Part 26 (2/2)

”Oh, this is an awful mess. Mickey, what did they do to you and Ev?”

”Took us to the station, and we got out on bail--ten bucks apiece.”

”Oh, here comes Ev.”

”Well, honey, you needn't worry,” said Evelyn, as she sat down on the side of the bed, ”Harry is only beat up, but nothing serious, just cuts and bruises and a couple of black eyes.”

”Ev, dear, I want you to go over to the hotel, and pack all my things and take them to your place and keep them until I get out of here--will you do that for me?”

”Sure, honey, and anything else you want me to do.”

”Miss Jones, pardon me,” said the nurse, as she came over to the bed, ”there is a gentleman to see you--he didn't give any name, just said say Big Boy.”

”Don't let him in here, oh, please--don't let him in here--I'm afraid of him,” said Pearl, nearly crying.

”I'll go and talk to him,” said Evelyn, as she rose from the bed, ”I'll tell that yellow b.a.s.t.a.r.d something.”

Evelyn followed the nurse out to where Big Boy was sitting.

”Well, how did you get out so soon?” asked Evelyn.

”I'm out on bail--twenty-five hundred--I want to see her--I'm crazy, but I've got to see her,” said Big Boy nervously.

”I'm sorry,” said the nurse, ”but you can't see her,” as she walked away.

”Why can't I see her, Evelyn?”

”Ain't you funny? You don't think she would see you after the way you beat her up--you must be nuts.”

”Oh--Ev--I've got to see her.”

”Well, this is one thing you won't be able to explain away, or buy away.

She is through with you and you ought to know it. Why make her suffer more by coming here to see her? You know she is scared to death of you?”

”Ah, Ev--I can't live without her.”

”I'm afraid you will die young then--you think that because you have money, you can beat up who you please, and then give them a present and that it is all over. Grow up--don't be like that--you know she is only a kid, and new to this racket, and then you pull something like that.”

”Well, I'll tell you this much, and you can tell her for me. If I can't have her, no other son-of-a-b.i.t.c.h will get her. I'll kill her first--do you get me?” his mouth trembling in rage.

”Listen, you ain't scaring me, Big Boy--I know your money will get you out of this sc.r.a.pe, but you wouldn't pull anything like that. Your money wouldn't get you out of that, and what's more, you better lay off her--I'm telling you that for myself.”

”Ah, Ev, can't you see I'm nearly crazy for having treated her like I did. Do you think you can talk her into seeing me? Won't you try?”

”Well, I'll think about it--but don't come here any more, you only scare her, and you won't get to see her. I'll see you later,” as she started to go back to where Pearl was.

”What did he say, Ev?” asked Pearl, anxiously, as Evelyn sat down.

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