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About The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 1924)
^ STELLA DALLAS By Olive Higgins Prouty. •morns. After mtu run aeparattna Stella Hallaa la rep nested be her hnebund'a at torney to get a dlToee* en the ground or desertion. When aha rafuaea aha ta told the alteruaative will be aa action In which ahe will he charged with Immoral •'ondnet with Alfred Muan, aa old admirer, from whom aha received attention while liar daughter, laurel. II. was visiting her father. Stephen Oallae. In Sow York. Mho Indignantly denies wrongdoing and de clares ahe will fight. Stephen la deairoos of freedom so that ha may marry Helen Morrlaon, a widow, hut after throat by Stella, under adrleo of her attorney, to name Mrs. Morrison ■■ eoreapondent In n ronnterartlon ho tella the letter marriage is Impossible. (Continued from Teoterday.) "No. I d rather com# out.” They had arranged the trains. Helen had told her ehe would have her met. AA’hen finally the bell rang, and the maid announced Mrs. Pallas, H$len crossed the hall to the reception room with a sensation as near dread as she had ever felt In her Ufa when about tn meet a guest. Stella was standing up. She had on a dark blue tricolette suit, and wore n summer fur—white fox, fastened behind. The dead animal's head hung halfway down her back. Stella's coat was tightly buttoned, and fitted her generous bust and hips without a ripple. Her hat was large and broad brimmed, and didn't take a veil well. Therefore she had adjusted her veil over her bare head before putting her hat on. The veil was drawn tightly over her generous cheeks snd chin, and It also fitted without a ripple. n Helen looked at nothing but Stella a eyes, as she came toward her smil ing. with her hand outstretched. -■* "Good morning. Mrs. Dallas,” she said. ”1 hope the chauffeur found you.” "No, he didn’t. There was quite a crowd. I walked.” “Oh, Im sorry. It Is such a warm morning. Let me, send for some water.” She made a movement to ward the bell. “I don't want any water." Why, her head was snow white on one side! She couldn’t be a day under 40! "Well, do take off your coat and unfasten your fur." "No. thanks." "And sit down. Let us come Into the other room. It's pleasanter there.” Helen led the way across the hall, shoved a cool, linen-covered armchair In front of one of the terrace win dows. "I always like it here better on a warm morning, looking out on the shadows rather than on sunshine. And there's usually a braeae.” Opposite the armchair Helen placed one of the Sheratons herself. She made a little waving motion toward the armchair. "Sit down, please,” she said: "take that chair." Stella complied—at least partially. She took the extreme edge of the chair. It was one of those low deep affairs. She'd have a frightful time getting out of it if she sat back. Helen sat down, too. There was a pause—a pause that threatened to become awkward. "Is it very warm In town this morn ing?” Helen inquired. Stella Ignored the question. Might as well take the bull by the horns. "I suppose you think it's funny my coming here.” "No. I don't." earnestly Helen as sured her. leaning forward, clasping her hands upon her knees. "You and I have a great deal In common. 1 don't think it's funny at all.’ _ ^ “Well, funny or not, I had to * come. I thought of writing at first, hut gracious, if a thing is important enough to you, you'll do it the right way—at least, the way that seems right to you—whatever any one thinks. There are some tbliA I had to know that nobody but could tell me. so I decided to come right down here myself and ask them. "That was the right way." "I've heard a lot about you.” "And so have 1—heard a lot about you.” “From I-aurel. I mean. "Yes. I mean from Laurel, too.’ "1 suppose you know it, but laurel thinks a lot of you.” Helen smiled. "And T suppose you know it, but Laurel thinks a lot of you.” "Well. I'm her mother. She has to. But she's got what they call a sort of ’crush'—’mash’ we called it when T was a girl—on you. She hates to have me call it that. She wont talk about you very much, now. Thinks I might he jealous or something. I guess. Perhaps I was a Utile at first, though I hardly knew it. Laurel did, though. Trust her. She’s the sort of child knows what you feel before you do yourself almost. "I know. Sensitive, isn’t she—or. so sensitive! I think a great deal of laiurel, Mrs. Dallas. You haie a beautiful child, I think." For an instant the two womens eyes met. Was that bright look tears, they both wondered. S Stella was the first to iook awa>. She cleared her throat, coughed, made another attempt. "How’s {Stephen now? •4I think he's well." 1^^ "Suppose you. ae© him now' and "No. The Ust few times Laurel has visited me. Ml* Rimpson haa brought bar, and taken her away. Stephen and I haven’t met for two years.’ "Oh, that ao?” Stella looked back at Mr*. Morrison. Gracious! Whst had hanpenadT Tha shining look had all goas from her syss and ths light from her expression. Sht looked gray, ashen, and old, terribly old. "Look hers. Mrs. Morrison.” Stella went on, "I’m not going to best about the bush any longer. I’ve been think ing a good deal lately of the advan tages to me If I got things fixed up between Stephen and myself, ths way he wanted them fixed up a while ago. Rut before I do any more thinking 1 want to find out how things are now between Stephen and you. Helen's <leaped hands tightened upon her knee, but she showed no feeling when she spoke. ■ Mrs. Dallas,” she said, "I don t uant to be unkind, but self-denial, our duty to others, the toll that must bs paid for mistakes, separation from i H h other—nothing will ever destroy that which exists, even though with out form or expression, between Stephen and me.’’ Stella looked pitsf.led. 1 Hut what I want to know Is, If Stephen was flee, If I stepped aside, the way he suggested, would you two ret married?” Might as well coma light out with the riub. After all, It didn’t make her Jump. "We would,” Helen replied. "Are you sure?" "I'm sure." "Rut you haven't seen Rtephen for two years." "1 know, I know. Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Dallas. But ths truth Is best 1 think you want. It." "It * what. I cam. for.” It s what I shall give you, »v»n though It costs me Stephen himself ’Well, the next thing r want to get clear. Is if you two did marry, what about l.aurel?” t "If did—" Helen drew In her breath quickly, "why, If wa did—II we did—" "Ves. If yon did, what about Laurel?" Helen 1st her breath out aver so 1 i carefully, ever so carefully drew In another. "Oh, Laurel. Laurel is yours, Mrs. Dallas. A child is always her moth er's, I think. "You mean. Laurel would k»ep right on making her headquarters with me, the same as she does now?” "Why, of course. I am a mother, Mrs. Dallas. Once I was the mother of a little girl. My little gil l would be just Laurel's age now. As long as I live I shall never be guilty ^of robbing any woman of her only little daughter.” Stella glanced down at her shoe, out upon the terrace, back to her shoe again, cleared her throat, then boldly raised her eyea to Helen's. ""But if the woman didn't want her daughter. I mean if she couldn't have her very well, if it was incon venient—” "Don’t you want Laurel, Mrs. Dal las?” Helen exclaimed. "Oh, of course, J want her. but you see she's a great expense now, and I haven't many maids—no one to leave her with. I'm quite tied down by her. and—” "Oh,” broke Out Helen, and again her eyes were shinning, "I’d love to have Laurel!. I'd love to have Laurel, even if I had her without Stephen.” "No, that wouldn't do,” said Stella, hard and practical, her eyes shining, too, but not with tears—with triumph. "If you were married to Stephen your name would lie Dallas then, and Laurel's name would be Dallas, too. Don't you see? And everybody would think, who didn't stop to ask, that Iaiurel was yours. Gracious, she's enough like you—dark and slim ns a smokestagi, and you've tieeu her model f.w years, as fur as ways and manners go, and when you begin to do things for her—like giving her, well—a coming-out party, or some thing—you know she's 17 now—why, then the invitation cards. ‘Mr. and Mrs. Dallas, and Miss Dallas,’ would read right, don't you see? I've thought it out. And later, If one of the nire young men in your cirelo fell in love with Laurel, anti married her, why, then again, it would read right in the papers and society columns, where those things are printed. And the same way,” Stella pursued, warming to her subject, “at hotels and places when you have to register—that Is. If you should travel with Laurel In Kurope or California. Laurel really ought to travel. It Is so expensive, I couldn't manage it myself, what with all the private les sons in riding and skating, and danc ing and music, and heaven knows what not. You'll find she's quite up In those things. Oh, really,” earnest ly, eagerly she hastened on, unaware of (he increasing wonder and sur prise in Helen Morrison's wide-open eyes, "really, if you don't want a daughter of your own to take the place of that baby you spoke of that died. I'll say this, I don't think you'll ever be ashamed of Laurel. She takes after her father, and if you're crazy about her father, why, it popped Into my mind—honestly I can't see a trace of me In Laurel. Noltody can. She's so refined, and sort of elegant in her ways. You know that yourself. Ob, you needn't' have a mlnute'e doubt about what sort of a success laurel will make If you should bring her out in New Y’ork society some time. She makes a wonderful impres sion upon strangers. Why', If that girl didn’t have me shackled round one foot everywhere she goes, she'd just soar. Anil another thing I want to make clear to you, don't be afraid 'I'll be appearing at embarrassing moments. I won't—ever. I’ve got some common sense, thank heaven. I know what sort of an impression I make, too.” There was no mistake about the tears in Helen's eyes now. She rose, went quickly over to Slella, sat down on the arm of her chair, and put her arm about her shoulders. "I see! I understand!” she ex claimed, softly. 4 Stella stiffened. No woman had ever understood before. She had never understood herself. The under current of her life had been flowing beneath the surface waters, unnotic ed, unobserved for years, wearing a deeper and deeper channel, gathering strength and power in its hidden course. But not until Mrs. Morrison put her arm around Stella had any one looked down through the flotsam and discovered ttie crystal waters underneath. "Everything shall be as you wish." said Helen. "Everything. Travel and parties and friends—everything, that to you means happiness for your child. I’ll treat her hs ir.y very own, but she will always tie yours. You will nut lose tier. You shall see her often. We'll arrange that. Oh I wander if I could have done so big n thing for my little girl." Stella dabbed lier eves with her handkerchief through her veil, Strug gled to Iter feet, dabbed iter eyes again, bit her lip bard—Good gracious, she mustn't break down and bawl like a baby. (Continued In The Morning Hs. “Hi” Johnson in Detroit. Detroit. Jan. 17.—Hiram Johnson. I'niled States senator from Califor nia, arrived in Detroit today to open his campaign for the republican preei dential nomination. in the state that four years ago cast Its preferential primary vote for him. Close friends and political follow ers met the California senator upon his arrival from the train and ac companied him to A hotel, where he planned to remain until tonight, when he will he the guest of the 1'nlon I.eague elub preceding his address at the armory. EDDIE’S FRIENDS _■ ***• 7\MW4 <?AnA'T t^bw CO^B Tr^S E\JEMlMG ? imUAt REASOM P\D t Tt4E GlOE? X SWOULdVe KMOWU BETTER TrlAM " \10Jr\M^c. JNvMTED X4eM ANDAFTEE ^ AUL TAE PREPARATION ) IaJENT To J—— 'Wi>Du,T y I MOO LET 1 (VAE SREArf | 1 TO HER J \ ? r-T_ 1 X CAM'T J UHLP IT - X I TMCiM'T TBUL. TO SJAS / -( AvjAN r-J r—1— mia.ua' 1 Ue'uu wave. ■ PlKcHTO I -S&MP\U\cWES ■ AMP OUV/BS ■ FOR U'S I m bkeakfv^t I /®^td^oRRouj| > /a "wmm <>rr ©1924 mr Int'w Fl*t<iwcSt>||>|Ct. <7*1* Burgess Bedtime Stories I!y TIIOKTON W. BIRGESS. Who, knowlpjr ht hath rn*t hi* Tn*teh, Doth run away will s*t no scratch. —<ir*y Fo*. Yowler the Rob Cat Retiinm Curious. Yowler tlie Rob Cat was on hla way to the old cotton field to hunt for I-ittle Robber tha Cotton Rat. Ills way took hlin near the garden on the edge of which Danny and Nanny Meadow Mouse had made their home. Suddenfy Yowler stopped and threw up his head. His keen ears had caught cer tain queer sounds over in that garden. Something was going on over there. Ho couldn't make It out et all. Now, Yowler has just as much curi osity a* any one else. He wanted to know what was going on over there. 'He turned and swiftly, but noleesely, I made bis way over Into that garden, and creeping from stump to stump, keeping himself very closs to the ground, reached a place where with out being seen he could see what was going on. What he saw was Gray Fox pounc ing on a rusty old can, knocking It this wav and that way, and once In awhile picking It up end shaking It. At first he thought that Gray Fox was playing with that old can. Then he saw that Gray Fox was In * had temper, a very bad temper. He wasn't playing at all. He was very much' In earnest about what he wsa doing. Yowler became more curious than ever. "What alls that fellow?" muttered Yowler under hie breath. "He sets as If he has lost his temper ovsr that old ran, but what there can be about that old can to make Gray Fox lose hla temper is too much for The. lie _— -a^—- — - Wlmt lie saw was tiray Fox poune inC <>n a rusty can. is growling and snarling as if that old can ware alive and he was fighting with it. My. my'. I have never seen Gray Fox In a worm temper. No, air. I have never seen Grav Fox in a worse temper. Now what under the sun can there be about an old ran to make Gray Fox loae hia temper like this?” For a few minutes Yowler watched, and with every minute he grew more curious. Then he crept a little nearer. "It'S a queer performance," said he to himself. "it's the queerest per formance that ever I've seen. Hello! Now what can he the matter with Gray Fox? He acts as if that paw ha* been hurt." Gray Fox had stopped knocklnd that old can shout, snd was licking the paw that Uannv Meadow Mouse had bitten snd that had been cut on the edge of the old j-an. But he did this for only a moment or two. Then he pounced on that can again, and urn * more knocked it obitt this way snd that. Yowler crept atlll nearer. He made no effort to keep out of eight. He knew that Gray Fox had no eye* for anything but that aid can. Further more. Yowler didn't care much If Gray Fox did *ee him In fait, lie rather Intended that Gray Fox should. He was curious al>out the old can. snd he knew that If Gray Fox should see him he wouldn’t stop to even pass the time of day. At las' Gray Fox hit that old ran harder than ever and sent It end over end straight toward Yowler, where It stopped just a little wav In front of him. Gray Fox sprang after If. Yow ler arched his bark and growled. Gray Fox gave a yelp of fright, stop ped so suddenly that he nearly fell, turned and disappeared in less time than it takes to tell it. (Copyright. 3t24 > The next atury: “Yowler Takes a T urn.” To Explore in Australia. Lo* Angeles, Jan. IT.—Yilhjalmitr Ftefaneoon, arctic explorer, baa <3* ndeil to turn Ills attention to the lit tie known area* of Australia, he an no.incafl at a banquet given !n hii honor bene last night by th* Adven tnrera’ Club of l.oa Angeles. It ii hia intention to devote six month! to exploration and research on th< continent with a view to writing i suitable geography of that part o the world, he said. The Florsheim Shoe Co. 315 South 16th Street Accepts Rides From Strange Motorists Friend Who Warns Her of Danger, Worried—Big Chance Taken—Not W'orth Thrill. MV MMtTIJA AI.I.KN □HAVE a friend who thinks nothing of stepping Into a stranger's auto for a lift downtown.” Flo tells In her letter. "Isn't she taking a chance? I have often argued with her about this habit. 1 tell her she Is doing very wrong.” You are right, Fio, your friend does twite a chance on her safety. She lias taken one risky step by getting into the suto, so why shouldn't the man suppose that she is willing to take another. Te naturally believes that tli# girl is game for most anything. She may think that she is saving money by protecting her clothe* from the rain but site doesn't realize that she is besmirch ing her own respectability. The man /-an hardly lie blamed if he starts to get rough. He knows that the girl doesn't know whether he's a guntnsn, a murderer or a thief. He may lie a chauffeur look Ing for amusement. It is hard lo tell Just why girls lake sitrh risky steps. It may just lie seeking safety from a storm, it may lie to save time or Just a long ing for adventure. .Vo matter what the urge there is Just as much danger In taking « ride with a stranger as Jumping off a bridge. You never know whether you are going lo land right and be j able to swim ashore or whether you are sucked under by the whirlpools. Theie may lx* a hit of excitement In taking the chance of safe outcome to such an adventure but is hardly worth the thrill. An Argument. Dear Martha Allen: We are two school girls and have la*en having quite an argument a* to the correct way to wear senior class rings. We know the\- belong on the little Anger of the left hand. We say the ring should he worn so that you ca,n hold your band out w h‘*n anyone wishes to see It, so the letter can be seen light side up. Hut some girls ssv to wear It so that you can see it yourself by holding your hand up. and when anyone wants to see it turn your hand around. But do we have to look at it? We already know v.hat it is like. It s the other folks you want to show it to and it doesn't seem so awkward to hold your hand out gracefully. Is there any rule? i’BAHSMATK*. f'iass lings ate usually worn on the third or fourth finger and so that the letters may be read as you place the hand with the rine on a table l>efore you. But the way in which lings are worn is n personal matter. A good many persons wear ring* In a way to vary from the customary manner. Suit yourselves. Marketing Not ^ Farm Panacea Fargo, S'. D.. J*n. 17.—Co operative marketing is merchandising, not pro duction, and la a purely buatnes* problem, J. It. Howard, president of the S'atlonal Tranaportation institute, told the Trl State Crain Orowera’ as sociation today. “We farmwre our. selves are usually responsible for fail ure of co-operative endeavor because we do not slick close enough togeth er," he asserted. "Marketing through cooperative* !s nut a general panlcea for all the farmers' ills.” he said. “It is merely one aid, although a very vital one. in agriculture betterment. The farmeta’ right to build up co-operative organ izations should not lie denied them. I do not view co-operative marketing a* a privilege accorded the farmer, but as a right. We farmer* have the same right to control our product, through pooling or otherwise, juat aa far down the distributive channel aa ha* any other producer or manufac turer.” Adalbert Shuler Dir*. New l'ork, .lan. 17.—Adalbert sViul#r. miiftiHsn and compw-r, *nd for m«»r# tb»n 40 v#am prominent in m«»*;**al rirHas In Iowa. di*d WMn^s • l»y. H* wa* 77 y*ar* old. To I ore* a folo in On* n#y Tab# T,axati\ # BROMO QUININE j Th# box b«in ?h* aifnatur# #f E. V*. Mtrov* >ftr ~Adr*Mla*m*nr Hotel Rome Cafeteria The Best That’s All Relieves the ache of sprains prevents stiffness h as tens repair Sprains should be given careful treatment until the damage is entirely repaired. Apply Sloan’s. You don't need to rub it in. It eases the pain, prevents stiff ening of the tissues and hastens theworkofrepair.Getabottleat your druggist's today—35 cents. Sloan's Liniment—kills pain! ... Burgess-Nash Company. A Question of Business: £ At this time of year most stores have to decide this question: Whether to carry the present stock over to next year or sell now and take a loss on many items of mer chandise, especially clothing. The policy of this firm is to sell this season’s merchandise regardless of former prices. That is the reason we are offering this group of Men’s Overcoats at the very low price of $26.75. Men’s Overc< >ats Many 75 Values to Styles WO U Intern Ulnterettin It ox Hark Englinh Model* Single and Pouble-HreaMled Modelm Hell All Around Half Helled The lots are broken, but every sire and model is represented. M*in Flam ,- ,,“Owo of America's Great Stores' ._ a—