Part 14 (2/2)

”I was invited over there, but I didn't go,” said Pearl, timidly.

”Stop that lying--you was invited all right--and you went, and when that shooting happened, you thought you better beat it. Who was with you?” as he moved closer, ”Where was Evelyn?”

”I don't know,” lied Pearl.

”Now, you listen to me--I don't care what you do, or where you go, see--but don't lie to me,” as he took hold of her, ”You are the first woman in my life I have ever asked to marry me--and get this--if I can't have you, n.o.body else will--I mean it.”

”You turn loose of me--I don't see what right you have to treat me this way, because I've been nice to you, you think I belong to you body and soul. Well, you let go of me, and get out. Who do you think you are?”

”Oh, so that's the way you want it--well--what I said goes--if I can't have you, there's no other b.a.s.t.a.r.d will get you,” as he punched her in the eye.

”Oh--help--help--you lousy tramp, get out of this room,” screamed Pearl.

”G.o.d d.a.m.n you, don't think you can get away with that kind of stuff with me.”

”Oh, Pearl--Pearl, please forgive me--I'll never do that again. Oh, honest, kid, I let my temper get away from me--Oh, please listen to me.

I didn't mean it--if I didn't think so much of you I wouldn't have done it,” as he took her in his arms, while she sobbed violently, and let him hold her close. ”I'll call a doctor and have him fix the eye up so it won't get black,” as he held her away from him, and then went to the phone.

”Oh, Jees--” sobbed Pearl. ”It's too late, my eye is already swelling shut--Oh, what a sight I'll be,” as she threw herself on the bed, kicking her feet and crying loudly.

Big Boy called the doctor, and was told he would be there at once, then he threw himself on the bed beside Pearl, taking her in his arms, kissing her and trying to stop her from crying.

”You see, you don't trust me--then you call me a liar--and then you beat me,” said Pearl, between sobs, as she thought, ”I'll put on a real show for him, I'll make him sh.e.l.l out some dough for this.”

”Oh, honey, can't you see I'm crazy about you--honestly nuts for you? If I didn't love you, I wouldn't be jealous of you, would I? I'll never do that again--will you believe me--let me get you a gla.s.s of water--please don't cry--come on, straighten up--the doctor will be here in a minute,”

as he held her in his arms.

A rap came on the door.

”Come in,” called Big Boy, as he got off the bed, ”Oh, h.e.l.lo, Doc--I want you to fix this eye for Miss Jones--she had a little accident.”

The doctor walked over to the bed, stooped over Pearl, and looked at her eye, already swollen shut, and turning a deep blue.

”That's a peach,” said the doctor, ”How did you get it?”

”I was coming in the door, doctor, and I dropped my key on the floor, and as I stooped over to pick it up, I hit my eye on the door-k.n.o.b,”

lied Pearl.

”Well, it's the first door-k.n.o.b I've ever seen that left knuckle prints,” laughed the doctor, as he went to work to fix the eye.

”How long will it be black, doctor?” asked Pearl.

”Oh, about a week or so, and then it will be as good as ever.”

”Ah, gee, that's tough,” said Big Boy awkwardly as he backed towards the door, ”I'll be back in a minute,” as he left the room.

”Will I have to wear a bandage over the eye until it gets all right?”

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