Part 25 (1/2)

”Did you make anything last night, Pearl?” asked Mickey.

”I haven't looked yet.”

”I've got the enormous sum of thirty-five bucks,” said Evelyn, as she looked disgustedly at the crumpled money on the bed cover.

”Well, honey, you didn't stay over there as long as I did, and you see I stayed until I got to go through the General's pockets, and he is the bird with most of the money. I had my eye on him all night,” said Mickey.

”Now that another evening is here, what are we going to do with it?”

asked Pearl.

”I know--we'll call up some of the girls I know, and see if we can't find some place to go, or maybe we can engineer a party out at my place.

If we can, we will gather the fellows that we know to get the whiskey, and make it a rip-roaring, bang-up party--what do you say?”

”O. K. with me--how about you, Pearl?” asked Evelyn.

”Whatever you all say is right with me.”

”I've fallen for a new boy friend. I don't know what his name is, but they call him Dusty, and is he good looking, and can he fight? But--he's another one of those that haven't got a dime, but still, I sure can have a swell time with him. I'll call him right now, and see if he can get the rest of the boys,” enthused Mickey.

”I've never heard you rave over a guy before, unless he had something you wanted,” said Evelyn.

”Well--,” said Mickey, slowly, ”I guess he's got something I want.”

”Excuse me for living,” said Evelyn, as she climbed out of bed, gathering up the money that she had been counting, ”I don't know what he has got, but whatever it is, he has as good as lost it right now.”

Mickey went to the phone, calling several numbers before she finally got Dusty, who from the trend of the conservation over the phone, was glad to get the other fellows for the party, much to the joy of Mickey.

Evening came, they usually do, even in El Paso, and this evening was very little different from any of the others. The party started at Mickey's wild, mad, hilarious, drinking, loving, laughing, fighting and all the more thrilling to all concerned, because of its being on the American side. All who were invited, came, and brought others that weren't invited, as well as their friends also, but no one cared--it was for a good time that the party was given and everybody proceeded to make the most of the chance.

Twenty-four hours later the party was still going strong. The hilarity had grown in volume, instead of subsiding--the party was going too strong to stay in the bounds of the house--people were wanting to go places, and still keep the party going.

”I got an idea,” said Pearl.

”What is it, honey?” asked Evelyn.

”Why don't we go to my place, and still keep the party going there, and after that we will go to some place else--ain't that a good idea?”

”Sure, it's a good idea, but I can't tell how long it will last at that hotel--they may be particular about a party like this.”

”Well--,” thought Pearl, as she continued, ”we can go there and when we can't keep it up there any longer, then we will go elsewhere--how's that?”

”Fine, let's call Mickey, and tell her, and see what she says.”

”She is in the Kitchen, we will go in there and tell her,” as they shoved their way into the kitchen, where new bottles were being opened.

”Sweetheart,” said Harry, as Pearl came into the kitchen, ”I was just getting you another drink--here it is,” as he offered her the bottle.

”Harry, my sweet, I've a surprise for you--we are all going to my hotel--that's what we came in here to tell Mickey--are you for it, Mickey?” asked Pearl.