Detroit tribune. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1933, 1933-11-25
"PINK LIGHTS"
BY ALMA BEAN LOVING

! Mrs. Terry. Irene's mother had
often scolded Trent for her discon-
certin frankness, for when Irene
was angry she usually spoke right
from the shoulder and had on
many occasions embarrassed her
family. For the past few months
the city had been much disturbed
because Of race discrimination
stores and restaurants har refused
to serve Negroes. Many fights had
resulted and several law suits were
now pending. To Irene's mnd tbs
was brazen effrontery, coming into
a Negro cafe knowing full well the
Negro was not allowed in the white
restaurants. Could a colored man
walk into a white place nd sit
down by woman and start a con
versation? She knew he could not.
She began to draw on her gloves
no use to finish her lunch she was
too angry.
Still don't understand. but
am willing TO move IL l am dis
turbing you" he sad gravely.
Irene tossed her head disdain-
fullq.
Don't bother, I'm leaving anyway
but ! cans see why you should
come into a Negro restaurant.
wouldn't be welcome In one OF
yours. You white people can be so
unsportsmanlike Who you want to
aud Pm one who doesent consider
IL an honor to sit beside-white
people,"
! AS Irene finished and started
away he arose quickly and laid his
hand on her arm, and in the
sweetest voice she ever heard said
Irene dear don't you know me?
I'm Keith Tcmpleton.
Had he. said he was the president
of the United States Irene coulda't
have been more dumfounGed. She
was speechless.
lie gently pushed her back into
the chair. Irene sat down like one
in dream. II couldn't b. yet as she
stared at him, his features became
more and more familiar all seemed
to adjust themselves In her mem
DRY. With nothing but a picture to
go by she had been easily fooled.
She had had no idea he was 50
fair. Why hadn't Frank told her, so
sho would be prepared? Her face
was rosy with confusion.
Keith laughed softly as he laid
snap shots Of Irene on the table.
then the little lock of her hair she
had sent him. even her last letter.
Have | proven my identity dear?
he asked tenderly.
But Keith" and Irene hcsitated
| didn't know you wer so so
light.
Keith took her hand.
Its news to me honey. This Is my
first experience at being white and
believe me l don't like It. When
what a little spitnre my dream CIR
, is, but l admire your pride. and h
: put his hands over hers.
The waitress entered wit
Keith's order and they Laughed
happily as they looked at Irene'i
cooling lunch.
Do you wish me to order again
for you as I'm the cause OF this
one being spoiled?
She shook her head.
Just tell me why you came on
without telling me. wasn't ex-
pecting you for a year. Didn't you
enter Freedmen's for your intern
ship? How did you find me?
keith's eyes caressed Irene's
lovely face as he answered.
III answer your last question
first. ] got here just one hour ago.
Went straight to hotel and called
your home Your mother answered
and gave me the telephone number
OF the lawyer you work for. | call
cl him and he told me you were at
the ClerndOn for lunch. / took a
cab and came here asked the pro-
prietor IL Miss Irene Terry was in
the dining room and he pointed you
out to me, but dear | knew YOU as
soon as ] saw you. You are sweet
err looking than thought. That's
why I'm here, Irene darling | had
to see you. At first was happy
over your dear letters but now
and his voice broke tenderly.
Irene's hart scared. This was
happiness. This was romance. The
music played more softly more
tenderly. while she sat there with
her hands In his. She felt n deli
cious thrill as he talked. How he
had fallen in love with her picture.
How he had treasured each little
word in her letters and how i'm
possible IL was TO enter upon his
internship until he had seen her.
He must have more than just her
picture to give him courage for the
long days ahead Did she care as
he did? He had come over two
hundred miles to find out to see
his dream girl. They sat there in
silence as the orchestra played
Kiss Me Again. then Keith sighed
as he pressed her hand.
Come dear. | saw a beautiful
little park on my way TO the cafe.
Let's go where everything Is
green and quiet as want to tell
you something and thse pink likhts
ara too artificial 10 unrenl