her getting In
at three in the morning.
n Chatty saw Lola, one Of the
stenographers, on the street with
a man Chatty didn't know. the Of
flee heard that Lola has a secret
boy friend she's ashamed Of"
If Chatty listened in on the phone
and heard any girl make a date
with any male voice, the office
knew II within an hour. And the
dates" took on a sinister character
in Chatty'S retailing OF them.
What Billie don't know was that
Chatty was just letting off extra
steaml Chatty was making q real
effort to &c through" with Bry-
ant. 1t was increasingly hard. II
was harder, Chatty thought. than
to have broken IF with him when
she vas crazy about him.
She didn't miss his kisses because
she cared for him: she missed them
because the Kisses, themselves, had
grown so pleasant.
AS she denied herself the mid
night expeditions the drinking and
the "twosing" IN Bryant's car. she
had to have excitement to replace
these diversions.
She found IL a increase chat
ter, in talking about her mates in
the office. in making up good stor-
ies to add to the meager informa-
ton she had.
For the girls gradually became
wise to her, and told her as little
as possible.
Even Winnie became watchful. In
the dressing room one day she told
some Of her feeling to Billie.
Whats the matter With Chat?n
she asked. Il haven't been able
to get her to fling her foot or wet
her whistle for a coupla weeks. And
she talks like a phonograph WITH
the hurryups. She better Law or
me- been too good to that kid
70 be laid out. II she plasters n
Of her les on me, che better watch
her stepl"
"Oh, Winnie. / think she's s:-t-
Just worried 1bout mat. ers m
homel" Billie tried to think ~
some good defense for Chatty. BII-
lie was like that. always irving ~
help people.
Her mother isn't we'll" she went
on And her brothe--"
"Humphl I know ali about uttIe
nrother!" sneered Winnie. .Cnat
thinks its a deep. dark secret
But, dear. Chatty does worrv
And she loves her mother. And she
doesn't mean any harm"
said the lawyer for the ~ -ar~.
q the fool who rocked the boafIs
Winnie finished the sentence for
her. 80
Billie's face ell.
Look here. yoG-y-- nice thinvr~
cried Winnie. remorsefuliT. af.n
not razzing you or your friend
Chats my friend, too. But she
can't tel tales on me and get awsv
with t. I'm telling you. Ten her
II you like. 7 like peace like a horse