Part 18 (2/2)

When they arrived at the States Cafe, the height of the hilarity for the evening had pa.s.sed, for the less noisy crowd had settled down to black coffee and food, to try and kill off some of the liquor.

Harry was sitting in a booth all alone, near the door, eating a sandwich, as they came in. He did not notice them until Pearl walked over to his table.

”h.e.l.lo, darling,” as she sat down.

”Ah, gee, I'm glad you came--I've been waiting a long time. I'd begun to think you were going to stand me up,” smiled Harry, with gladness beaming from his face.

”Pearl, you and Harry excuse me--I'll see you later,” said Mickey, as she went towards the rear of the place to join a crowd of people she seemed to know.

”I haven't had much chance to talk to you about last night, when that awful thing happened. Evelyn and Mickey rushed right out over me, and I didn't know what had become of you, Harry. Did you get over the river all right?”

”No, I stayed on that side, at Dan's Hotel--they know me. You see, lots of nights when I don't make the bridge, I stay over there. It's not bad, really, but last night was a little unusual. When I couldn't find you, I had a hunch that Evelyn had gotten you clear of the place, and when I heard that some women had waded the river I knew that you were safe, because that's one of Evelyn's pet tricks. No matter if the bridge is open or closed, and Evelyn thinks that she had better get across that border, she goes for the river, and she has always been lucky--they have never been able to catch her. Boy, Oh boy--what a woman,” laughed Harry.

”Oh, Harry, you should see my new apartment--it's just grand.”

”You said you have moved tonight--but I don't think you told me where.”

”To the Hussman.”

”Oh, baby--putting on the Ritz.”

”Of course not--I just had a streak of luck, but you haven't even noticed my black eye.”

”Yes, sweetheart, I had noticed it, but I didn't want to say anything--I know if it is any of my business you will tell me, and it's not polite for a man to ask personal questions of--well--of a girl he really is crazy about.”

”Harry, you are sweet, but you see the black eye is the cause of my good luck. First, jealousy caused the black eye, then the apartment was rented to make up for it--see--that's all very simple.”

”Well, I can realize that anyone could be jealous of you, but I can't imagine anyone being mean enough to give you a s.h.i.+ner like that--I'm terribly jealous of you, but I couldn't do that to you--let's get out of here--this is no place to talk--can't we go somewhere, just you and I?”

”Yes, my apartment--just you and I--Evelyn has pa.s.sed out.”

They arose from the booth--this once Harry took time to pay before they left. They strolled leisurely up the street to the hotel, which is only a few blocks away.

Pearl opened the door to the apartment, and Harry went in, his eyes wide in amazement at the loveliness of the place.

Evelyn, in the meantime, had aroused from her drunken stupor and had ordered some food, and was sitting on the divan eating it, when they came in.

”I thought you two would be here sooner or later. I sure have been on a good one tonight,” said Evelyn, as they came in.

”Oh, Ev--I'm glad you came out of it--how do you feel?” asked Pearl, as she went over and felt of Evelyn's head. ”Gee I'm glad you are eating something. What was the matter tonight that you pa.s.sed out?”

”You don't mean to tell me that you pa.s.sed out tonight, Ev?” said Harry, as he came over and stood in front of her.

”Well, it's the first time in years, and I can't imagine what caused it.

I don't remember much of anything.”

”Here, Harry, sit down by me and tell me what you think of my new home.

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