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THE ALLIANCE HERALD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1921
jmiUSTMAS EDITION
WHITE G00D3
x (Continued from preceding page)
CH home. Tmtrie lead you upstairs.1
Tbejr turned In and up and through
1 toRZf length of long hallway. At
tbe last and third landing an empty
ttml-scuttle stood Jtint outside a door
S If turning fur entrance.
"Watch out, Iee Dee, the scuttle.
(Lemme go In first. Geet It'a cold In
. floors and warm out, ain't It T Walt
Oil I light np. There I"
"limine alone. Iunn tee."
Too, with your feet on your library
fender, stupefied with contentment and
your soles arorclilng, your heart In not
black; It la only fut. How can It know
the lean formality of the furnished
toon? Chatubenualda know It when
they knock thrice and only the faint
And nauseous fumes of escaping Kits
nswer them through the plugged key
bole. Coroners know It.
Sadie Rarnet and Edith Worte knew
It, too, and put out a hand here and
there to alluy It. A comfurtlng spread
of gsy chlnts covered the sag In their
UrMte Iron bed ; a photograph or tw
tuck upright between the dreamer mir
ror and Its frame, and tacked full flare
gainst the. wall was a Japanese fan,
autographed many times over with the
(my personnel of the Titanic store's an
eual picnic.
Ulss Worte dropped her dork cape
from he shoulders, hung It with her
hat on a door peg and sat heavily on
the edge of the bed.'
"God I my feet."
"Soak 'era."
Hiss Daniet peeled off her shirt
mtlst. Her bosom, strong and fiat as a
bey's, "rose white from her cheaply
dainty under-bodlce ; at her shoulders
the flesh began to deepen, and her
inns were round and full of curves.
"Here, Dee Dee. I'm so nervous
when I hurry.. You sew In this ruche;
you got time before the supper-bell.
See, right along the edge like that."
Hiss Worte aimed for the eye of the
needle, moistening the end of the
thread with her tongue and her flut
tering Angers close to her eyes.-
Ml 1 , V . .... A . A ...A
viou j i i jufi tun i E"i ejea no
more. I can't see, Sadie; I can't find
the needle."
Sadie Unmet paused In the act of
brushing out the cloud of her durk
balr, and with a strong young gesture
tun the thread through the needle,
knotting Its end with a quirk of thumb
and forefinger.
"It's the drops, Dee Dee, and this
gss light, all blurry from the curling
Iron in the flume, makes you see hnd."
Miss Worte nodded and closed her
yes as If he would press back thf
tears and let them drip Inwurd.
"Yes, I know. 1 know."
"Sure! Here, letnine do It, Dee Dee.
I wou't May out lute, dearie, If youi
yes aie bud. We're only going out foi
t little spin."
XHhs Worte lay buck on the cltlr.-.
bedspread and turned her face to tin
wall.
"I should worry if you come home or
ilf you don't all the comfort you are
(to me r
"You sny that to mo many more
(times and you wutch and see what I do ;
tfon watch and see."
"The sooner the better."
i In the act of fluting the soft ruche
ifcbout her neck, so that her fresh little
face rose like a bud from Its cnlyx.
Hiss Pa met turned to the full length
ef back which fuced her from the
bed.
"That's the way I feel about it
the sooner tbe better."
j "Then we think alike."
"You ain't been such a holy saint to
,tne that I got to pluy up to you for it
11 tny ll.'e. You only rulsed me be
cause you hud to. I been working for
taj own living' ever since I was so lit
tle I had to lie to the inspectors about
my age."
"That's the thanks I get; that's
the"
"Aw, I know all that line of talk by
heart, so you don't need to rum It
down me. You gotta quit inslnuuting
bout my ways to me. I'm as Btrulght
a you are and "
"You you tuke bff that ivory-bund
breast-pin; Uiut ain't jours."
"Sure I'll take it off, and thhj ruche
you gimme the money to buy, and this
red bracelets you glniuie and every
Id thing you ever gimme. Sure I'll
take 'em all cff. I wish I could take
off these gVny-top shoes you puld a
dollar towurd, and 1 would, too, If I
didn't huve to go hurefoot. It's the lust
time I borrow from "
"Aw, you commenced that line of
talk when you was ten."
"I mean It"
"Well, if you do, take off them gloves
that I bought for myself and you
begged right off my hands. Just take
em off and go barehanded with your
little-heuded friend; maybe he cun
buy"
"You Oh, I; wish I was dead 1
I I'll go barehanded to a snowball
feast rather than weur your duds.
There's your old gloves there 5"
Teurs were streaming and leaving
their ravages ou the smooth surface of
ber cheeks.
"I Just wish I I was dead."
"Aw, no, you don't I There's him
Bow, with a horu on his auto that
makes a noise like the devil yelling 1
There's your little rat-eyed, low-lived
fellow, now. You don't wUu you wus
dead now, do your Go to him and his 1
two divorces and his little round hend. I
That's where you belong ; thut's w here
girls cm the road to the devil belong J
with them kind. There he Is now, w sit
ing to ride you to the devil. He don't '
ueea to honk-honk so loud; he knows
you're ready and waiting for him."
Miss Uaruet fastened on her little
bat with fingers that fumbled.
"Gimme the key." . . , .
i., nigiit key Business use last time.
I knew you was lying to me about the
clock."
"You Jlmme that key. I don't want
you to have to get up, with all your
kicking, to open the door for me. You
gimme the key." ,
"If you wanna get In this room
when you come home tonight, you i
knock like any self-respecting girl I
ain't nfrald to do."
"You oh you I" With a shivering
Intake of breath Miss Unmet flung
wide the door, slamming it after her
until the windows and the blue-glass
vase on the mantelpiece and Miss
Worte, stretched full length on the
bed, shivered.
Two flights down she flung open the
front door. There came from the curb
the bleat of a siren, wild for speed.
She stood for a moment In the em
brasure of the door, scenting.
"Do I need my heavy cout, Jerry T"
The dim figure In the tonneau, with
his arms flung out their length across
the buck of the seat, moved from the
center to the side. '
"No, you don't. Hurry up. I'll keep
yon warm if you need a coat Climb
in here right next to tne, Peachy. Now
didn't I say I was going to keep you
warm? Quit your squirming, Touchy.
I won't bite. Heady, George. Up to
the I'allsade Inn, and let out some
miles there."
"Gee I Jerry, you got the limousine
top off. Ain't this swell for summer?"
CHAPTER III.
Mr. Jerome Beck settled back In the
roemy embrasure of the seat and ex
haled loudly, his shoulder and shoe
touching hers. ''
She settled herself out of their
range. t
"Now, now, snuggle up a little,
Peachy."
She shifted to her first position.
"Well, l'eachy, how are you? Peachy
Is Just the nnine for you, eh? 'Cause
I'd like to take a bite right out of
you eh, l'eachy? How are you?"
"Fine and and dundy."
"Look at me."
"Aw!"
"Look at me, I say, you pretty little
Peach with them devilish black eyes
of yours and them lips Hint's got cher
ry on 'em, Little devil 1" z
"Quit calling me that." But she col
ored as If his tribute had been a sheuth
of lilies.
They veered a corner sharply, skid
ding on the wet usphalt and all but
grazing the rear wheels of a recreant
taxlcab.
"Hut, suh, I"
"None of your black back-tnlk."
"Jerry 1" SShe was shivering, and a
veil of tears formed over her hot. mor
tified eyes. "Gee I What are you made
of? Y-a seen he couldn't help It when
thnt taxi turned Into lis so sudden."
He relaxed against her. "Aw, did I
tcare the little Peachy? Thut's tbe
wsy they gottn be handled. I ain't
ready by a long Rhot to let a black
devil spill niy brains."
"Shh h. He couldn't"
"Sure he could. If he watched, ne's
a bargain I picked up cheap, anyways,
cause he's lume and can't hold down
heavy work. And bargains don't al
ways pay. Put I'll break his black
back for him If Aw, now, now, did
I scare the little Poach? Gee I I
couldn't do nothing but kill you with
kindness If you wns driving for me.
Pd Just let you run me right off this
road into the Hudson ocean If you
was driving for me."
She smiled, but as If her Hps were
bruised.
"It ain't none of my put-in. but he
couldn't help it, and I hate for you to
yell at anybody like that, Jerry."
"Aw, aw, did I scare the little
Peachy? Watch me show the little
Tootsle how nice I can be when I want
to. Aw aw I"
"Quit."
She blinked back the ever-recurring
tears.
"All tired, out, too; all tired out.
vvalt till you see what Ira going to
buy you tonight. A great big beef
steak with mushrooms as big as dollar
and plplng-hot German fried potatoes
and onions. M-m-in-ml And more
bubbles than you can wink your eye
at Aw aw, such poor cold little
hands, and no gloves to warm 'era
Wouldn t I Just love to wrap a little
Peachy like you up in a big, fur coot
and put tl em little cold tands in a
great big muff and hang some great
big headlight earrings In them little
bltsle ears. Wouldn't I, though.
M-m-m-m. Poor little hands I"
Her wraith of a smile dissolved in a
spurt of hot tears which flowed over
her words.
"Gee I Ain't I the nut to to cry?
I I'll be all right in a minute."
"What's hurting you, Tootsle? Been
bounced? You should worry. I'm
going to steal you out of that cellar,
anyways. Been bounced?" .
"N-no."
"The old hog ain't been making It
hot for you, has she?"
"Sh-she "
"God I That old hag gets my fur
up. I had a mother-in-law once tried
them tricks on me till I learned her
they wouldn't . work. But the old hag
of yourn "
"Jt's her eyes ; the doctor must have
scared her up again today. When she
gets scared like that about 'em she
acts up so, honest, sometimes I I Just
wish I was dead. She don't think a
girl oughtta have no life."
"Forget H. Just you wait She's
going to wake up some morning soon
and find a little surprise party for her
self. I know Just how to handle an
old bird like her. We're going to give
her a little surprise party." Beneath
the lap robe his hnnd slid .toward hers.
She could feel the movement of the
arm that directed it and her own
shrank awny.
"But oln't I the limit, Jerry airing
my troubles to you, like you was a
pollcenn-.n."
"Now, now "
"Quit I J-oggo my hand."
He leaned forward suddenly, en
veloping her.
"I got It. Why don't you lemme kid
nap you, klddo?"
"What" ' '
"Lemme kidnap you tonight and
give the old hag the surprise of her
life when she wakes up and finds you
stolen. I'm some little kidnaper when
It comes to kidnaping. I nm, klddo.
Say, wouldn't I like to take you riding
all wrapped up In a fur coat with noth
ing but your cute little face sticking
out."
"Aw, you're Just fooling me."
"Fooling I Lemme prove It, tonight.
Leniiiie kidnap you this very night.
I"
"Is Is thnt what you mean by by
kidnaping me?" I
"Sure. There ain't nothing I'd rath
er doc Are you on, Pcuthes? A sen
sible little queen like you knows which
tilde her bread Is buttered on. There
uln't nothing I want more than to see
you all bundled up in u fur cout with
headlights lu your little blttsle pink
ears."
"You What kind of a girl do ou
think I am? Tuke me home take me
What kind of a girl do you think
am?"
He leaned toward her with a quick
readjustment of tone.
"Just what I said, Peachy. What I
meant was I'd marry you tonight If we
(Continued on Next Page)
a sw affair a
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lit Takes Music !
TO MAKE A
.Merry
Xmas
From the earliest times the gladsome
Christmas spirit has sought expression in
music. And today as of yore, it takes music
to provide an outlet for our merry feelings.
A PLAYER PIANO OR PHONOGRAPH
makes a splendid gift for the hom.e
We still have a nice selection of Victor
records and player rolls.
CHILDREN'S BOOKS AND GIFT BOOKS I
Mann Music & Art Co. !
Gold Weather
Is COAL WE A THER
It's time when you want to make every shovelful give the most
in heat for the home. There's a difference in coal, and it s most ap
parent when the colder days come. Use care in selecting the coal
you use: Tell us just what use you have for fuel and we will ad
vise you how to get the most value from it.
Good Grades It Stock
READY FOR INSTANT DELIVERY
OWL CREEK COAL
Egg and Lump
COLORADO COAL
Lump and Nut
CHRISTMAS GREETING
Not only because it is an honored custom, but because of the sin
cerity of our appreciation, we take this opportunity to thank our pat
rons and friends for the part they have played in our busines pros
perity during the past twelve months, and we wish you a good old
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
N
Dierks Lumber & Coal Company
F. W. HARGARTEN, Manager
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OuifStore Will Be Closed
All Day Monday
May we have j'our order for your Christ
mas neeas in things to eat at your earliest
convenience
We suggest that you order your Christmas
Turkey early.
They will be very scarce.
2
Set
ft
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rff Christmas Tree stock is running low. Do not delay buying beyond a
&' Wednesday. 3&
Holly, Holly Wreaths, Mistletoe, Candles, Tree Decorations. . (s
if.
Black Walnuts, lb 8c
Fancy Mixed Nuts
Pecans, Almonds, Brazils, Eng
lish Walnuts, Filberts, Peanuts
Woodward's Fancy
Christmas Candies
Imported Figs
Stuffed Dates
Sugared Dates
Ferndell Hollowed Dates
Booth's Oysters, Fish, Shrimp
Ducks, Springs, Hens, Geese,
Turkeys
Try Our Homemade Pure Pork
Sausage for Christmas
Breakfast
Try a Ferndell'Fruit Salad and
Save Time and Expense
2fe
Ferndell Imported Roquef ort Cheese
All Fruits and Fresh Vegetables in Season for Christmas
We thank you for your patronage during the past year and wish
you all a Merry Christmas.
MALLERY
GROCERY
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QUALITY GROCERS
aw, no, you dou t. When you comt
fcojneoulght you k oocknu more tip-
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