Part 25 (1/2)

”No, I gave it up. They got too exacting for me, and began buying the picture rights of books and magazine stories by established authors in preference to original scripts for the screen. I was a piker, anyway--nothing in me, I guess. So I threw up the sponge.”

”You're still a waitress, then?”

She looked at him archly. ”Not on your sweet young life!” and she laughed. ”I didn't throw ambition overboard when I quit writing scenarios. Writing in any form is usually a slow road to success, I've learned. I never wanted to be a writer just for the sake o' the work.

I want jack, and lots of it, and what it'll buy.”

Hiram felt a sudden disgust for her and her sordid aims in life. But to appear polite he asked:

”What are you doing, then?”

”Everybody I can,” she retorted. ”I worked in a beauty parlor for a little as a hairdresser and manicure. I'm out for the money, Hiram.

I'm not a pickpocket yet, but that's because I don't know how to be one. But if you've got any loose change in your pockets watch out.

I'm out for the coin. But here comes Al. He brought me down. He's going to set me up in business.”

”Drummond?” he asked. ”He and I don't speak. We had a little trouble.”

Again she arched her penciled brows. ”He didn't tell me,” she said.

”He'll be sore at me talkin' to you then. See him over there by that saloon? He's stopped and is scowling at us. Well, I'll just stick with you to show him his place. Take me somewhere, Hiram; I want to see the life.”

Hiram did not know what to say. He would have preferred to terminate the conversation. Lucy Dalles held no fascination for him now. Hiram had met and loved a woman without parallel in his brief experience of life. But he could not be impolite, so he sauntered down the street with the girl, trying to make conversation and hoping that Drummond would not be offended all over again.

In all the resorts men and women were crowding before the bar, gambling with abandon or dancing.

”Buy me a drink, Hiram,” Lucy pleaded. ”I just want to go into one of these places. Women do it here, I understand.”

Hiram shrugged and led her into the Palace Dance Hall, conducted by a notorious character, who followed big construction camps, called ”Ghost” Falcott because of his chalk-white skin.

It was pay day at Demarest, Spruce & Tillou's, and the Palace was crowded. They found a place at the bar, however, and the girl stood looking over the half-drunken throng with eager eyes, now and then casting a glance through the door to see if Drummond was following her.

Their drinks had just been served when into the dive, with a grinning construction stiff on each arm, marched Jerkline Jo, laughing gayly.

This was no new sight. Frequently Hiram had seen his adventure girl in such places, laughing and chatting with old friends of the grade.

Always, it seemed, they respected her and took her actions for granted.

”h.e.l.lo, Gentle Wild Cat!” Jo called, catching sight of him. Then she noticed that he was with the girl, and a quick look of puzzlement came in her dark eyes.

Hiram made haste to call her.

”I want to introduce you,” he said quickly.

Jo turned, still holding to the arms of the stiffs, and Hiram made the introduction. Jo responded pleasantly, and the look that came in her eyes told Hiram that she remembered the name and knew who Lucy was.

”Sorry I can't join you, Hiram,” said Jo. ”These plugs have got me dead to rights, and I've promised to set 'em up to the house.”

She released the arms of the stiffs, and, cupping her hands about her mouth, shouted above the general din:

”Drinks for the house on Jerkline Jo! Le's go!”

Some one nudged Hiram on the other side, and he turned to find Orr Tweet.