Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-01-09

Swinging Doors
Were Tragedies
By HELEN ST. BERNARD
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS sxnnnnnn
(Copyright.)

NSSNSA-o~N~-'
TT WAS on Eighth avenue. small
L place, between a fur wholesaler
and an orange juice stand. The win
dow was over-crowded with jewelry'
particularly diamond rings The size
of the price cards dwarfed the objects
themselves And the doors were swing
ing doors. Hogan's saloon on the cor
per was where she had always looked
for her father on pay nights
AS she had done in the old days
Lille stepped back toward the curb
nonchalantly, to look at the feet In
side. She had always looked before
she went into make sure her IA
Their was there. Unpleasantness had
always awaited her behind those
doors She did not like swinging doors
They were one of the tragedies of
tragic childhood.
There were but two pairs of shoes
to be seen beneath those doors; tiny
pair of patent kid with long narrow
heels and brown shabby shoes-men's
shoes.
The patent kids were both on the
floor now. The doors were swinging
open. A girl, slender and blonde, her
face half-buried In the fluffiness of her
red fox fur, was coming out. She
looked about anxlously . . was lost
in the crowd. r..
Lille walked to the window and
scanned the rows and rows of dia-
mond rings. Not one as brilliant as
the sparkler in her leather bag She
and Eddie always called 1t the
sparkler." She had had 1t five months.
"Would | have bought yuh spark
Ter like that If | didn't love yuhT
Eddie had always reasoned. LOOK at
the size of It Look at 1t shine? And
If you're thinkin l got It crooked,
you're all wet. paid cash for it
spot cash"
Across the street was the employ
ment agency that had sent Lille to
Mrs Hetherington the year before.
The same sign was over the door
domestic Help Wanted"
She had told Eddie several times
In the last five months that she was
going back there and get another job
that II wasn't right to live so,
but he had always said he loved her.
Sure. would he have paid cash for a
diamond ring If he didn't? Wasn't that
enough evidence?
She felt for the hard lump in the
corner of her bag. With her back to
the passing crowd. she drew 1t forth,
carefully unwrapped 1t from the folds
of tissue paper, held it in her palm,
the white stone flashing in the sun
light The one thing she had always
wanted; the one lovely thing in her
life. She seldom wore it, but 1t was
always hidden somewhere near where
she could look at it.
And now Eddie was in jam. He
needed money bad. He had told her
that morning, his face white and
drawn, his black hair not so slick as
usual that he had to clear out as
soon as he could get the jake
hut ned come back for her. The
question was-where was the jake
coming from? He had tossed off her
arms impatlently when she had at
tempted to console him, and a few
moments later had growled In an
swer to her eager assurance Of assist.
ance:
Are yuh crazy? How yuh goin'
to get money? I've got to get out
quick. see? Well. then make 1t snap
py! If you're later n ten, It's too
late. see? Beat It, dye hear? And
he back here at nine forty-fve see?"
Eddie had not mentioned the spark.
Ter! Her heart was warm at the
thought of it. He knew what II meant
10 her She had pulled the shabby lit
tie felt hat close over her eyes, kissed
him lightly. and had turned her steps
towards Eighth avenue.
The doors were swinging again. The
man was coming out. his unshaven
face ugly; multering under his
breath. Lille slipped through, crush.
ing the tissue paper about the ring
In her hand; her heart beating wildly
at the thought OF the unpleasant
things that had always awaited her
behind swinging doors.
The proprietor. beetle browed,
swarthy. his chin resting In three
layers over soiled collar, leaned
over the counter.
"Yeah?" he invited.
"IIOw much?" she faltered, al
most whispering AS much as YOU