Part 13 (1/2)

”I've been thinking about that myself--and I'm afraid it wouldn't work out. First, I don't care a thing about him, and he would be so jealous of me my life wouldn't be safe, if he caught me talking to anyone else, and knowing what I've been, if he ever got mad at me he would be sure to throw it up to me--and I'm afraid I couldn't stand that.”

”Well, if I'm not mistaken, you do care for somebody else, don't you?

And if my guess is right--it's Harry, ain't it?”

”Yeah--you're right, all right, it's Harry. He don't even know my name, and I don't know a thing about him, but Jees, how I love that kid--Ah, nuts, one would be as bad as the other; I would be so jealous of Harry every time he was out of my sight for five minutes, I'd think he was with some other woman, and what's more, I'd be right--second, he is not the marrying kind, that is, he don't marry my kind--that's d.a.m.n certain.

Ah--to h.e.l.l with both of them, I'll take 'em all on that's got the price. What the h.e.l.l am I mooning about? Let's have another drink.”

”O. K., we will have another drink, but Pearl, you are only fooling yourself--you may say to h.e.l.l with them for now, but when you get up today, you will feel different about them. I know--I've said the same thing every night for the past five years. You can't settle it like that--if it were only possible to settle one's feelings like that it would make a lot of difference in people's lives--tomorrow you will go on thinking you can see Harry every night, and how you can chisel Big Boy at the same time, without the other being positive of just what you are doing--Honey, I know what I'm talking about. Five years ago, when I came to this border, I was the toast of the town--I know I don't look it, but I was sure a looker in those days, and I had my way any time I wanted it--but I was just like you--I was going to make a pile of dough, and make a getaway while I could, and marry some good, honest, quiet guy that would never suspect me of having been what I was. Yeah--I was foolish, but--I guess we are all foolish like that at times--Oh, G.o.d, if I could only call back those five years, what wouldn't I give, but what's the use, I've drawn my own cards, it's up to me to play them.

You say you want to get out of this--then you take the money you have, and what I've got, and you catch the first train--don't wait--don't wait for anything--most of all, don't wait for your own thoughts to catch up with you--just go and go quick, but you won't--what's the use--Oh, what's the use.”

”You're right, Ev, what's the use? But there's one thing--I'm going to do the thing I originally planned; I'm one Hooker that's going to get the dough and make the getaway. I'm going to do just what you suggested--I'm going to see Harry every time I can, and I'm going to get all I can off Big Boy--come on, let's get some sleep.”

”Honey, I'm for you hook, line and sinker. I'll also take the bottle and put it under the pillow in case I wake up thirsty.”

”You know, Ev, I've only known you for a little over twenty-four hours, but it seems I've known you for years, and you're a d.a.m.n good scout--good night.”

”Good night, kid,” said Evelyn, as she took a nip from the bottle.

They went to bed, to sleep the sleep of the just, and the hours slipped by as though they were seconds, until--

”My G.o.d, what is that, a fire alarm?” asked Evelyn, as she raised up in bed.

Pearl was still sleeping.

”It's that d.a.m.n phone,” growled Mickey, as she stumbled to it. ”Who the h.e.l.l could be calling at this time of night--or day? h.e.l.lo--what do you want? What? Oh, it's you, Tony--what's up? Oh, yeah, have they been able to trace the car, do you think? Do you think they will trace you?

Thanks, Tony, I'll see you later,” as she hung up.

”What's up,” yelled Evelyn, from the bed.

”Well, for one thing, there's headlines in the papers about the shooting last night, and Tony said the police were down there this morning, and questioned everybody on the place, and the boss lied and said that Tony hadn't left the place between twelve and six this morning. He says he don't know if they suspect him or not, and the police said there was only one woman in the car--so they must be all balled up--what do you think?”

”What's all the trouble, and what time is it?” said Pearl, as she raised up in bed.

”It was Tony called,” answered Evelyn. ”What time is it, Mickey, or is your time-piece working?”

”It's one-thirty,” called Mickey from the kitchen.

”Oh, good Heavens, I must get to the room, I don't even remember what time I had the date with Big Boy.”

”It don't matter what time you had the date with him--he'll wait if you are late,” from Evelyn, as she climbed slowly out of bed. ”Oh, my, I'll never be the same. I'm so stiff I can hardly stand up.”

”You spent all of last night getting that way,” said Mickey.

”Getting how?”

”Getting stiff.”

”I know, Mickey dear, but the stiff I mean is not the kind of stiff you mean.”

”You better be careful, Ev,” said Pearl. ”You might catch pneumonia from being in that river.”