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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/36711-h.zip b/36711-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3fa7341 --- /dev/null +++ b/36711-h.zip diff --git a/36711-h/36711-h.htm b/36711-h/36711-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b407c8a --- /dev/null +++ b/36711-h/36711-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7261 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Hookers, by Richard F. Mann. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +/* Line Breaks */ +hr { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 35%;} +hr.cb {width: 75%;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.bbox {border: solid 2px; + padding: 4px; + width: 6em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto;} + +.center {text-align: center;} +.extraspace {margin: 1.5em; } +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} +.ralign {float:right;} + +.tnote { width: 40em; + border: 1px dashed #808080; + background-color: #f6f6f6; + text-align: justify; + padding: 0.5em; + margin: 80px auto 80px auto; +} + + </style> + + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Hookers, by Richard F. Mann and Rae Bourbon + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Hookers + +Author: Richard F. Mann + Rae Bourbon + +Release Date: July 12, 2011 [EBook #36711] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOOKERS *** + + + + +Produced by Tor Martin Kristiansen, Erica Altschul and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (at +https://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made +available by Randy A. Riddle. + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="tnote"><h3>Transcriber's Note</h3> + +<p>Suspected printing errors in the original text have been changed. A +complete list is included at the end of this e-book.</p> + +<p>Instances of inconsistent hyphenation have been left in place.</p> +</div> + + + + +<h1>Hookers</h1> + +<h2><small>By</small><br /> +<i>Richard F. Mann</i></h2> + + +<p class="center extraspace">PRINTED & BOUND IN U. S. A.</p> + +<p class="center bbox">TO<br /> +EVELYN</p> + +<p class="center extraspace"><span class="smcap">Copyright</span><br /> +1932</p> + +<p class="center extraspace">RAE BOURBON</p> + +<p class="center extraspace"> +<span class="smcap">All Rights and Translations Reserved</span></p> + +<p class="center extraspace">PUBLISHED<br /> +BY<br /> +HOUSE OF BOURBON<br /> +PHILADELPHIA</p> + +<hr class="cb" /> +<h2>"FOREWORD"</h2> + + +<p>In writing this preface, it seems that I have +followed the old Mexican custom of "Manana," +and waited until the book was finished, before +writing it, then I discovered that it was a +necessity.</p> + +<p>The characters in this story are real, live, and +living people, and most of them are still in the fair +city of Juarez, plying the oldest trade in the +world, and were known personally by the +Author, who studied them for several months in +pop-eyed amazement.</p> + +<p>All of the incidents in this story actually happened, +and are taken right from the bare facts of +life; in fact, the Author has had to tone down +some of the descriptions of the parties herein +mentioned.</p> + +<p>The Author has not meant to be vicious in his +statements of either country, but has merely +stated conditions as they were found.</p> + +<p class="ralign"><span class="smcap">The Author.</span></p> + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span> +"You lousy bastard, don't you ever set foot in +this room again. You sure got nerve—accusing +me of holding out on you—you know damn well +that guy never paid me a cent."</p> + +<p>"Well, Pearl, how was I to know? He came +down into the street, and said that he gave you +two bucks."</p> + +<p>"As long as you've been a Pimp, you should +fall for that stuff—Screw—get out of my sight."</p> + +<p>"O. K. Baby, but remember that if you ever +need me, all you gotta do is just say the word. +You know I'm all for you."</p> + +<p>"Nuts—I've been in this burg a week, and all +I done is turn Two Dollar tricks, and split with +you, and for what? You ain't never brought me +one dime, but you sure ain't missed any meals. +I don't need you or any other guy from now on. +I got my permit today from the Chief of Police +of Juarez, to hustle all I want on the Mex side, +and I'm doing it, starting tonight."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>One week had passed since the person of Pearl +Jones had stepped off the west-bound Texas & +Pacific train in El Paso, with one thought in mind, +and that to make as much money as possible in as +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +short a time as possible, and without bother from +the police if—possible, which is not POSSIBLE, +even in a border town like El Paso, as Pearl had +already found out.</p> + +<p>In order for Pearl to hustle on the Mexican +side of the border in the City of Juarez, it was +absolutely necessary that she have a written permit +from the Chief of Police, or any official whom +she happened to please in the usual way that a +girl of her ilk had to please one, when there wasn't +enough money in the pocket to buy the permit. +Consequently, Pearl found out later she could +have had a permit from the most lowly Immigration +official to the Mayor himself, but in the midst +of her efforts to please, the Chief of Police seemed +to be the one who was affected quickest in her +efforts to—please—. Hence the permit.</p> + +<p>Juarez, Mexico, chief port of entry to Mexico, +population of forty thousand souls, mostly lost +ones, separated from the United States by the +Rio Grande River, if it may have the luck to be +called a river, which at no time is deep enough to +wet the crucial spot of one's anatomy, in case one +has to run through it owing to lack of time to +make the bridge, which has often been the case.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> +"Well, this is a night for celebration," thought +Pearl, as she left her hotel to walk down to the +corner of Stanton Street, to catch the Juarez car. +The car was filled from door to door with old +Mexican women, wrapped in black shawls, which +would have been black with dirt had they been +originally any other color, and loaded down with +topping bags filled with the bare necessities that +their own Immigration was kind enough to let +them bring in, and anything else that they might +hide under the numerous dirty underskirts they +might happen to have on.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The car clanged, and slowly started its noisy +journey toward the Stanton Street Bridge, at +which it stopped from three to five minutes, for +the Mexican Immigration and Customs Officials +to go through the car and make a pretense at +examining everything that was being brought into +Mexico, as if anything on the face of God's green +earth that was brought into Mexico could hurt it.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"I wonder where I'll get off, now that I'm over +here," thought Pearl, as the car left the bridge to +ramble on its way on into the heart of Juarez, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> +which is the sixteenth of September St. "I know," +she thought, "I'll get off at the Tivoli, where all +the gambling is, and see if I have any luck there."</p> + +<p>"Hello, Honey," came the friendly voice of a +heavy-set woman of about thirty, who five years +before had been the toast of the border because +of her beauty, but who now had begun to show +what the excess of Men, Beer and Hook Shops, +too numerous to mention, can do to a woman who +had sold herself to any man with the price, and +had given herself just as quickly to a man whom +she thought she liked. "I saw you over here last +night and wondered who you were. Did you just +come to town? Well, my name is Evelyn—the +last name don't matter, but better known as Bar +Fly Ev. I'll be glad to show you the ropes around +here. Come on and let's get off here at the Tivoli +and snatch a couple of shots of whiskey, and see +if there's a dollar to be made here. Of course, it's +a little early just yet. The best time to pick a live +guy is about an hour before the bridge closes tonight, +that's when they are looking for a girl to +spend the night with, and they ain't too particular. +That's how I manage. Of course, you won't +have to do that—you're too fresh +looking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>—they'll +go for you like a Texas hog goes for swill."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The Tivoli, the official gambling house of +Juarez with any kind of a game you care to play, +run square, but with the percentage so heavy for +the house that a winning customer is a scarce +thing.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Say, Ev, did you have to get a permit when +you came to this town, before you could hustle +on this side?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Hell, no, that's a lot of dirty gippery. The +only permit I've got is the one that every woman +has. Of course, I know what you have had to go +through, and it's a damn shame that some louse +didn't tip you off. That's the way them Mex's +have of getting first pop at every girl that comes +down here."</p> + +<p>"What'll you girls have?" asked the bartender.</p> + +<p>"Whiskey for me, Joe. What will you have, +Dearie?"</p> + +<p>"The same, and a big one," answered Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Say, Dearie, by what name are you calling +yourself?"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me for not telling you before, but it's +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +Pearl—Pearl Jones—let's have another drink on +it.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's as good a name as any, at least, +it's good and common," smiled Evelyn, as she +killed her second drink without a chaser.</p> + +<p>"You know the old saying, 'Common by name, +common by nature.'"</p> + +<p>"I'm damned if you ain't O. K., and we'll have +another drink on that one. Hey, Joe, two more +drinks for two ladies."</p> + +<p>"Say, Ev, you must have something on your +mind tonight the way you are starting off. You +girls have a drink on the house, will you?"</p> + +<p>"Hell, Yes—I'll drink on anything. You know +me, Joe—Bar Fly Ev, the girl without a limit—at +anything. By the way, Joe, this is Pearl. She's a +new girl in town."</p> + +<p>"Hello, Sister, glad to know you. Have another +drink."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to know you, and Ev and I will have +another drink, possibly several more," answered +Pearl, displaying her best smile.</p> + +<p>"Say, Sister, you're dern good looking. I'd +like to see more of you," said Joe, as he poured +more whiskey, and leaned over the bar and patted +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +Pearl on the arm. "I'm O. K. You ask Ev if I +ain't. How about it, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"I'll say you're O. K., Joe, and you've spent +many a dollar on me, but Jees, you're seventy +years old if you're a day. Don't you ever get too +old for this sort of thing?"</p> + +<p>"You'll have to ask somebody older than I am," +answered Joe.</p> + +<p>"Don't let her kid you, Joe," smiled Pearl, "You +and I will get together real soon, how's that?"</p> + +<p>"Here, here, here—you two, let's don't have +an exhibition on such short notice. We gotta be +moving along. We got a lot of hard drinking to +do tonight, as well as a few dollars to earn."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ev, don't be in no hurry. You and Pearl +have another drink on the house."</p> + +<p>"Well—I guess we better have another little +one before we go, eh, Pearl?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, Ev. I'd as soon get lit here with Joe, +as later. Makes no difference by me."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Joe poured the drinks, and one for himself. +"Here's how," said Joe, as he poured his down.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +"We'll be seeing you," waved Ev, as they +started for the door.</p> + +<p>"Let's see—seeing that we're on this side of +the street, we might as well go to the Gold Palace. +It's only four or five doors down this way."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The Gold Palace, a large cabaret, with a balcony +on one side, the dance floor surrounded by +tables and chairs with their real ugliness covered +with dirty green covers, of none too certain age, +with a band stand at the far end of the place, the +bar off to the right doing a rushing business.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"We might as well go in here and cop a couple +of snorts of liquor, and see if there's any of the +girls in yet," said Ev, as she started for the bar.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Curley—my, you look grand tonight," +Ev greeted the young bartender, as they stood up +to the rail. "I want you to meet one of the new +girls who just came to town. Curley, this is +Pearl."</p> + +<p>"Hello, Pearl—I'm always glad to meet a new +girl. Now, what will you have to drink?"</p> + +<p>"Whiskey for me," said Pearl, "what do you +want, Ev?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +"Whiskey, and lots of it, Curley," answered +Ev.</p> + +<p>"Say, for cripes sake," said Pearl under her +breath, "who is that kid? Jees, he's cute. I've +been in here several times, and every time I've +seen him, I get all worked up over him."</p> + +<p>"Cool thyself, Sister, it will doith thee no good +to workith thyself into a lather about him. The +old jane who owns this joint—well, her daughter +married him. That's why he is working here, and +is true to the wife, maybe not because he wants +to be, but because he'd better be, or else lose a +certain section of his anatomy which would cause +him to be of no further use to anyone—ssshhh—here +he comes with the drinks, I'll tell you more +later. How is your wife, Curley?" smiled Ev.</p> + +<p>"She's fine," answered Curley, as he went to +wait on other customers.</p> + +<p>"Well, as I was saying—the old jane who owns +this place is Grace Valdez—no, she ain't Mex, but +when she came down here about ten years ago +she married one, in order to become a Mex citizen, +so she could run a chain of hook-shops without +any bother from the Mex government. Grace, +at one time, was the biggest Madam in Denver, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +Colorado—but she's a good scout. If you're in a +jam and she likes you, she can do you a lot of +good; in fact, she can keep any girl out of this +town that she don't like. I'll introduce you to +her tonight, if she comes around. That's why I'm +putting you hep—don't go on the make for the +Son-in-Law. Hey, Curley, give me and Pearl another +whiskey."</p> + +<p>"O. K. Ev, drinks coming up."</p> + +<p>"Don't be funny, Ev. I made five bucks off him +yesterday afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jees—" exclaimed Evelyn, with her eyes +bulging, "Well, for the love of your own soul, +don't let on to any of these other hookers, as they +are sure to run to Grace with it, and Hell would +break loose in a big way—but—I'm curious, is—I +mean—is,—well,—how the Hell is his bed manners? +I'm curious to know if the wife is getting +a break, considering all the fun her Mother has +had."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ev, he's—well—"</p> + +<p>"Ssshh, pipe down, here comes Grace now. +Hello, Grace, dear, how are you?" smiled Evelyn +sweetly, "I got a friend here who is just dying to +meet you, Gracie, dear."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +"Hello, Ev," answered Grace, as she walked up +to the two.</p> + +<p>"Grace, dear, this is Pearl Jones. She just came +to town, and I'm kinda showing her the sights +tonight."</p> + +<p>"How are you, Pearl," said Grace, as she offered +her hand to Pearl.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to know you, Grace; won't you have +a drink with us?"</p> + +<p>"I've just got time enough to have a drink, +then I've got to get out to the Red Lights Apartments. +Three of my girls got into a fight last +night, and one got stabbed pretty bad."</p> + +<p>"What was the fight over—a man?" asked Ev.</p> + +<p>"Sure—that's always the cause of fights down +there. One of the girls was caught with the other +one's man," said Grace, as she threw her whiskey +down, "I'm glad to have met you, Pearl. If I +can be of any help to you any time, don't be afraid +to call on me. So long, Ev," and with that Grace +disappeared in the crowd.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Say, Ev, I like that old dame."</p> + +<p>"I knew you would—she's a pip—that is, as +long as you don't cross her. Well, let's shove off +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +from here. There's a lot of bars over on Lysol +Lane we ain't been into yet."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Juarez Avenue, better known as Lysol Lane, +extends from the Sixteenth of September Street to +the Santa Fe Bridge, and all traffic, pedestrian and +otherwise, must go down this street and across +this bridge to return to El Paso, as both bridges +are one way, the Stanton Street Bridge is to enter +Juarez, and the Santa Fe Bridge to leave it. This +street, being a little over half a mile long, even if +you were sober when you start down it, you would +be drunk when you reached the bridge, as more +than every other door is a famous bar, others infamous—but +bars nevertheless, and as you near +the bridge they are bigger and better and louder +and wilder. So the girls started their trek down +this street with the Barrel House, then to several +bars of less importance, until they reached the +Castle, which is known for its wonderful band, +its good liquor, and its wonderful proprietor and +his wife, who, when she has been drinking a little +too much, does a strip dance on the floor that +causes the Cholos to fly for the river, to keep from +burning the seats out of their pants.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +"Hi, everybody," yelled Evelyn, as she threw +the swinging doors open and strode in. "I crave +whiskey and lots of it. Come on, Pearl, the night +is just beginning—Everybody, this is Pearl, a +friend of mine I've known for years—come on, +everybody, drink to her—W-h-ee-ee," screamed +Evelyn, throwing her arms around the nearest +man, and everybody moving and milling around +the bar. The band in the cabaret struck up a hot +number, with everybody screaming and dancing +and drinking, for the night was starting its mad, +hilarious orgy, which always ended with anyone +going to bed with anyone they happened to be +with, regardless of who it might happen to be, +sometimes even their own husbands.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Pearl found herself swept along by strong arms, +on to the dance floor, before she had time to see +his face, and when she did get a real look at him, +she wasn't displeased. He was a tall fellow, about +twenty-five or less, in laced boots, riding pants +and leather sport jacket, and grey slouch hat.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"I'm hot for you, baby; I could use you plenty," +were his first words to Pearl.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +"Well, you're not hard to take."</p> + +<p>"That will be for you to decide later," he smiled +with his eyes.</p> + +<p>"My car is parked just back of this place. Shall +we go out to it, or would you rather go elsewhere?"</p> + +<p>"Your car is as good a place as any—let's go."</p> + +<p>"Oke," he answered, as he put his arm around +her waist and lifted her off her feet and carried +her out of the crowd to the swinging door. "How +much is this deal going to cost me, Baby?"</p> + +<p>"Just five bucks, big boy."</p> + +<p>"Oke, Baby," as he slipped a bill into her hand, +"There's ten. If you're good for five, you ought +to be a pip for that."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>In the dim light Pearl uncrumpled the bill he +had slipped into her hand.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Nuts, big boy, what's the gag? This ain't no +ten—this is a fifty."</p> + +<p>"I know it—see if you can make the next fifteen +minutes worth it."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The band played wild, hot, throbbing, beating, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +maddening, breath-taking, passionate music, while +the crowd swayed in and out, and around. Young +men whispered soft, sweet words. Old men whispered +soft, sweet words. Young and innocent ears +listened and remembered. Not so young and less +innocent ears heard, still they did not hear. Hands +of young men strayed over their partner's bodies. +Hands of old men strayed over their partners. +Young and innocent figures quivered, and whispered, +"Darling, I love you," while less young, +and less innocent said, "Get your hand off my +Pratt."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Evelyn looked around all the faces that were +near her, but nowhere could she see Pearl. She +ordered more drinks while she waited, knowing +from experience that if a girl friend disappeared +for a few minutes there was only one thing to do, +and that was to—wait. There was no need for +hurry—wasn't she drinking all she could hold, +and it wasn't costing her a cent? Sure, she would +wait—till Hell froze over—or at least till whoever +was buying the drinks, stopped.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"For the love of Jees—where the Hell you +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +been? Look at your face—my God, but you need +a drink, dear," said Evelyn, as Pearl and her boy +friend came alongside the bar.</p> + +<p>"Excuse us for a minute, big boy," said Pearl, +as she took Evelyn by the arm and started for the +Ladies' Room.</p> + +<p>"You ain't answered my question, where—have +you been?"</p> + +<p>"I just made some real money—look." She +showed Evelyn the fifty-dollar bill.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you was out with that guy that you +came in with, all I got to say is—you damn sure +earned it."</p> + +<p>"Ev, you said it—I ain't so sure I care to meet +any more like him, at least not tonight, although +I gave him my address. He wants to come up +tomorrow. What do you know about him, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty—dearie—plenty, and if you can put up +with him you can have the world with a dirty +shirt on it. He is filthy with money, owns a mine +back out here in the mountains—you use your +own judgment, dearie."</p> + +<p>"Were you ever out with him, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"No, thanks, I bar horses."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +The crowds were beginning to work their way +down to the bridge district. All the bars were +full of hard-drinking men and women. The cabarets +were crowded, as it was time for the floor +shows to go on in these places.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Come on, Pearl, let's go over across the street +to the Lobby No. 2. It's a gay place, they have a +good show there, and there must be some of the +regular girls over there by now, and you've made +enough tonight already to spend the rest of the +night having a good time."</p> + +<p>"All right, I'm ready."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Lobby No. 2, one of the most popular bars in +Juarez, the bar in the front of the building, and +the cabaret directly back of it, quite a large dance +floor, with a band stand at the farthest end, and +surrounded on three sides with tables, and every +table filled with every specie of the human race, +some drunk, some more drunk, and some blind +drunk.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Hello, there, Ev," greeted the bartender. +"How's the old girl tonight?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +"I'm fine, Henry—I want you to meet a girl +friend of mine. This is Pearl."</p> + +<p>"Hi, Pearl, what will you and Ev have to +drink?"</p> + +<p>"I think I'll have Rock and Rye, and a big slug +of it—Ev, speed up, you're holding up the +parade."</p> + +<p>"Whiskey, my darlings—Hey, Harry—you +damn good-looking bastard—come over here, I +got a girl friend I want you to know."</p> + +<p>"Why, hello, Ev—I haven't seen you in days, +or I mean nights. Where have you been?" greeted +Harry Hicks, a tall blonde young man of about +twenty-three, who was the Master of Ceremonies +of the floor show.</p> + +<p>"Harry, this is Pearl—Pearl, this is Harry." +Evelyn poured down her whiskey without further +ado.</p> + +<p>"How do you do," said Harry, as he offered +his hand.</p> + +<p>"I'm very glad to know you," said Pearl, as +she took the offered hand.</p> + +<p>"How soon does the show go on, Harry?" asked +Evelyn as she wiped her mouth on the back of +her hand.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +"In about three minutes, come on in and see it. +I've got a good table for you near the band."</p> + +<p>"I'd love to," said Pearl, as Harry took her by +the arm and helped her through the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Hello, there, Irene," Evelyn greeted a girl +friend, "How's tricks tonight?"</p> + +<p>"Lousy," answered Irene. "I ain't made but +two dollars all day, but thank Heavens, tomorrow +is pay day at Fort Bliss, the soldiers are coming, +tra—la—la—la—la."</p> + +<p>"See you later," called Evelyn, as she shoved +her way into the cabaret, and on down to the +table where Harry had seated Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Say, Ev, that boy is a perfect darling—gee, he +is sweet, so fresh and clean looking."</p> + +<p>"Yes—Yes—Yes—my dear, every Bat in this +town has said them same words, and I been unlucky +enough to be at every saying."</p> + +<p>"Oh—good—there goes the show—look, Ev, +the way he announces, isn't he the cutest thing?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—I suppose you've made a date with +him tonight to meet at the States Cafe after you +get back on the U. S. side, and he is to take you +for a ride in his brother's car, and show you the +Rim road on Mount Franklin, and how the lights +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +of El Paso glitter down in the distance."</p> + +<p>"Why, Ev—how did you know?"</p> + +<p>"Dearest girl, he has only told that same line +to five thousand other Hookers in this man's burg, +and what's more, they all go for it—I don't for +the life of me know what it is about him that gets +all the girls going—but do they go—"</p> + +<p>"Did he ever tell you that, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Heaven forbid—there's only one thing that +Harry could make me do, and that's—puke."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ev, look at the way he sings that song—why, +I think he is about the sweetest thing I've +seen down here."</p> + +<p>"Pearl, dear, don't you let my dislikes bother +you. If you like him, you go for him. You see, I +been in this town for a long time, and when you +have been here as long as I have, you will hate +every Son-of-a-Bitch, and all that goes with them. +Don't pay any attention to my rants—Hey, +waiter—bring us two whiskeys, and for Heaven's +sake, make it pronto, I'm dead of thirst already."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The show went on, to a solid success, as it did +every night. It was eleven thirty, the band went +wild, so did everybody else. There was only thirty +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +minutes left to drink in, before the bridge closed +for the night. Everyone was making the most +of it.</p> + +<p>Evelyn and Pearl finally worked their way back +to the bar, where Evelyn ordered a pint of whiskey, +and killed the whole thing without taking it +down from her lips.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Jees, am I gonna get drunk tonight—make it +another pint, Henry—pronto," yelled Evelyn.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Pearl and Harry were wrapped in each other's +arms, conscious of nothing around them, living +for the night only.</p> + +<p>The States Cafe, the rendezvous for the continuation +of the gaiety after one has come on the +American side, not a large place by any means, +but serving good food, with no hindrance whatsoever +for the noise and ribaldry of the crowd, and +took no notice of the bottles of straight American +whiskey that appeared as if by magic out of the +ladies' bosoms, where they had been concealed +while in Juarez. The crowd had just begun to +come in when Evelyn and Pearl arrived.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>"Let's get a booth, Ev, and save a seat for +Harry, as he ought to be here soon."</p> + +<p>"Sure, grab a booth—but there is no need of +saving a seat for Harry, he's already here," said +Evelyn, as Harry put his arms around Pearl from +behind.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harry, dear, I had no idea you would be +here so soon," said Pearl, happily, "Sit here, dear."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you, Ev," asked +Harry, "haven't you a boy friend tonight?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah, I've had a boy friend for the past +twenty-four hours, but he's up in my room, trying +to sober up enough to go home. He is a louse to +his wife—but—damn—he's good to me. He paid +my rent for a month, and opened me a charge +account at the White House, and gives me twenty +bucks a month."</p> + +<p>"Don't this place have but the one waiter for +all these people?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Just the one dear; Frank is his name, and he +takes his time, but he's a good scout—wait, I'll +go and get you some water—gee, but you are +sweet. Boy—oh—boy, I'd love to cut you," said +Harry, as he kissed her on the ear and went for +the water.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +"Good Lord, Ev, did you hear what he said—he +must be a sadist."</p> + +<p>"No, I think Harry's Irish."</p> + +<p>"But he said he would love to cut me."</p> + +<p>"Well, dear, that expression has more definitions +than the one you happen to know," said +Evelyn. "My God, look who's here—if it ain't +Mickey and Betty—for the love of Heaven, where +have you two been for the past rear-end of the +week?"</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Betty and Mickey came over to the table, hellos +and greetings were very much in order, loud, +noisy, raucous, but good natured was the dirty +banter that passed to and fro among the crowd. +Finally they left Pearl and Evelyn, but not until +they made Pearl promise to pay them a visit, then +they squeezed into a booth with four other people, +but where they could still see everybody, and +shout ribald songs of the border at the top of their +voices.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"What is the matter with Mickey's face? Why, +Ev, she looks like she had been through nine wars, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +and fought them all herself. I've never seen so +many scars."</p> + +<p>"Well, you see," explained Evelyn, "Mickey is +the only woman in Juarez, or the world, for that +matter, that—if a fight starts in Juarez, and she +is on the U. S. side—she is sure to get into the +fight before it is over. I've seen her with a bottle +so deep in her skull it looked like a feather."</p> + +<p>"Darling," said Harry, "My brother loaned me +his car, just as I told you. Shall we take a little +ride when you are through eating?"</p> + +<p>"I'd love to, dear—I've never been riding +around El Paso since I've been here, but where +will we go?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we could drive out the Smelter Road +and back the Mesa way, or we could go up on +Rim Road, on the side of Mount Franklin, or +maybe you would like to drive out to Washington +Park—it is beautiful at night."</p> + +<p>"Well, if I were you," said Evelyn, "I'd go to +Washington Park. At least, there's grass on the +ground around there."</p> + +<p>"Well, why isn't there grass on the ground in +the other places Harry mentioned, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, as far as I know—I believe the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +natives of El Paso have had something to do with +the wearing off of the grass in said places."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know," smiled Pearl, "You mean cows."</p> + +<p>"Yes—some cows, but mostly heifers."</p> + +<p>"How do you girls feel about a drink," asked +Harry.</p> + +<p>"Well, why the Hell didn't you say something +before—good Heavens, it's been a long time between +drinks—bottoms up."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Screaming, glasses crashing, curses, tearing of +clothes, yells, biting, pulling of hair, turning over +of tables, running of people, came from the rear +of the place.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Good Heavens," screamed Pearl, "Those +women are tearing each other to pieces—why +don't somebody try to separate them?"</p> + +<p>"Come on, let's get going," said Harry, as he +took Pearl by the arm and piloted her out of the +place, never bothering to pay the check.</p> + +<p>"So long, kids, I'll see you tomorrow," called +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"But where do you live, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"San Antonio Apartments, on San Antonio +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +Street, number twenty-seven. Come up tomorrow, +dear—adios."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Harry and Pearl went out into the beautiful +new car, and took a long ride toward the Smelter +Road, to the fork where you return by the Mesa +Road.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Shall we stop and look at the moon for a +while?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"I'd love it."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll stop."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Harry pulled the car off the road at the top +of a small Mesa Butte, and turned off the lights.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Isn't it beautiful here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you are more beautiful than a thousand +nights," whispered Harry into her ear.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>She turned her head, looked into his expectant +eyes, and thought how handsome he was, with +that tightly brushed blonde hair, bushy eyebrows, +beautiful smile, backed by manly big white teeth, +surrounded by red lips.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +"Oh, Harry, you are a darling," as their lips +met and their young bodies quivered with the +thrill of expectation to be fulfilled.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>El Paso, city of one hundred thousand, not +counting the nearby towns and villages. Noon, +the sun maddening with its terrific heat, asphalt +in the street so soft that your foot-print is left in +it on crossing, only the business that has to be +done is all that is going on. People move about +lifelessly, clothes sticking to them. Mexicans, +dressed in black, with the usual black shawl +around their heads, as though it were the dead of +winter, and not a bead of perspiration on them, +with the only cooling place in the town being in +the theatres that are ice-cooled.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"My God—I'll die from this heat," said Pearl +to herself, as she raised up in bed, with her night-gown +sticking to her. "Jees, I wonder if I'll ever +get used to it," she mused, as she climbed out of +bed and raised the shade, and looked out on the +sun-baked city.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what I'll do today to kill the time +before I have to go over to Juarez tonight. I +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +know, I'll put on my things and go and wake Ev +up and have breakfast—then maybe she can suggest +some place to go where it's cool."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Pearl stepped out of her nightgown, looked +at herself in the mirror. She was twenty-three, +but she didn't look more than twenty, her beautiful +white figure, with all the curves of youth +reflected back at her, gave her a happy feeling, +knowing that she didn't look anything like the +rest of the girls that had been down on the border +long, and promising herself that she would watch +out and see that she would never—never be like +them. The door-knob turned slowly, then the +door was thrown wide open. In walked the big +boy of the night before.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Oh, Heavens," screamed Pearl, "Wait a minute +till I get something on," as she fled into the +bathroom.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, sweetheart—I like you just as +you are, that's why I came up at this hour; I +thought I'd find you in bed, or just getting out +of it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, please hand me something to put on," +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +came the voice from the bathroom.</p> + +<p>"Hold your hand out to get it, then."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Pearl opened the door to put her hand out, +and as she did, he slid his foot into the opening.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Oh, please, don't come in—I haven't a thing +on."</p> + +<p>"That's why I'm coming in," he answered, as +he pushed the door open and caught her in his +arms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, big boy, don't you know you shouldn't +do this? What will you think of me?"</p> + +<p>"Baby, I love you—don't you know that?—I +love you," he breathed hard, as he kissed her eyes, +her neck, her shoulders, and gathered her up in +his arms and walked toward the bed.</p> + +<p>"You will believe me—won't you—?" as he +held her as if she were a small baby.</p> + +<p>"Oh, big boy, you shouldn't act like this. What +would anyone think if they should see us like +this?"</p> + +<p>"What the Hell do I care what anyone thinks—I +want you and I want you all for myself—I'll +buy you anything you want. I've got +money<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>—plenty +of it. Can't you understand that I'll do +anything for you? When you left last night without +even saying goodbye, I looked all over town +for you, but I couldn't find you. You know what +I mean, I don't even know your name, but I want +you to marry me."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Tenderly he laid her down on the bed, smothering +her with kisses.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Pearl looked into his eyes—he was sober—sober +as a judge. He was a big man, a very big man, +but he was like a child that had found the toy it +had been looking for for a long time, and was so +happy at finding it that he would never let it go +again. He was fresh, clean, good looking, and had +that very manly odor about him that women love, +and above all, he had money, and lots of it; didn't +Eve say so and didn't he tell her so himself? He +ran his hands over her smooth body, his head was +laying on her shoulder, his big body against hers, +his breath seeming to scorch her. What was the +use to fight against this? She knew that sooner +or later she would give in to his pleadings, the +sooner the better.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +"Yes, dear, I do love you," she whispered, as +she put her arms around him, and pressed her hot +mouth against his hot, moist lips—they seemed to +melt into one.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Pardon, Madam, do you want to carry all +these bundles, or wouldn't you like for us to send +them over for you?" asked the clerk in the White +House, the largest department store in El Paso.</p> + +<p>"Hell, no—I'll carry them myself," said Evelyn, +as she began to pick up the numerous bundles +she had bought.</p> + +<p>"I beg pardon, Madam, but did you want to +charge those things?"</p> + +<p>"Jees, my all to Heaven has gone—certainly I +want to charge them, I got an account here, ain't +I?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, Madam, but we shall soon find +out."</p> + +<p>"Yeah—and for the love of Pete, make it snappy—don't +keep me in suspense."</p> + +<p>"Pardon, Madam," returned the clerk, laying +down the receiver of the store telephone, "I'm +very happy to inform you that your account is +quite all right; thank you very much—call again."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +"Thank you very much, and I'll call again damn +soon. Adios."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Evelyn returned to her apartment about three-thirty, +unwrapped her packages, smiling to herself, +and fondling her treasures.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Well, I've bought a new outfit from top to +bottom, and from the skin out. Won't I floor +that herd of tramps tonight—Hot—ziggety—damn—now +I'll bathe, throw on a load of that +loud perfume, and damned if I won't be a lady, +or know why."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"What was that?" asked Pearl, as she sat up +in bed with a start. There was a rapping on the +door.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?"</p> + +<p>"It's me—Ev," came the voice outside the door.</p> + +<p>"Oh, just a minute, dear, till I unlock the +door."</p> + +<p>"My God, don't you ever expect to get up +today? Do you know it is after four o'clock?" +said Evelyn, as she came into the room.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +"Well, I did get up for a little while, but you +see I went back to bed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see," said Evelyn, as she walked to the +bed on tiptoe, where Big Boy lay sleeping like a +child.</p> + +<p>"He came in at noon, and I couldn't get rid +of him, or I would have come over to your place," +answered Pearl, in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad you're able to get up." She +walked over to Big Boy, and pulled the covers +off the bed.</p> + +<p>"Hey, what's the big idea?" asked Big Boy as +he raised up in bed.</p> + +<p>"Shame on you," said Evelyn, mockingly, "Sitting +up in bed in front of a lady, and you with +no sign of any drawers on. Here, put these on +while I ain't looking," throwing him the trunks +of his two-piece set.</p> + +<p>"Oke, Sister; where is Pearl?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you hear the water running in the bathroom? +Well, you know darn well I ain't in +there."</p> + +<p>"Hey, look, Sister, I'll give you a hundred bucks +if you will talk for me. Look—I'm nuts about +that girl—there's nothing I want as much as I +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +do her—here's the hundred—will you do it?"</p> + +<p>"Will I? Boy, my mouth will run from now +on about you. Hell's fire—I'd talk for a bull with +that much dough."</p> + +<p>"You know I want to marry that Broad."</p> + +<p>"Well, at least that's cause for the damndest +drunk I can think of—Hey, Pearl—get them +things on—Juarez calleth me in a big way—and +you too; get them things on. Good Heavens, I'm +dry as a bone. Come to think of it, I ain't had +a drink in nearly an hour."</p> + +<p>"My, Ev, you look good today. Where did +you get all those new clothes?" asked Pearl, as +she came out of the bathroom.</p> + +<p>"The boy friend I told you about last night. +He is the cause of all this dressing up, and do you +notice the smell? I even put on my best perfume."</p> + +<p>"It sure smells good, all right."</p> + +<p>"It does now, but wait until I throw a few +beers into me, and I'll be the only one in Juarez +that will smell like a cross between a violet and +a swill barrel," laughed Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Don't you girls think we ought to have +some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>thing +to eat before we start on this drinking +tour?"</p> + +<p>"Big Boy, you think of the best things—food +will do us a lot of good right now. Come to think +of it, I forgot to eat this morning. Damned if I +ain't hungry," answered Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Where shall we go," asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Well—I think that the Hilton Coffee Shoppe +would be grand," suggested Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Hey, look—Big Boy, you go on down to the +cafe, and order for us, and we will be along in a +few minutes—will you?"</p> + +<p>"Oke, Baby; what do you crave in the way of +food?"</p> + +<p>"Well, as for me—I'll have ham and eggs—what +do you want, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"The same, and lots of it."</p> + +<p>"Now, look, you two—don't be all day," said +Big Boy, as he went out the door, giving Evelyn +a wink.</p> + +<p>"Pearl—" said Evelyn, slowly, "Do you know +what you're letting yourself in for?" as she sat +down on the bed.</p> + +<p>"Why—I don't get you, Ev, what do you +mean?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +"Just this, Honey—I like you—you're a good +kid, but don't be foolish—now don't think I'm +trying to tell you your business, but you see I've +been down here for a long time and I know this +border—Oh, God, how well I know it."</p> + +<p>"What are you driving at, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Honey, don't try to kid that guy—look here," +said Evelyn, showing Pearl the hundred-dollar bill +Big Boy had given her.</p> + +<p>"What's it for, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Well, he's nuts about you—and he wants to +marry you. Of course, you know that already, +and what's more, it's none of my business, but +for your own good, don't try to string that guy +along. He looks like a kid, that's true. He is as +easy to handle as a kid, but Pearl, he is a killer. +I know him, and I know what he will do. So, if +you want to marry him, and settle down, your +nest will be feathered and in a big way, but don't +try to kid him if you ain't serious—be frank about +it—tell him the truth and then lay off him, or +else be all for him. He gave me this money to +talk for him, and to tell you what a great guy he +is, and try to talk you into marrying him—I ain't +telling you what to do and I ain't telling you what +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +not to do—but don't kid him, and don't promise +nothing you can't make good."</p> + +<p>"Why, Ev, I haven't known you for hardly +twenty-four hours. I didn't even stop to think +you had a serious side—you are a dear. Sure, I +know what you mean. Now I'll tell you how I +feel towards him. I don't love him, I never could. +He's not my type, but when he gets around me, +and puts his arms around me, and pulls me close, +I can't hold out on him—he is the personification +of satisfaction—Oh, Hell, Ev, you know what I +mean, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"I admit you ain't left much to my imagination, +but I get you."</p> + +<p>"You see, Ev, I am in love—but I know it is +a hopeless love—but love, nevertheless—and it's +Harry Hicks, the guy I went with when I left +you last night in the cafe—that kid sure got under +my skin."</p> + +<p>"Well, he better stay from under them things."</p> + +<p>"You don't like Harry, do you, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Well,—I don't dislike him. I never thought +of him as anything but a big kid and I always +treated him as one—Harry is a damn good guy +as far as I know, and I don't think that he has +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +an enemy in the world, but don't make the mistake +that lots of the other girls have made with +Harry—he likes all the girls, and what's more, +he couldn't be true to any one for five minutes, +not even himself—he's like millions of other men; +to him a woman is for one thing, and when he +is through, he is through—so the only way to +impress him is to never—never let him know that +he means any more to you than the lowest Cholo."</p> + +<p>"That seems to be the standard formula to make +any man nuts for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh—good—Heavens, Pearl, dear, we are forgetting +Big Boy, and most of all to me, we are +forgetting breakfast, even if it is almost dinner +time," said Evelyn, as they hurried to the street.</p> + +<p>"Have you been waiting long?" asked Pearl, +as they sat down.</p> + +<p>"Not long, but I had begun to be a little impatient."</p> + +<p>"Did you order for us yet?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"No, I thought I'd better wait, so I just had +coffee, and decided to read the paper until you +showed up."</p> + +<p>"Any news?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Paper says that some old boy down below the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +border is sore because he ain't President, and is +gathering troops back in the mountains to start +a little revolution."</p> + +<p>"That ain't nothing new," said Evelyn, "That's +in every day's paper."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet it's something awful down here when +a revolution does start," mused Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Awful is right—awfullest laugh in the country," +answered Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Have you and Big Boy ever been down here +when one started?"</p> + +<p>"I'll say," answered Evelyn, as she sipped her +coffee. "I was over in Juarez when the last one +started."</p> + +<p>"It must be awful, all those guns."</p> + +<p>"Yeah—the only kind of guns these Mex wars +are fought with is Gonorrhea Guns."</p> + +<p>"Listen, honey," said Big Boy, "What are you +doing tomorrow afternoon?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing—why?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Well, I won't be able to see you tonight, I've +some business to attend to, but tomorrow afternoon +I thought you might like to go swimming +some place."</p> + +<p>"Oh—I would—wouldn't you, Ev?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +"I would not. I hate water, even for swimming, +but that don't stop you two from going +and having a good time."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll be seeing you, tomorrow afternoon +at two o'clock, at your room, baby," as he picked +up the checks and started for the door.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure it's swimming he wants to meet +you for?" asked Evelyn, with a mouth full of +eggs.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Ev—I can't figure it. I've never +been in love before, and I don't know what it's +like, but I think this is the real thing."</p> + +<p>"You mean with Big Boy?" exclaimed Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"No—no—no—Ev, honey, I mean Harry +Hicks. When that kid took me in his arms last +night out on that mountain, I went hook, line +and sinker, and I don't know how to handle it."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, Pearl, yet I'm happy—but there's +only one thing can come from it, and that's—trouble—, +but you got to expect that. You see, +for every bit of fun you have in this racket, you +have twice as much trouble, so my motto is—laugh, +as long as you can, and take the rest of +it with a grain of salt, so if you love Harry—you +go right ahead—let nothing stand in the +way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>—make +it grand while it lasts—then when it's over, +you will have something to remember, and nothing +can take that from you."</p> + +<p>"Come on, Ev, let's get going. It's early, but +let's go on over to Juarez and have a few snorts, +what do you say?"</p> + +<p>"When you mention drinks, you're talking +right up my alley."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Evelyn and Pearl strolled out of the Coffee +Shoppe, and down South El Paso Street, across +in front of the Paso Del Norte Hotel, to wait for +the Juarez car.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"My God, what you all doing standing here, +not saying a word?" came a voice from behind +them.</p> + +<p>"Why, hello, Mickey," said Evelyn, as she +turned and saw who it was.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Mickey," said Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Say, listen, you kids—got any dates for tonight?" +asked Mickey.</p> + +<p>"I ain't," said Evelyn. "Have you, Pearl?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's three old guys, five days older +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +than Hell, throwing an all-night party in the Rio +Bravo Hotel, and they asked me and Betty to get +as many girls as we could. There's plenty to drink, +plenty to eat—there will be lots of fellows there +besides them old ones, and there's a chance to +make a few dollars, and if you can't make any +money—well—when they get drunk you can +always go through their pockets," said Mickey, in +a voice that was supposed to be confidential, but +still could be heard at least a block away.</p> + +<p>"What do you say, Pearl?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Do you think Harry will be there?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Heavens, be calm," as she lifted her hands +in supplication.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Mickey, "He'll be there; you +couldn't keep him away from them kind of parties. +Last one Harry was on, he got so drunk he stripped +stark naked and did a Spanish down the hall."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet that was a sight," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Oh, honey, that wasn't no sight at all—that +big guy here they call Big Boy, well—he was as +drunk as Harry, and he got naked too, and took +an umbrella and opened it, and used it for a +parachute when he jumped from the second-story +window."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +"Is that the Big Boy we know?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"I don't know how well you know him," +answered Mickey, "but it's the one you was out +in the car with last night."</p> + +<p>"Why, jumping out of a second-story window +like that, it's a wonder he didn't break his neck."</p> + +<p>"Pearl, dear," said Evelyn, "It wasn't his neck +he lit on."</p> + +<p>"How did you know I was out in the car with +Big Boy last night?" Pearl asked Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Well—you see, I had been mixing my drinks, +and I was sick, and I went outside to heave. Well, +I was sitting on the running board of the car on +the off side, when you all got in, but I didn't sit +there long."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Honey, riding a wild horse is tame beside trying +to sit on that fender," laughed Mickey. "Well, +I'll see you all tonight at the party, as soon as the +bridge closes." She waved as she went on down +the street.</p> + +<p>"Don't you get sore at nothing anybody says +to you—she is a good scout, Pearl, and when you +know her better you will like her, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"Oh—Ev, why would I get sore—come, come, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +come—here is our car." Pearl grabbed Evelyn's +hand and started running for the car.</p> + +<p>"My Heavens," exclaimed Evelyn, "This street +car reminds me of some Madam's parlor—there's +five girls I know—hello, gang."</p> + +<p>"O. K., Ev. How is the biggest liquor and beer +consumer today?" asked one of the girls.</p> + +<p>"I'm fine. Girls, this is Pearl. She is a newcomer +in our midst, and a good scout—Pearl, this +is the girls—find out their names for yourself. I +knew what some of their names was last week, +but only Heaven knows what they are this week."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The girls smiled and said hello to Pearl, and all +moved over for them to sit down.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Ev, what's this I hear about a party tonight +at the Rio Bravo Hotel—have you heard about +it yet?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—Mickey Finn, you know her, we just +run into her at the corner, and she told us about +it, and said for us to come. Are you going?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, we all are."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it will be all right, Ev?" asked +Pearl, under her breath.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +"I don't get you—how do you mean all right?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I've never been on an all-night party in +Juarez—so naturally I'm curious—but what I +mean is—can you get away with much over here +without the Mexicans landing you in jail?"</p> + +<p>"As long as there ain't no murder, or absolute +destruction of property—you are pretty safe, but +why bother—wait till you get in the can before +you start worrying about it."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Juarez, with its lights twinkling in the glowing +dusk—with its midnight purple mountains looking +like big, futuristic pillows flanking it on three +sides, the skies screaming, flaming, gold, crimson, +varied colors of reds, shading into blue, darker +blue, then deep blue, then to purple in the far east, +with the sounds of laughing, running, playing +dogs and children, sounds of a twanging guitar +slightly out of tune, accompanied by a nasal but +sincere Mexican love song being sung to a Senorita +with dark eyes and broken, dirty teeth, and +bosoms that would make a Holstein cow's eyes +bulge with envy—smells of all sorts drifted on the +soft, gentle breeze, of tortillas, of beans frying +with cheese, of chili sauces, of charcoal, of +un<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>washed +dirty bodies, of manure, both human and +animal. A street car rattling by with its cargo of +brilliantly painted cheeks, flashing smiles, syphilis-carrying, +would-be, has-been, and are-to-be whores.</p> + +<p>Signs advertising whiskeys, and liquors of all +kinds, brilliant in color, flashed in the deepening +dusk, their utter defiance at the American side of +the border. The extra bartenders were coming on +duty, extra waiters were appearing in respective +places, rubbing their hands together like pawnbrokers, +at the thought of the night's tips; at the +thought of what could be taken out of the pockets +of one too drunk to notice; at the thought of the +tips that would be thrown at the entertainers that +would roll where they could stoop and pick it up +without being noticed; at the thought of drunken +women's pocketbooks that can so easily be gone +into in a crowded place without fear of being +caught. This was Saturday night, the biggest +night of the week.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"We are getting off here at the corner," said +one of the five girls. "We are going to start with +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +the Gold Palace, Pearl; you and Ev come along +with us."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Evelyn started to rise.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Thanks," said Pearl, as she caught Evelyn's +arm, "We are going to ride around to the Lobby +No. 2. I've a friend around there to see on business—but +we will see you at the party, if not +sooner. I hope you all have some good luck +tonight."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, honey," called one of the girls, "I'm +damned if we don't need it."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you come on and get off and get +a drink? I don't think Harry is there yet—it's a +little early for him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ev, I just can't wait."</p> + +<p>"Well, I admit you sure got it bad."</p> + +<p>"Say, how do these parties usually end, and +where?"</p> + +<p>"They usually end in the Goddamnest fight, +and just anywhere that they didn't start," answered +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Do you think this one will end that way?"</p> + +<p>"I can't see why this one should be any +differ<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>ent +from any of the rest; besides, Mickey Finn is +going to be there, and that's always the sign of a +fight."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Hugo's Lobby No. 2 was brilliantly lighted, as +ever, and much less crowded than the night before, +owing to the early hour. As Pearl and Evelyn +walked in, there were about fifteen or twenty +people at the bar, and about three times as many +in the cabaret having dinner.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Hello, Henry," called Evelyn, "Two whiskeys +for two ladies."</p> + +<p>"Coming up, Ev."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Pearl felt two cool hands slip over her eyes, +and a soft voice in her ear, that made her body +quiver and caused a tight feeling in her stomach.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Guess who, darling," said the voice in her ear.</p> + +<p>"Hi—Harry, you big louse," came from Evelyn +before Pearl could say a word.</p> + +<p>"Oh, gee, Ev, you spoiled my game," said +Harry poutingly.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +"She ain't no game, Harry—she's a sure thing," +winked Evelyn.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Harry took Pearl in his arms, gave her a big +hug, and then kissed her.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Oh, Harry—what will people think?"</p> + +<p>"Look all around you," said Evelyn, "Not a +soul has noticed you."</p> + +<p>"What are you having to drink, Harry?" asked +the bartender.</p> + +<p>"Whiskey, pal," answered Harry; then to +Pearl, "Listen, honey, are you doing anything tonight? +I'm going on a party, and it may be a bit +rough, but would you like to come? I know you +will have a good time."</p> + +<p>"I know all about the party, darling, and Ev +and I are both going, aren't we, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Sure thing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's great," said Harry. "Well, I got +to be going now. I've got to get that band to +playing, and start a little excitement in there, or +the guests will kick. So long, honey, I'll see you +at the party."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Henry, another whiskey for me," called +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +Evelyn. "What do you want, dear—whiskey or +smelling salts?"</p> + +<p>"Both," answered Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Do you really like him as much as that? No +kidding, come clean."</p> + +<p>"Honestly, cross my heart, I love him—like +Hell."</p> + +<p>"Well, suppose you catch another dame cooing +over him, and making love to him in a big way—then +what?"</p> + +<p>"I'd cut enough meat off her rear end to feed +the dogs for a week," said Pearl, viciously.</p> + +<p>"Well, I admit there are a lot of rear ends in +this town that could stand a little cut off here +and there, but some of them are so tough you +would have to use a hack-saw to do it," tittered +Evelyn. "Did you ever stop to think that Big +Boy might feel the same way about you that you +feel about Harry? Have you stopped to think of +that, and have you stopped to think Harry might +feel about you the way you feel about Big Boy? +Now, honey, don't think I'm butting in, cause I +ain't, but think about it, will you?"</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The Rio Bravo Hotel, on the Sixteenth of +Sep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>tember +Street, is the Class A hotel of the town. +With the street cars running in front of it, with +the railroad track on the side of it, a rip-snorting +bar under it, and the numerous parties going on +inside of it, it would hardly be a place one would +pick out to spend a quiet evening, or get a night's +sleep—so when one goes to the Rio Bravo, one +does not go for anything less than a party—or +maybe to earn two dollars, but, of course, that +takes but a matter of a few minutes—in Juarez, +but as so many of the local population figure, why +spend a dollar for a room when there are so many +dark nooks and corners off the main street, and +parked cars, whether your own or someone else's.</p> + +<p>The rooms in this establishment are furnished +with only the bare necessities of a room—a bed, +a chair, sometimes a rocker, sometimes with the +rockers broken off, but still used as a chair, a rug +on the floor, but never a big one, or a good one, +and the bathroom, but never in the history of +Juarez has the hotel water heater ever been known +to work, never any toilet paper, but a pile of newspapers +stacked in the corner, a mirror, a cracked +one, but still usable, if you are not particular—and +one seldom is—when one is on a party.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +It was twelve-thirty, the mad rush for the International +bridge was over, the gates separating the +two republics were closed until six o'clock in the +morning.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Think we better stop and have some coffee +before we go on up to the hotel, what do you +think?" said Evelyn, as she and Pearl walked arm +in arm unsteadily up the street.</p> + +<p>"If we gotta do a lot of drinking up there, it +wouldn't be a bad idea," answered Pearl. "Here's +as good a place as any." She took Evelyn's arm +and turned her into a little Mexican cafe.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>They sat and sipped their coffee for a while, +said nothing to each other, or to anyone else, as +they were the only ones in the place except the +little weezened black waiter, who could easily +have been mistaken for a Negro, had it not been +for his straight black hair.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"All through?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Yeah—let's get going and see what this joint +of joy is going to be like."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +They left the place, and walked up the street +toward the Rio Bravo. As they were crossing the +railroad tracks next to the hotel, Evelyn stopped, +"Good Lord, look coming—there's Ruby, Myrtle, +Betty, Billie, Lillian, Virginia, Annie, Laura, +Irene, Marie, and I don't know any of the others."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Well, we must not be late for the party, anyhow, +seeing that they are just arriving."</p> + +<p>"Jees—there's probably twice that many already +up there," answered Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Where do they all come from?"</p> + +<p>"A party in this town does the same thing to +these Hookers that cheese does to rats."</p> + +<p>"Let's wait a minute and let them go on in," +said Pearl.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>They waited until the girls had disappeared: +"Come on, dearie, we might as well go on and +crash it and see what's going on." They went up +the steps and into the lobby, which was rather +bare, with nothing but a few leather chairs, showing +considerable use, and a desk at the back near +the stairs.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +"Oh, Senorita Evelyn, I have not see you for +so long time, I have near forget what you look +like," bowed the clerk, who was possessed of a +monstrous stomach.</p> + +<p>"Hi—Guts—we are looking for that party +that's going on here tonight."</p> + +<p>"A thousand pardons, Senorita, there is five +parties going tonight. You will look and see which +one you are invited to. I need not go up with +you—you will hear these parties long before you +see them. Have a very good time, Senorita."</p> + +<p>"Come back here, you slut—do you hear me—come +back here with my leg," came a voice, as +Evelyn and Pearl neared the second floor.</p> + +<p>"You can just go to Hell, you cheap, lousy +bastard, having the nerve to promise me two dollars, +and then when I'm ready to go, you saying +you wasn't going to give me a dime—Goddam +you, you just try and get this leg back," said +Mickey Finn, as she came to the head of the stairs, +with an artificial leg under her arm, with the shoe +and sock still on it.</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble, Mickey?" asked Evelyn, +as she and Pearl came up.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +"Why, can you believe a guy would have the +nerve to pull a trick like that on me—promising +me my money, and then not giving it to me? I'm +taking this leg and hock it—to Hell with him—the +thing that makes me sore is anyone trying to +pull a lousy trick like that on me—can you believe +it?" fumed Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Come back here with my leg, you bitch. If I +get my hands on you, I'll wring your damn neck."</p> + +<p>"Go to Hell," screamed Mickey, "You'll pay me +more than two dollars to get this leg back."</p> + +<p>"Pipe down, Mickey," shushed Evelyn, "If +Guts hears you, he'll raise Hell right."</p> + +<p>"A thousand pardons, Senoritas, but what is +this trouble—and you—what are you doing with +the Senor's leg?" came the voice of Guts from +behind the trio.</p> + +<p>"You seen me come in here with this guy, +didn't you, Guts? He paid for the room, didn't +he? Well, after he had his fun he refused to pay +me my two dollars, and I'm damned if I ain't +taking his false leg for the bill—and come to think +of it, what have you got to say about it? Are +you for me, or are you against me? You remember, +I know of a couple of dirty deals I could tell +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +the Custom and Federal authorities about—and +by God, you know me, Guts," frothed Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Senorita—I am so sorry. Why you did +not call me before? You are my friend, and no +one can say different," answered Guts, as he +pulled his enormous belly up, and with a scowl +on his near-black face, started down the hall toward +the half-opened door.</p> + +<p>"Take that leg away from that slut," ordered +the man, leaning against the dresser to support +himself, as Guts and the three girls came into the +room.</p> + +<p>"Why have you refuse to pay the Senorita?" +asked Guts.</p> + +<p>"Refuse to pay her—why, the damn liar—I +have paid her."</p> + +<p>"You are just lying because there's some other +people here. You ain't give me a red cent, and +what's more, you are giving me ten dollars or I'm +taking the leg. Ain't I right, Guts?"</p> + +<p>"Si, Senorita, you are right."</p> + +<p>"Hand the leg over and I'll give you the ten +dollars to get rid of you."</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll give it to you, but don't you +try to pull nothing funny or I'll take that thing +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +away from you again, and beat the Hell out of +you with it," said Mickey, as she handed him +the leg.</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said the man, as he took the leg, +and reached down the top of it and pulled out a +roll of bills, "Here's your ten," as he dug it out +of a roll of fifties and hundreds.</p> + +<p>"I'll be damned!" said Mickey, as they all left +the room, "That's what I get for getting chicken-hearted, +and giving it back to him. Every time I +get sympathetic I lose money."</p> + +<p>"Cheer up, Mickey—let's find the drinks," said +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Well, you ain't got far to look. They are +right above us on the next floor," answered +Mickey, as she made for the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Well, nobody can't say it ain't starting off +well—if we all don't end in the Mex jail, it will +be a miracle of fate."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>As they reached the third floor a sight greeted +their eyes that would have made the old Roman +gatherings look like child's play. There were +couples everywhere in the hall, some fully dressed, +some partially dressed, others practically nude, all +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +oblivious of each other, while in the room there +were less clothes but many more bodies, laying +around on the floor, sprawled on chairs, on the +bed, on the bathroom floor, while the bathtub was +piled high with ice and bottles of every description; +the connecting room to the bathroom had +been opened, and an old phonograph was scratching +the Mexican National Anthem, while a couple +scantily clad, both male and female, in ladies' +step-ins, insisted on doing their idea of the rhumba, +which consisted mostly of the male part of the +team goosing the female with the third finger of +the hand, while she leaped, and screamed, with +elephantine grace, much to the joy of the spectators, +who were beginning to undress and join +the dance, midst shouts and screams of gaiety.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Of the three hosts that gave the party, two had +passed to the realm of unconsciousness, while the +third sat stark nude on the dresser, with his +toupee in one hand, and a bottle of whiskey in the +other, wasting no time in trying to join his friends +in the happy state of unconsciousness.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Looks like good pickings to me," said Mickey. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +"Everybody is undressed—it won't be no trouble +to go through their pockets."</p> + +<p>"Good God, the bathroom is the place we are +looking for. That is where all the drinks are. +Come, come, my dear, let us not waste time," +said Evelyn, as she stepped over the sprawled +bodies on the floor.</p> + +<p>"Jees, this takes the prize—I been on lots of +parties, but never on one like this," said Pearl, +as she followed Evelyn, who by this time was +opening a fresh, cold bottle of whiskey.</p> + +<p>"Why, the Hell—will they put whiskey on +ice."</p> + +<p>"Well, you couldn't expect anybody in this +condition to know any different, could you, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"You couldn't expect people who get in this +condition to give a damn in the first place," said +Evelyn, as she took a long swig of the freshly +opened bottle, "Even I don't care after the first +ten drinks."</p> + +<p>"Quick—give me a slug of that stuff—if I ever +get sober on a thing like this, and actually realize +what it's all about, I'd do a nose dive out of my +hotel window some morning," said Pearl, as Evelyn +handed her the bottle. "Come to think of +it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>—I +ain't seen hide nor hair of Harry, and he said +he would be here."</p> + +<p>"Well, Pearl, dear, when you see a pile of +whores about ten deep, dig to the bottom of them +and you will find Harry—at least, that's where +he usually is."</p> + +<p>"Oh—Jees—that's lousy whiskey—open another +bottle—that tastes like tobacco juice."</p> + +<p>"There's going to be trouble here this night as +sure as the world stands—" said Evelyn under her +breath. "I just saw Juan Moros pass the door—and +that's a bad sign, as sure as you're born."</p> + +<p>"Who is Juan Moros?"</p> + +<p>"He's the boy friend of Negro Noche, and he +has been on the trail of Irene, the blonde girl that +came in with the crowd we saw come in just ahead +of us. You know Irene, the tall blonde—he is +crazy about her."</p> + +<p>"Well, what's that got to do with us?" asked +Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Plenty—and in more ways than one—Negro +Noche is the one woman in the town to be afraid +of. She has been pulled in by the government +officials several times for smuggling dope over the +border into the United States—but they have +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +never been able to convict her. She was arrested +not long ago for smuggling Chinese across, and +several attempts have been made to frame her, but +no one has ever been able to pin it on her, and +now she has threatened to kill any woman that she +catches the boy friend with, and what's more, +Irene is crazy about him. Now, ain't that cause +for trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't see what that has got to do with +this party. He is here and so is Irene, but that is +no cause for trouble—surely she wouldn't come +up here and start trouble," reasoned Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Which proves conclusively that you don't know +Negro Noche."</p> + +<p>"You might add that I don't want to."</p> + +<p>"Well—well, hello, Henry, you devil—I +thought you went home to your wife every night," +said Evelyn, as a bartender she knew came into +the bathroom.</p> + +<p>"Well," laughed Henry, "She can't say nothing +if I don't get through work in time, and get +locked on this side of the river, can she?"</p> + +<p>"Not unless you pull that gag once too often—here, +have a drink," as she offered him the bottle.</p> + +<p>"Well, Pearl, what do you think of the party?" +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +asked Henry, as he turned to Pearl, who was looking +out into the other room, trying to see Harry.</p> + +<p>"Henry, my darling, since you inquire, I think it +is the most charming affair—in fact, I've never +been on a party where so little self-consciousness +was present—in plain English, it is the damndest +thing I've ever seen—let's drink to it," as she +raised her bottle and clinked it against his.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The phonograph in the adjoining room had +stopped, but everyone was singing instead. Everybody +had joined the first couple in the rhumba, +making the scene more hilarious by not having +any clothes on at all.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>"Hi, baby," said Harry, as he staggered into +the bathroom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harry, I'm glad you came. I was afraid +you might change your mind," said Pearl, happily.</p> + +<p>"Where you are concerned, baby, I never +change my mind—let's have a drink."</p> + +<p>"Come on, Henry," said Evelyn, "Let's leave +these two in here. It's plain to be seen they don't +need us."</p> + +<p>"Ev, you're a damn good mind-reader," said +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +Harry. "Here, take a couple more bottles with +you, so you won't have to bother us."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, I'll just do that little thing," as she +took two extra bottles.</p> + +<p>"Ah, baby—I want you so," said Harry, as he +pulled Pearl to him and smothered her with kisses. +"Come on, let's undress and go in the next room +and join the dance."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Harry, I've never done anything like +that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, baby—baby—don't you trust me? Have +another drink."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but—"</p> + +<p>"No buts," said Harry, as he began to unfasten +her dress. "Come on, I'll help you undress +and then you have to help me."</p> + +<p>"Harry—please—I don't really want to undress."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +"You see—you see—you don't love me, that +proves it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes I do, Harry—I like you so much, but +I can't see where my undressing could have anything +to do with it."</p> + +<p>"That just proves it—proves it right there—you +don't care a thing about me."</p> + +<p>"Harry, if you were sober you wouldn't do a +thing like this. I'm not sober by any means myself, +but I don't want to undress."</p> + +<p>"You see—you just want to spoil my whole +night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right—if my stripping will make you +happy, I might as well strip—give me that bottle. +I'll have to get a little drunker to enjoy this—here +goes," as she put the bottle to her mouth, +taking long, big swallows.</p> + +<p>"Atta girl—I knew you would be a good +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +scout," as he tried to help her get her dress off +over her head.</p> + +<p>Pearl took off her dress, laid it over a chair, +took off her step-ins, laid them with her dress, +keeping only her shoes and stockings on.</p> + +<p>"Oh, gee, baby—you sure look good to me—I'm +just crazy about you."</p> + +<p>"All right—you keep your word—you undress, +too."</p> + +<p>"Sure, I'll undress," said Harry, as he started +to take off his pants, shirt, and underwear, and +laid them on the chair with Pearl's things, standing +before her in only his shoes and socks.</p> + +<p>"Let's have a couple more drinks, Harry, darling—you +know, I believe I'm going to enjoy this +after all."</p> + +<p>"I know I am," as he put his huge arms around +her cool, pink body.</p> + +<p>"Well—so help me—what the Hell is coming +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +off here?" said Evelyn, as she came into the bathroom, +her face blank in wonderment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jees—this is great—let's have a drink," +said Henry, as he came in behind Evelyn. "You +know, Ev, we might as well join the merry, mad +gang—what do you say?"</p> + +<p>"I dare you, Henry," answered Evelyn, as she +started to strip with speed.</p> + +<p>Pearl, in Harry's arms, leaped into the milling, +singing, drinking, wrestling mob, in the semi-dark +room, held tight in each others' arms, naked +bodies rubbed against each other, strangers kissed +passionately, lovers kissed more passionately, enemies +kissed less passionately, but kissed—in their +drunken orgy they had forgotten what they were +enemies about—couples who had been dancing +longer than the others fell on the floor, locked in +each others' arms, their legs stuck grotesquely in +the air above them, while their burning wet lips +were pressed tightly against each others' mouths, +stopping only long enough to take a drink.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +A shriek from the bathroom—Evelyn and +Henry leaped into the mob, naked as the rest—"Shake +it up, baby," screamed Evelyn, as she and +Henry in a tight embrace started singing and dancing +with the rest; as the other couples fell to the +floor newer and fresher couples joined the throng—only +to fall later on the floor, to continue the +party with mad, wet kisses, and—?</p> + +<p>"My snow-white darling, I have love you so +veer long, I weel never love but you—I have +never love no one but you—only you—my darling—my +darling—" came a soft voice near Pearl's +ear, and as she looked closely, she saw it was the +tall, handsome Moros, with the blonde Irene in +his arms.</p> + +<p>"Get your Goddam foot out of my face," yelled +a drunken voice.</p> + +<p>"My humble pardon, Senor—I am looking for +some one," answered the deep, sober voice of a +Mexican woman.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +"Why the Hell don't you turn on the light, then?"</p> + +<p>"That, Senor, is a veer good idea," as she returned +to the door and snapped on a flood of +bright, red light.</p> + +<p>Couples that were still on their feet, stopped +dead still. Couples that were on the floor, stopped +whatever they were doing—all looking towards +the door, where the Mexican woman was standing, +her hand still on the light button. Not a +soul moved.</p> + +<p>Negro Noche stood motionless—her pock-marked +face covered with a heavy layer of snow +white powder that is typical of all Mexican +women. Eyes gleaming, breathing heavily, she +pulled a heavy, dark-blue, 45-calibre automatic +from under her dirty coat, as a grim smile broke +the death-like mask that was her face. Six shots +rent the dead silence. Juan and Irene lay in each +others' arms, just as they had a few minutes before, +but they knew it not. Negro Noche had +accomplished her purpose—her lover and her +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +rival were to annoy her no more—the gun silent +in her hand, finger still on the light button, a +blue wisp of smoke rose from the end of the gun, +as the blood from the two bodies rapidly spread +on the cheap, worn carpet—pandemonium broke +loose.</p> + +<p>Pearl ran into the bathroom to get her clothes—Evelyn +was already there—"My God, what +will we do?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"This ain't no time to sing Frankie and +Johnnie—don't wait to put your clothes on—run +for it," answered Evelyn, as she grabbed Pearl +and started for the hall.</p> + +<p>Women were screaming, crying—men were +yelling and cursing, running up and down the +hall, some too excited to realize that they had on +no clothes—others just running around in circles.</p> + +<p>As Evelyn and Pearl came to the stairs, Guts +was on his way up. He started to ask Evelyn and +Pearl what had happened, but they brushed by +and on down the stairs. As they rounded the +sec<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>ond +floor, they saw Mickey Finn on her hands +and knees looking through a key-hole.</p> + +<p>"My God, Mickey," said Evelyn, excitedly, +"Don't waste no time—get out of here quick."</p> + +<p>"What's happened—what was all them shots?" +as she rose off her knees and came to them.</p> + +<p>"Negro Noche—shot Juan and Irene—don't +waste a minute—we have got to get on the U. S. +side somehow."</p> + +<p>They all three ran down the stairs into the +lobby, and out the front door, onto the street.</p> + +<p>"Down the railroad tracks towards the bridge."</p> + +<p>"We can't cross that bridge," said Mickey.</p> + +<p>"I know it," answered Evelyn, "but it's dark +down that way, and we can put our clothes on—come +on," as they ran down the tracks.</p> + +<p>They stopped in the deep darkness and put +their clothes on.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +"Now, listen to me," said Evelyn, "I have a +plan. We will get back over on Lysol Lane, and +go in one of those all-night bars, and I'll telephone +to Tony, a taxi driver I know, where to meet us."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it will work?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"It's got to," said Mickey, as they started.</p> + +<p>"Now, you two stand around the corner—I'll +stagger in this dump, as though nothing had happened, +and use the phone."</p> + +<p>"Can't I go with you?"</p> + +<p>"No, you stay with Mickey—if they see all +three of us they will be sure to suspect something, +and I don't crave to get mixed up in this mess—stand +back there in the dark," as she put on her +best drunken smile and staggered into the place.</p> + +<p>"Hi, Senor—can a lady use your phone?"</p> + +<p>"Si, Senorita—right this way," he led her over +to the phone booth in the corner.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +"Gracia, Senor," as she went in and closed the +door, lifted the receiver—"El Paso operator, +please—Hello—El Paso operator—give me Main +Eight-Eight—Yeah—Hello, all-night taxi? Let me +talk to Tony. What—Oh, that's you, Tony? +Listen, get a load of this—this is Ev, you know—yeah—take +one of the plain cars you got there, +and cruise along the Smelter Road near the Southern +Pacific bridge, and look out for three of us. +No—no—no—it's not liquor—don't ask questions +over the phone—make it snappy—good-bye." +She hung up the receiver, and staggered +out of the booth. "Adios, Senor," as she went +out the door and around the corner, to Mickey +and Pearl.</p> + +<p>"I just heard the ambulance and the police +wagon going up the street," said Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Tony is going to meet us up on the Smelter +Road," said Evelyn. "We'll go down these side +streets until we get to the river, and then we'll +follow the levee on around to where it is only +about twenty feet wide, and about three feet deep. +I know the very place. We won't have any +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +trouble if we hurry—come on." So saying, they +started for the river, down dark alleys and side +streets, of which there are plenty in Juarez.</p> + +<p>They stumbled on through the darkness, half +running, sometimes walking. "I'm sure I hear +someone following us," said Pearl, as they neared +the river.</p> + +<p>"Your life ain't worth two cents over here in +this section at this hour of the night," answered +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Let's run," said Mickey, as they started on +down the levee.</p> + +<p>"How far is this place you know about, Ev?" +asked Pearl, out of breath, as they slowed to a +fast walk again.</p> + +<p>"About a mile or more," answered Evelyn, +"But it's our only chance."</p> + +<p>It seemed like ten miles to the three, as they +ran stumbling through the darkness, when a flare +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +lit up the sky ahead of them to the right.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Thank Heaven, it's the smelter," said Mickey. +"We are almost there."</p> + +<p>"Here's the place I mean," said Evelyn, as she +pointed to a very narrow place in the river. "Now, +let's all take hands, and hold tight. The only +thing we have to be careful of is the quicksands—they +are as treacherous as Hell," as they started +to wade into the river.</p> + +<p>"Watch your step," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Jees—that water is cold—hold tight to my +hand, Pearl, and don't let go," said Mickey, as +she took hold of Pearl, who was in the middle.</p> + +<p>"We are in the midst of a lot of quicksand +here—I can't seem to find bottom any further +than I am standing. Let go of me, Pearl, and I'll +wade around a bit and see if I can find a more +solid place."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +"Oh, God—now, Ev, don't do that. Don't let +go at all here in the water—we will all wade +together."</p> + +<p>"Hold tight, then, and we will wade up the +side here a ways, and maybe we will find more +solid bottom," as they started up the side of the +stream.</p> + +<p>Slowly they waded in until they were in about +five feet of the bank.</p> + +<p>"I think we are going to make it all right," +said Evelyn, as she was almost jerked off her feet +by Pearl falling to her knees in the water, and +Mickey went out of sight.</p> + +<p>"Hold on to me," gasped Pearl, "I've still got +hold of her—she is in a sand-hole," as she rose +to her feet, pulling Mickey's head above water, +helping her to get solid footing again.</p> + +<p>Evelyn reached back and took hold of Mickey's +free hand, and slowly they reached the bank and +climbed out on solid ground again.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +"Are you all right, Mickey?" came from Evelyn +and Pearl at the same time.</p> + +<p>"Yeah—I'm O. K., but I'd been a goner if +Pearl hadn't had a good hold on me. That hole +I fell in back there didn't have no bottom, at least, +I didn't feel any—My God, what a night," as +she stooped over and felt of her stockings to see +if her money was still there. "Yeah, I still got +my money, but I'll have to dry it, but wet money +is better than no money."</p> + +<p>"Listen—what is that I hear? It sounds—there +it is—somebody trying to catch another car—it's +the police siren and it's coming this way as +sure as you're born," said Evelyn, "I'll go up near +the road and see if I see anything of Tony. You +watch me and when you see me motion to you, +come a-running, because if we are caught at this, +it will be just too bad," as she started toward the +road.</p> + +<p>"Stoop down," said Mickey, "We will keep +low to the ground and go as close to the road as +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +we can, so we won't have far to run when Ev +motions."</p> + +<p>Bright lights came into sight, of a speeding car +coming from town, as Evelyn came up on the +edge of the road, and as the car came near her, +its brakes began to scream, as lights following it +came into view, with the shrieking of the police +siren.</p> + +<p>"Quick, get in," said the voice of a man, as +the car came to a stop. "The cops are wise."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jees, where are Pearl and Mickey?" as +she jerked the door of the car open.</p> + +<p>"Here," as they came alongside of Evelyn.</p> + +<p>Tony shifted the gears of the car, and was +moving, as the three pulled and helped each other +in, the other car nearing, with the siren screaming +louder and louder. Tony shot into the night. "Lay +down on the floor, girls, and get ready for the +ride of your life. If I can beat the cops to the +fork of the Mesa road, we have a chance—if not—we +are jail-house bound for some time to come."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +"What the Hell are we passing that's throwing +all that light," asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"It's some cement company," answered Evelyn, +as they went into darkness again.</p> + +<p>"Hey, Tony, how do you think they found out +about this?" asked Mickey.</p> + +<p>"One of them lousy telephone operators tipped +them off, that is the only way they could have +found out—the dirty fluzey."</p> + +<p>"Good God—I hope we get away from them +all right," murmured Pearl, as the car lurched and +shot through the deepening dark.</p> + +<p>"Are we leaving them behind yet, Tony?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet we ain't, not till we get off these +curves, but when we get on that straight stretch +of road, I'll leave 'em plenty far behind."</p> + +<p>"Hey, Tony," said Evelyn, as she got up on her +knees, with her hands on the back of the front +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +seat, "You don't think they could have sent a car +out on the Mesa road, maybe to head us off, do +you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, that's a chance we got to take, but I +don't think they would have had time even if +they had thought, which they probably didn't—but +I'll tell you something—we gotta leave that +bunch quick when we hit that straight piece of +road, if we don't they will try to shoot the rear +tires off. You girls stay on the floor, in case they +do shoot."</p> + +<p>"O. K., Tony," said Evelyn, as she got back +down on the floor.</p> + +<p>"Get ready, girls, we are coming to that straight +part," as the car fairly felt like it was leaving the +earth.</p> + +<p>"We must be doing seventy or more—at least, +if anything does happen while we are going this +fast, we won't have to worry about it, anyhow," +said Mickey, as she lay jouncing in her wet, +sloppy dress, covered with sand and mud.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +"I hope you don't take cold, Mickey. You know +you got your head wet. I was lucky, that's the +only thing I didn't get wet," from Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Well—" said Evelyn, "If them guys start +shooting at us, there'll be more water in the car, +and it won't have come from the river."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what became of Harry?"</p> + +<p>"I'll bet he ain't worrying about you," said +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"I don't know—at least, I hope he won't get +in jail."</p> + +<p>"Jail, Hell," said Mickey, "He came down them +steps ahead of you two, and I mean way ahead +of you. Them shots hadn't no more than stopped +when Harry come down so fast it would take +two people to see him, one to see him coming and +one to see him going."</p> + +<p>"What was that hit the car?" asked Evelyn, +as she raised up.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +"Just a bullet bouncing off—but they will have +to shoot fast now, I'm doing eighty—and what's +more, I'm leaving them behind. We will be fairly +safe in a minute or so, unless as you said, Ev—about +the other car on the Mesa road, and I don't +think we will have any trouble from that."</p> + +<p>"Damn, I hope not—I'd hate to have to sit in +jail with these wet clothes on," said Mickey.</p> + +<p>"I don't care much about setting in jail wet or +dry."</p> + +<p>"You two don't have to worry—Tony is a good +driver, and we got a good chance of getting away," +reasoned Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Well, suppose they start looking for us, to +question us?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Well—" said Evelyn, "Here's our story—this +goes for you too, Tony—Pearl, you stayed with +me tonight in my apartment—and you, Tony, you +stayed with Mickey, and remember, we all went +to bed about twelve-thirty, and don't let them jar +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +you loose from that story, so if we all tell the same +story, and stick to it, what can they do?"</p> + +<p>"Look what a break you're getting, Tony," +laughed Mickey, "You stayed with me tonight."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you are going to tell me now that I +owe you two dollars," laughed Tony, "But say—what +the Hell happened over there—a fight?"</p> + +<p>"Hell, no, I wish it had been only a fight—but +it wasn't—Negro Noche shot her boy friend and +Irene."</p> + +<p>"Jees, Ev, are they both dead?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—they never knew what hit them."</p> + +<p>"No wonder you were so anxious to get back +on this side tonight."</p> + +<p>"How soon before we reach that Mesa fork, +Tony?" asked Mickey.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +"In just a few minutes now—look back and see +how close those lights are."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Hell," answered Evelyn, as she looked out +the back of the car. "They are damn near out of +sight, Tony."</p> + +<p>"Good—we'll make it all right now—hold tight +back there—I'm making the turn—we are nearing +the fork." The screaming of rubber on the +concrete, as the big car turned the corner on two +wheels. "Now, you girls can get on the seat and +rest a bit, instead of laying on that floor, all +crowded up."</p> + +<p>"Another night like this and I'll swear off for +good," said Mickey, as she sat up on the seat.</p> + +<p>"Swear off what?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Well, off booze, for one thing."</p> + +<p>"You swore off once before, didn't you?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +"Yeah—and that very night I was arrested in +El Paso for Vag."</p> + +<p>"How long was you off liquor?"</p> + +<p>"Till I got out of jail."</p> + +<p>"How long was that?"</p> + +<p>"Two hours."</p> + +<p>The car was moving at a terrific rate of speed, +up grade, and down grade. "See if you see any +lights coming behind us," said Tony.</p> + +<p>"We won't be able to tell until you reach the +top of the next grade, but I'll keep a sharp look-out," +answered Evelyn, as she turned half around +in the seat.</p> + +<p>"Just think," said Pearl, "This time last night +I was on this road about this time, but how different +it was."</p> + +<p>"Well, I've been on this road plenty of times, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +and no two times have been alike," answered +Mickey.</p> + +<p>"There's lights coming, Tony, but they are a +long ways back, and it may not be the police car, +anyhow."</p> + +<p>"O. K., Ev, but I'll just keep moving pretty +fast."</p> + +<p>"Listen, Ev, will you come over and stay with +me tonight?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't want to spend the rest of the +night alone—will you?"</p> + +<p>"Sure."</p> + +<p>They came into the city limits, but there was +no sign of trouble. Tony slowed down to an ordinary +speed, so as not to attract attention.</p> + +<p>"Listen—" said Mickey, "Why don't you two +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +come and spend the night at our place—we have +a furnished house, five rooms, three bedrooms, +living-room, kitchen, and all that goes with it—you +know the place, Ev, that little brick house me +and Betty rented out on Myrtle Avenue. What +do you say?"</p> + +<p>"Whatever Pearl says is all O. K. with me," +answered Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have something to drink out there."</p> + +<p>"Good," said Pearl, quickly. "We'll go."</p> + +<p>"Hey, Tony, you know where my joint is, don't +you?"</p> + +<p>"I should, by this time. I've took you there +enough—when you was so lit you didn't know +where it was yourself."</p> + +<p>They arrived at Mickey's place in a few minutes, +and it was just as Mickey had described it, +and very tastily furnished in pinks and blues, with +a faint odor of incense in the still, cool air.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +"Come on in, Tony, and have a drink," as the +girls got out of the car.</p> + +<p>"O. K."</p> + +<p>They went into the rooms, snapping on the +lights, then all heading for the kitchen by instinct. +Pearl called Evelyn aside—talking in low tones, +as Mickey got out the bottle of whiskey and set +it on the table.</p> + +<p>"Help yourself, Tony, while I see what the +conference is about."</p> + +<p>"What do you think?"</p> + +<p>"What do I think about what?"</p> + +<p>"About how much to pay Tony for his trouble +tonight," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Well," from Pearl. "If it hadn't been for him, +I don't know what we would have done, and I +think we should at least give him ten dollars +apiece—what do you think?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +"It's all right by me, and here's my ten to prove +it," as she dug the wet money out of her stocking.</p> + +<p>Both Evelyn and Pearl dug into their clothes +from the neck, and produced the ten apiece.</p> + +<p>"Tony," said Evelyn, as she turned to where +he was standing, "Will thirty bucks be all right +for your trouble tonight?"</p> + +<p>"Ah—nuts. Pay me my regular three bucks +and forget about the rest. You have to work +pretty hard for that money, and what's more, I +got a real kick out of that run tonight."</p> + +<p>"The Hell you say," from Pearl. "You take +this dough—what do you think we are? I admit +I'm new down here, and you are a good scout, +but you ain't no friend of mine if you don't take +this," as she handed the money toward him.</p> + +<p>"Girlie, you're a good scout, and I tell you +what I'll do. If it will make you feel any better, +I'll take it—but remember this—when you want +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +anything from me, or want me to take you any +place or do anything for you, and you ain't got +the dough—call me, and any time you need some +dough yourself—I know you girls run short lots +of times—don't forget—call me. Now, I'll be going," +as he took his cap and started for the door.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye," from all three girls.</p> + +<p>"If I hear anything, I'll give you a ring on the +phone and tip you off," as he closed the door +behind him.</p> + +<p>"Hell's Fire. Give me a drink, quick," said +Evelyn, as she began to undress where she stood. +"I've seen funny sights, but I would have loved +to have been a bystander and seen us three wading +across that river. It wasn't funny then, but +Mickey, when you come up out of that water, I +almost broke down, as dark as it was down there, +you was funny looking—" laughingly.</p> + +<p>"It's a damn good thing Pearl had as good +hold on me as she had, or I'd been a goner."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +"Do you think there will be much of a stink +about this killing? You know, Irene is an American +citizen, and she was shot on the Mex side," +said Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Well—" said Evelyn slowly, "You can't tell +just what will come of this. The real trouble will +come from Juan Moros' people, if there is any +trouble at all. His old man is a political power +down in that country—"</p> + +<p>"That shows what you know about it," said +Mickey bitterly. "When anything happens to an +American outside of the U. S., it's just too bad. +When trouble starts down here the American +Consul is the first one to run for the bridge. Our +government figures that if you are out of your +own country, that's your business—and it's your +business to protect yourself. Look at Nicaragua, +Panama, Haiti, as well as our nearby Mexico. +When anyone of our American citizens are +knocked off, said government sends a note of apology +to our Consul, saying they are sorry—but +that don't bring your life back. Believe me, if +you are an American, and you're in some other +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +country, my advice is to keep your mouth shut, +or affect an English accent."</p> + +<p>"Well, surely they will do something with that +woman that did the shooting," argued Pearl.</p> + +<p>"But my God, Ev, she killed one of her own +people, and in cold blood."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear—he was a Mex, all right, but when +she tells the Mex judge how he broke her heart, +and how she found him in the arms of a milk-white +Gringo—it's a ten-to-one shot that the judge +will weep for her broken heart, and tell her that +she has done her country a favor—in shooting a +cur that would so scorn his own countrywoman."</p> + +<p>"Well, you said that there might be trouble +from his people, that his father was a big Mex +politician."</p> + +<p>"Well, in that case, if his father isn't tied up +at the present in some revolution of his own, he +may come here—or send one of his loyal men, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +cut Negro Noche loose from some of her vital +spots."</p> + +<p>"I've been on some hot parties, and I've seen a +lot of things happen, but tonight takes the prize," +mused Pearl.</p> + +<p>"There's not much of the night left," said +Mickey. "Let's get to bed and sleep a little of +this off."</p> + +<p>"Pearl, didn't I hear you say you had a date +with Big Boy this afternoon—to go swimming?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—he asked me, and you, too, Ev."</p> + +<p>"Are you going?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, might as well. I can't lose nothing—I'll +get up around noon and go over to the room, and +wait for him."</p> + +<p>"You'll probably find him at the room waiting +for you, if I know anything about men, and if I +don't know anything about 'em, there ain't nobody +who does. Where did Mickey go?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +"I'm in bed," came from one of the bedrooms. +"You two pick out the bed you want to sleep in +and go to it when you are ready. Good night."</p> + +<p>"Good night."</p> + +<p>"Say, I'm ready to turn in now, are you, +Pearl?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—let's have another little drink before +we go to bed."</p> + +<p>"That's my idea, too—a drink—and a big one," +said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Ev—when I made up my mind to come +down here, I only had one thought in mind, and +that was to stay a little while and make some +money, and get away while I could—you know +what I mean, to get—well, to get away before it +got me—do you know what I mean?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, Kid, I know what you mean, only you're +too damn nice to say it for fear of hurting my +feelings. You mean to get away before you get +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +like me—and Mickey—and that gang you were +with tonight."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't quite mean it like that—I +mean—"</p> + +<p>"Listen, honey, I know just how you feel—I +only hope you can do what you want to. When +I came down here, I had the same idea, but I let +this damn place get me. Now I couldn't leave it, +no matter how hard I tried. I guess the only way +I'll ever leave it is in a box."</p> + +<p>"I don't quite know what to do. I'm kind of +puzzled since tonight—the party, the shooting, +and all. Maybe I've had a little too much to +drink—or not enough—I—I—well, I ought never, +never think, nobody should ever think, especially +about the past—Oh, well, let's have another +drink."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you could be bothered with Big Boy, +you could feather your nest for good—honey, that +means an awful lot these days—not having to +worry about the rent, not having to put up with +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +men that you hate the sight of, especially when +you have to be nice, to make the lousy two dollars +that they hand out grudgingly, and think +that they are doing you a good turn—but, of +course, if you can't go him—well, what's the use +to try?"</p> + +<p>"I've been thinking about that myself—and I'm +afraid it wouldn't work out. First, I don't care +a thing about him, and he would be so jealous +of me my life wouldn't be safe, if he caught me +talking to anyone else, and knowing what I've +been, if he ever got mad at me he would be sure +to throw it up to me—and I'm afraid I couldn't +stand that."</p> + +<p>"Well, if I'm not mistaken, you do care for +somebody else, don't you? And if my guess is +right—it's Harry, ain't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—you're right, all right, it's Harry. He +don't even know my name, and I don't know a +thing about him, but Jees, how I love that kid—Ah, +nuts, one would be as bad as the other; I +would be so jealous of Harry every time he was +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +out of my sight for five minutes, I'd think he was +with some other woman, and what's more, I'd be +right—second, he is not the marrying kind, that +is, he don't marry my kind—that's damn certain. +Ah—to Hell with both of them, I'll take 'em all +on that's got the price. What the Hell am I mooning +about? Let's have another drink."</p> + +<p>"O. K., we will have another drink, but Pearl, +you are only fooling yourself—you may say to +Hell with them for now, but when you get up +today, you will feel different about them. I know—I've +said the same thing every night for the +past five years. You can't settle it like that—if +it were only possible to settle one's feelings like +that it would make a lot of difference in people's +lives—tomorrow you will go on thinking you can +see Harry every night, and how you can chisel +Big Boy at the same time, without the other being +positive of just what you are doing—Honey, I +know what I'm talking about. Five years ago, +when I came to this border, I was the toast of the +town—I know I don't look it, but I was sure a +looker in those days, and I had my way any time +I wanted it—but I was just like you—I was going +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +to make a pile of dough, and make a getaway +while I could, and marry some good, honest, quiet +guy that would never suspect me of having been +what I was. Yeah—I was foolish, but—I guess +we are all foolish like that at times—Oh, God, if +I could only call back those five years, what +wouldn't I give, but what's the use, I've drawn +my own cards, it's up to me to play them. You +say you want to get out of this—then you take +the money you have, and what I've got, and you +catch the first train—don't wait—don't wait for +anything—most of all, don't wait for your own +thoughts to catch up with you—just go and go +quick, but you won't—what's the use—Oh, +what's the use."</p> + +<p>"You're right, Ev, what's the use? But there's +one thing—I'm going to do the thing I originally +planned; I'm one Hooker that's going to get the +dough and make the getaway. I'm going to do +just what you suggested—I'm going to see Harry +every time I can, and I'm going to get all I can +off Big Boy—come on, let's get some sleep."</p> + +<p>"Honey, I'm for you hook, line and sinker. I'll +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +also take the bottle and put it under the pillow +in case I wake up thirsty."</p> + +<p>"You know, Ev, I've only known you for a +little over twenty-four hours, but it seems I've +known you for years, and you're a damn good +scout—good night."</p> + +<p>"Good night, kid," said Evelyn, as she took a +nip from the bottle.</p> + +<p>They went to bed, to sleep the sleep of the just, +and the hours slipped by as though they were +seconds, until—</p> + +<p>"My God, what is that, a fire alarm?" asked +Evelyn, as she raised up in bed.</p> + +<p>Pearl was still sleeping.</p> + +<p>"It's that damn phone," growled Mickey, as +she stumbled to it. "Who the Hell could be calling +at this time of night—or day? Hello—what +do you want? What? Oh, it's you, Tony—what's +up? Oh, yeah, have they been able to trace the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +car, do you think? Do you think they will trace +you? Thanks, Tony, I'll see you later," as she +hung up.</p> + +<p>"What's up," yelled Evelyn, from the bed.</p> + +<p>"Well, for one thing, there's headlines in the +papers about the shooting last night, and Tony +said the police were down there this morning, and +questioned everybody on the place, and the boss +lied and said that Tony hadn't left the place between +twelve and six this morning. He says he +don't know if they suspect him or not, and the +police said there was only one woman in the car—so +they must be all balled up—what do you +think?"</p> + +<p>"What's all the trouble, and what time is it?" +said Pearl, as she raised up in bed.</p> + +<p>"It was Tony called," answered Evelyn. "What +time is it, Mickey, or is your time-piece working?"</p> + +<p>"It's one-thirty," called Mickey from the +kitchen.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +"Oh, good Heavens, I must get to the room, I +don't even remember what time I had the date +with Big Boy."</p> + +<p>"It don't matter what time you had the date +with him—he'll wait if you are late," from Evelyn, +as she climbed slowly out of bed. "Oh, my, +I'll never be the same. I'm so stiff I can hardly +stand up."</p> + +<p>"You spent all of last night getting that way," +said Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Getting how?"</p> + +<p>"Getting stiff."</p> + +<p>"I know, Mickey dear, but the stiff I mean is +not the kind of stiff you mean."</p> + +<p>"You better be careful, Ev," said Pearl. "You +might catch pneumonia from being in that river."</p> + +<p>"You are wrong there—the only thing you will +catch from being in that river is hydrophobia, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> +I think I had that when I was a virgin," laughed +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Good Heavens, Ev," said Mickey, "Was you +ever a virgin?"</p> + +<p>"Well, there has always been a doubt in my +mind about that—you see, if I ever was—it's been +so long ago my memory fails to recognize the +fact."</p> + +<p>"It must be grand to be a virgin," from Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Yeah—but think of the fun you miss," said +Mickey. "I sure remember the time I stopped +being a virgin, and do I remember the one who +put a stop to it!"</p> + +<p>"What was he like?" asked Pearl. "And—what +was you like?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I was a big, green, corn-fed country +girl, in the corn and Bible belt in Kansas, wasn't +hard to look at (of course, that's before I had all +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +these scars on this pan of mine)—and the guy—was +the son of the rural mail carrier, who had just +come out of the Navy, and what he knew was +plenty, and I had always read what devils sailors +were with the women—I guess I was just as curious +as he was ambitious. Come on in the kitchen +and I'll put the coffee on the stove, and finish my +confession."</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, make that coffee strong—I +sure need it," said Evelyn, as she and Pearl followed +Mickey in the kitchen, and sat down at +the table. "Oh, I forgot—I'll get the cups and +saucers," as she rose from the table and went to +the cupboard.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead with that dirty story you started to +tell us," said Pearl. "One of my pet weaknesses is +the true story of How, Why, and Where Trollops +like us three came from, and what caused it."</p> + +<p>"Well, as I was saying, I was as green as they +come, and I had already spurned, so to speak, the +advances of the hired hand, which he made to me +one day in the barn. We drove to church as +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +usual on Sunday, in the Goddamndest rig you +ever saw, a buckboard buggy with two horses. +Dad and Mother sat in the seat, and me, being +the only child, I stood up in the back and held on +to the seat, and there I was, with my skirt and +underskirts and drawers starched so stiff that +when I sat down it sounded like somebody breaking +macaroni in a cooking pot, hair done up in the +latest, two big buns over each ear—when I look +back at that now, I have all I can do to keep from +screaming with laughter at the way I must have +looked. Well, I was introduced to Jerry at the +church, and he asked me if he could take me home +in his buggy—that is, it was his old man's buggy +that he had borrowed for the purpose. Mother +and Dad thought it would be lovely if he drove +me home, so they went on ahead when church +was over, and left me with Jerry. Of course, him +having been places and seen and done things, I +was a pushover for him. When I look back at it, +I must have been a panic. He drove off the main +road, and said we should tie the horse, and go +for a lovely walk under the trees. I was timid at +first, as we sat on the ground under an old pine +tree. He kissed me, and I wasn't so keen on it, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +then he took me in his arms, and it done something +to me, and I came right back at him. In my ignorance +I decided that I would show him that us +country girls was just as up to date as any of +those girls he met in foreign countries, and I +stopped at nothing—well, that was the memorable +time when I stopped being a virgin."</p> + +<p>"I bet that was a sight," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"And how," from Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Ah, damn, that coffee would boil over—hey, +Ev, get the cream out of the ice-box, will you?"</p> + +<p>"I'll get it," said Pearl, as she rose from the +table. "You haven't told us what happened after +that afternoon."</p> + +<p>"There's not a lot more to tell. Jerry got an +awful crush on me, so I thought—he came after +me every evening or so, and took me for a drive—and +a walk, as well, and three months after +that first Sunday afternoon I began to blow up +like somebody had been using a bicycle pump on +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +me, and then Jerry decided to re-enlist—which he +did do, without even saying good-bye—shortly +after that my father found out all the dirt, and he +literally put his foot against my dainty behind, and +kicked me out, that being the proper thing to do +to a wayward daughter in the Bible belt, and me, +I went from bad to worse, and then to Kansas +City—and by that time I had learned to step, and +did I use to burn Twelfth Street up. I'd start at +the old Gaiety Theatre, on 12th and Wyandotte +Street, and on down 12th to McGee Street, then +back on the other side of the street. Sometimes +I'd be a long time making the round, but I made +the money. That was in the days when Kansas +City was good—a girl could easily make twenty +bucks in a night of hard labor, besides what you +could roll a guy for when he went to sleep—but +eventually the police gave me the works in the +form of a floater out of town, and I floated to +Denver. Boy, Oh boy, will I ever forget Denver? +Many's the pair of heels I wore off on Curtis +Street and many's the dollar I've earned there—and +from there to many places, till I arrived here, +and this will probably be my finish—but what the +Hell, drink your coffee."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +"In that case, you blame the cause of your—well—the +cause of this life, on a man, then," from +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"I can't say I do—I'm what I am because I +wanted to be—I need men. When I went to +Kansas City, I could have found a job of some +kind, and worked like thousands of girls do, but +I didn't want to. I've never wanted to be what +is called decent. I think that a life like that would +be damn slow, and it's not in my nature to live +like that. I love all this excitement—all this uncertainty, +and most of all, I could never be true +to one man, because—well, because when I see a +man that arouses my interest, I could never resist +the impulse to satisfy my curiosity, so—what good +would I be with a husband—I'd only make the +poor guy miserable, or else cause him to kill me—I +know me, like no one else does."</p> + +<p>"You are right there, Mickey," said Pearl. "No +girl ever went the wrong way unless she wanted +to—she may cry and say that a man made her +what she is, and that she would never have been +so unless some man tricked her—but down deep +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +in her heart she wanted to be what she is. No +girl was ever really raped—unless she helped the +process along a little. The girls who have been +raped, and really in their hearts didn't want to +be, were the only ones that have been found dead, +after an awful fight. No man can really rape a +girl who doesn't want to be raped just a little. +I know from actual experience."</p> + +<p>"You're both right," said Evelyn, as she +reached for the coffee pot, for her second cup of +coffee. "This coffee hits me right where I sit this +morning—it sure tastes good."</p> + +<p>"Well, I gotta get dressed and start for town. +I gotta date with Big Boy, but I can't for the life +of me remember what time it was for. What are +you going to do tonight, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose I'll do the usual thing—go over the +bridge."</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose there will be anything said +to us about last night?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +"I don't see how they can say anything—we +weren't caught doing anything, and there's no +proof that we were mixed up in that mess, and +we weren't caught coming over the border, so—what +can they say?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—I guess you're right at that—well, I'll +see you later," as she started for the door.</p> + +<p>"But where?" called Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what—you come over to my hotel, +Ev, about six o'clock. How is that, and we'll go +to supper—oh, by the way, Mickey, what are you +doing tonight—the usual thing?"</p> + +<p>"Sure—the usual thing, but I'll see you over +on the other side," answered Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll be over at your hotel at six," said +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"O. K., Ev, see you then—and thanks, Mickey, +for the hospitality. So long," as she closed the +door behind her.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +"That girl's sure a real good scout, Mickey—it's +too bad that she has got to go the route."</p> + +<p>"Let's have a little drink—what do you say, +Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Quick."</p> + +<p>"Say, Ev, where did you meet Pearl?"</p> + +<p>"On the car the other night—and right away +that Big Boy falls head over heels for her in a big +way, and wants to marry her, and she can't see +him—but—she is nuts over Harry Hicks—ain't +that something to tie your bowels in a knot?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jees, Harry will do to her what he has +done to all the rest that's come his way—he will +get tired of her as quick as the rest, and then I +suppose she will grieve, and go on the usual drunk, +to forget it. I don't know what it is about that +guy that makes these girls go for him like they +do."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +"Yeah—and look at the dough she could get +from that big guy."</p> + +<p>"I sure wish I could get my hooks into that +Big Boy for a couple of days, but he won't even +give me a tumble," as they went on sipping their +coffee.</p> + +<p>When Pearl arrived at her hotel, she found Big +Boy sitting in the lobby, with a sour expression on +his face, which brightened when she came in.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Big Boy," said Pearl, "Did you think +I was going to stand you up?"</p> + +<p>"No—I forgot what time our date was for, so +I came at noon, and they said you hadn't been +in all night. Where have you been?"</p> + +<p>"Well—now, is that nice, to ask me where I've +been, and what do you care where I've been? I'm +here for our date, am I not? Isn't that enough? +Come on up to the room, while I get dressed for +wherever it is we are going?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +Big Boy followed Pearl into the elevator and +to her room, without saying a word. When she +closed the door, then he turned to her, face red +with anger.</p> + +<p>"I know where you've been—look at that dress—I +know you was one of the women who waded +the river last night. I suppose you went and spent +the night with the guy that helped you across."</p> + +<p>"Listen, Big Boy, what ever gave you the notion +that you had the right to question where I've +been, and who I've been with? Get a load of +this—there is no man, woman or child that has +a right to talk to me like that, see—so don't you +try it."</p> + +<p>"Well, what was you doing in Juarez that you +couldn't have come across the bridge before +twelve, and why was it so necessary for you to +come back over here that you would take the +chance of wading the river to get here?"</p> + +<p>"I—I—well—I just didn't make the bridge, and +I—well, I was afraid to stay over there all night."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +"You're lying like Hell, and you know it. You +was on that party last night at the Rio Bravo—" +as he came over to where she was standing.</p> + +<p>"I was invited over there, but I didn't go," +said Pearl, timidly.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," lied Pearl.</p> + +<p>"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, nobody else will—I +mean it."</p> + +<p>"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 +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +soul. Well, you let go of me, and get out. Who +do you think you are?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, so that's the way you want it—well—what +I said goes—if I can't have you, there's no +other bastard will get you," as he punched her +in the eye.</p> + +<p>"Oh—help—help—you lousy tramp, get out of +this room," screamed Pearl. "God damn you, +don't think you can get away with that kind of +stuff with me."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jees—" sobbed Pearl. "It's too late, my +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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 shell out some dough +for this."</p> + +<p>"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 glass 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.</p> + +<p>A rap came on the door.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +"Come in," called Big Boy, as he got off the +bed, "Oh, hello, Doc—I want you to fix this eye +for Miss Jones—she had a little accident."</p> + +<p>The doctor walked over to the bed, stooped +over Pearl, and looked at her eye, already swollen +shut, and turning a deep blue.</p> + +<p>"That's a peach," said the doctor, "How did +you get it?"</p> + +<p>"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-knob," lied +Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's the first door-knob I've ever seen +that left knuckle prints," laughed the doctor, as +he went to work to fix the eye.</p> + +<p>"How long will it be black, doctor?" asked +Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Oh, about a week or so, and then it will be +as good as ever."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +"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.</p> + +<p>"Will I have to wear a bandage over the eye +until it gets all right?"</p> + +<p>"No, you don't have to wear a bandage at all, +unless you want to, but you know a bandage +covers a multitude of sins. You can say you got +a piece of glass in your eye, and that way you +won't have to stay in your room for a week until +it gets well."</p> + +<p>"Ah, gee, Doc, you're a peach, thanks," as she +got off the bed.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll be going now," as he gathered up +his things. "Next time tell your boy friend to +hit you some place it won't show," as he went +out the door.</p> + +<p>Pearl lay on the bed—there was nothing else +to do. Now she couldn't very well go to Juarez, +with her eye bandaged up. No matter what lie +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +she told, nobody would believe it. Maybe it was +just as well not to go over for a few days anyhow—let +some of the trouble of the shooting die down, +and that would be time enough, but she couldn't +stay in the room all that time—she would go +crazy. She arose from the bed, went to the phone, +and called Evelyn's apartment and left a message +for her to call as soon as she came in.</p> + +<p>The door opened slowly, as Big Boy came in, +loaded with candy and fruit and flowers.</p> + +<p>"My God, what all have you got there?" asked +Pearl, as she looked at him with the one good eye.</p> + +<p>"Some little things you might like, Pearl. You +can have anything you want, no matter what it is. +Will you please forgive me?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it will take a lot more than candy or +flowers to make me forget a sock like that."</p> + +<p>"Ah, gee, honey—you can have anything you +want—just name it. Let me get you a nice apartment, +and some clothes, open an account for +you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>—just +anything to show you I do really love you, +and I only want you to marry me—will you?"</p> + +<p>"No, I won't marry you—but I'll think about +the apartment and the other stuff you mentioned."</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's great—I gotta go now—I gotta +meet a guy on some business about the mine—I'll +be back tonight."</p> + +<p>"Aw—alright, go ahead—I'll be here when you +get back—you've seen to that, all right," as he +came over to kiss her—"Never mind kissing me—I'm +still mad."</p> + +<p>"I love you—can't you understand that," as +he took her in his arms.</p> + +<p>A rap came on the door.</p> + +<p>"Who's there," called Pearl.</p> + +<p>"It's me—Ev," came the voice.</p> + +<p>"Come on in."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +"My God—what's happened to you—your eye—what's +happened?" asked Evelyn, breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, it was like this," said Big Boy.</p> + +<p>"Never mind—never mind—I get it—she was +late for the date and you socked her for it—ain't +you the big bully?" said Evelyn, as she walked +over to Pearl.</p> + +<p>"I just lost my temper, and I didn't mean to."</p> + +<p>"You said you had to go—well, go ahead—I +want to talk to Ev."</p> + +<p>"Will you be here when I get back?" asked +Big Boy anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Yeah—she'll be here, all right, thanks to you—scram—" +answered Evelyn, as he went out the +door.</p> + +<p>"My God, this thing hurts," said Pearl, as she +put her hands to her head.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +"What happened?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we got into an argument about last night, +and he was furious, and just took a punch at me, +that's all."</p> + +<p>"Well, what was you saying?"</p> + +<p>"He wanted to know about last night—and I +was lying and trying not to tell him anything, and +he seemed to know that I was lying, so he gives +me the shiner."</p> + +<p>"Didn't I tell you about that guy—I told you +not to try to kid him, or lie to him. He is the +meanest louse that ever lived when he loses his +temper, and if you go ahead and play around with +him, you won't only get another black eye, but +you'll get a beating, and one that you will remember. +I know him, and I also know his reputation. +It's like I said—that guy is a killer, and if you go +on fooling with him, and he ever catches you +with Harry, he'll kill you as sure as you're born. +I'm not saying I told you so, or any of that stuff. +Heavens knows I know what it is to have a black +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +eye, and it's no fun, but remember what I'm saying—I +suppose he rushed out and bought this +stuff to get you to overlook the sock, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—that's what he bought it for, and he +also is going to get me an apartment, and some +new clothes—he said I could have anything I +want—"</p> + +<p>"Well, you better take sparingly, because, sister, +you will pay in the end. You let that guy go +do all that, and you don't stay true to him, it's +curtains for you—I'm telling you, because when +he finds you are hot for Harry, he'll go up in +smoke anyhow. He and Harry are the best of +friends, but they are rivals as well. I'm dying for +a drink—I'll bet you haven't got a drop around +here, have you?"</p> + +<p>"Look in the top dresser drawer—there's a full +bottle that hasn't been opened."</p> + +<p>"Thank Heavens—that's a life saver," as she +fished the bottle out of the drawer, and opening +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +it, took a long, deep drink. "Want one too, don't +you?</p> + +<p>"Might as well," said Pearl, as she raised up +and took the bottle Evelyn handed her.</p> + +<p>"Maybe I'm nuts, but I can't figure it out—here +is a guy that wants you to marry him, and +you can't see him for Harry. Ah, Hell—give me +another drink—the world's all haywire."</p> + +<p>"Hell, I'm not going to stay in this room all +day. I want to go out, at least for a little while. +I know, Ev—let's you and I go get an apartment—you +come with me and help me hunt."</p> + +<p>"Why go hunting apartments? If you really +want to be swell, then take an apartment in the +Hussman Hotel. They got the swellest in this +town, and there's no use taking anything but the +swellest, since Big Boy is going to pay the bill."</p> + +<p>"That's an idea—I'll do it—you are all wrong +about me taking sparingly—I might as well have +whole hog or none, because he won't figure that, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +in case there is a big showdown. If I have to pay +the price, I might as well make it worth while, +ain't I right?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—I guess you're right, at that, because +when he does start mopping the town up with +you, he won't figure what he has spent—he will +just figure you have been a louse, and you will +get it—and how!"</p> + +<p>"I'll change this dress and we will go," as she +started to strip again.</p> + +<p>"Gee, I'm sorry you won't be able to go across +the border tonight. I hate to go over there alone."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, you won't be alone—I'm not the +first Hooker that has sported a black eye in this +burg. I'm going over—to Hell with what that +crowd thinks. I've got a sucker on the string +that's not so bad, so let's have the fun while we +can. Give me that bottle, darling, I need it +badly."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +"Damn if you ain't the best pal I've had in a +long time, Pearl."</p> + +<p>"You ain't so bad yourself, Ev."</p> + +<p>They left the hotel, also a note on the door, +saying they would be back shortly, as they had +gone apartment hunting. They moseyed by the +Plaza, and over to the Hussman, where they +looked at apartments, which ended in Pearl taking +one.</p> + +<p>"This is some hot-looking joint," said Evelyn, +as she sat down, gorgeously putting on the Ritz, +"If I'm going to come up here to see you I might +as well start putting on the dog right now."</p> + +<p>"Come up and see me—you—you're going to +move up here with me."</p> + +<p>"Like Hell—I'll come up and see you, but I +ain't moving in here—I don't want to have to +jump out of one of these windows some night +when you and Big Boy have one of your grudge +fights—I'll stay where I'm at."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +"Come on, let's go back to the hotel, and I'll +get my things packed, and start to move—will +you help me?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, why not?"</p> + +<p>They went back to the hotel, and found Big +Boy waiting for them.</p> + +<p>"Did you find the kind of a place you want?" +he asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Did I? Did I? I went to the Hussman and +picked the best in the joint—is that all right?"</p> + +<p>"Right," he smiled, "And the best is none too +good."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to pack and move right now, Ev, +and you are going to help me."</p> + +<p>"No, you call the maid and let her pack your +things, and send them over. Here's a little present +I have for you," as he handed her a small +book.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +"Oh, that's wonderful—now I'll forgive you +for the black eye. Look, Ev, my own bank book, +and already a thousand dollars to check on—Ah, +gee, that's swell, Big Boy," as she gave him a +peck on the cheek for a kiss.</p> + +<p>"How would you and Ev like to go to a show +for the rest of the afternoon?" asked Big Boy.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't mind if I can have a few more +drinks before I go in," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"I'm all fixed for that," he answered, as he +took a pint out of his hip pocket.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you, Pearl, you kill a third, and you +kill a third, and I'll kill the rest. How's that?" +said Evelyn, as she took the bottle from Big Boy.</p> + +<p>"Why just the pint? I've a quart in the other +dresser—wait, I'll get it," as she went to the +dresser and took out a quart of Kentucky Bourbon.</p> + +<p>"Why not kill both?" suggested Evelyn.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +"Did you say you wanted to see the picture, +or just want to go in the theatre to sleep?" asked +Big Boy.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll get a bigger kick out of it, if we +are stiff; I know we will."</p> + +<p>"I've a better idea than that," said Pearl. "Let's +just kill the quart, then take the pint into the +theatre, and have a nip during the picture, huh, +what do you say?"</p> + +<p>"It don't matter where I drink it, as long as I +drink, let's get started—Big Boy, you drink first, +then you Pearl, then I'll knock the rest of it off," +suggested Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Oke," answered Big Boy, as he turned the +bottle up to his mouth, while deep gurgling +sounds came forth.</p> + +<p>The quart was finished, and all went to the +theatre, as Pearl left orders with the maid to pack +her things, and have them sent to the Hussman.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +The afternoon papers carried warnings to all +Americans that the long-expected rebellion in +Mexico had broken out in Durango, and that the +administration of Portes Gil, Mexico's President, +looked as though it were at an end.</p> + +<p>Portes Gil was at a loss—his troops could not +seem to do anything—there was only one thing +for him to do, and that was to recall ex-President +Calles, known as the Iron Man of Mexico, to help +in breaking the rebellion.</p> + +<p>Juarez, with its large garrison of soldiers, was +at a nervous tension, and the bar owners were +twice as nervous, not knowing how long the garrison +would be loyal to the Federals, as all that is +necessary to change their loyalty is to shoot the +commanding officers, and declare they were loyal +to the other side, which is so often the case when +the opposing side is much larger, or when there +is a little looting to be done.</p> + +<p>Fort Bliss, with its rows of beautiful two-story +brick houses for its officers, its large brick barracks, +housing its hundreds of men, and small, +newly built brick bungalows for its petty officers, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +its tremendous stables housing its hundreds of +horses, its enormous parade and drill grounds, +clean as a freshly swept floor, aroused from its +lethargy at the rumors of war. The men were +raring to be let loose to fight, anybody or anything, +as long as it promised excitement and fight.</p> + +<p>"It sure looks like a hot time in the old town +soon," said Evelyn, as she lay back and stretched +out on the beautifully appointed divan in Pearl's +new apartment.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute until I change the bandage on +this bum eye, and you can read the newspaper to +me," said Pearl, from the bathroom.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you leave the bandage off when +you are in the house? There's nothing you can +put on it now that will take the black out of it—just +leave it alone, and when you start to go out, +then stick the patch over it."</p> + +<p>"That's a good idea, I'll do it," as she sat down +in front of Evelyn. "Now, tell me more, what +the paper says about war."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +"The American Consul says in a statement in +the paper that he cannot be responsible +for American citizens who go over to Juarez just +to have a good time, and that only those who +have business and have to go over are the only +ones to go over—Well, in my business it's necessary +for me to go over—but you having a man +who has money, on the string, you don't have to +go over—but I can see by the expression in the +one good eye of yours that you will have important +business in Juarez—will you not, Miss +Jones?" said Evelyn, with mock elegance.</p> + +<p>"With all this excitement brewing I should stay +up here in the apartment, and act like a lady. +Now's the time to go over there and raise Hell—with +the revolution coming on, they will have +forgotten about the shooting, and will be so taken +up with other things, it will be as safe as ever, +if you can ever call Juarez safe."</p> + +<p>The telephone started ringing madly—"Who +the Hell can that be?" asked Pearl, as she went +to answer it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +"Hello—Oh, yeah—yeah, I hear you all right. +You have to go right now—well, when will you +be back?—Oh, gee, I'm sorry—well, is there anything +you want me to do?—sure, I'll be careful—will +you be safe in that territory? That is where +most of the fighting will be, so the paper says—Oh, +that's why you have to go down there—I +didn't get that last crack—come again—don't +mind if I go over to Juarez with Evelyn, and have +a few drinks, do you? I can go, but you would +rather I wouldn't? And have a drink whenever I +want, too—No, I'm not mad—why should I be +mad? But why should I go into the sisterhood +just because you will be out of town for a few +days? Oh, it might be weeks—well, you are going +of your own free will—nobody is making you +go—Oh, Hell, yes, certainly I've enough money +till you get back—yes, O. K., goodbye," as she +hung up the receiver.</p> + +<p>"What did I tell you?" said Evelyn. "He has +to go to the mine and wants you to be the sweet +and innocent one till he gets back—that guy is +so jealous of you he smells bad—what are you +going to do tonight?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +"Well, I was thinking it would be grand to go +over to Juarez, and before the bridge closes, bring +our own gang here for a party—what do you +think?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear—Harry will like your new apartment—you +ain't kidding me, I'm wise—and +what's more, I'm staying here myself tonight with +a boy friend—that is, if I can pick up one that is +young enough to come without his wheel chair."</p> + +<p>"All right—let's get started—wait till I put +the patch on the bum eye."</p> + +<p>"If anybody asks you how you got the eye, +what are you going to tell them?"</p> + +<p>"Tell them the truth—they won't believe it +anyhow."</p> + +<p>"I never thought of that before, and the way +I've worried over trying to think up a grand lie +to tell someone when, if you were to tell the +truth it would be just as good, because they would +never believe it, anyhow. That is a new idea, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +I won't have to think so much now—Hooray—let +us drink—Oh, damn it—there ain't no more +whiskey."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, dear, we will soon be in Juarez," +said Pearl, as she pulled the hat down over the +patch on her eye.</p> + +<p>"The way you have that hat on, you would +hardly notice that eye," remarked Evelyn, as she +arranged her dress.</p> + +<p>"Don't you worry, that herd of hawk-eyed +whores will see it long before I get there. Any +time some woman's man socks her in the eye, it +travels by mental telepathy—not that they have +any mental capacity, but even the most lowly animal +has instinct—therefore they would know it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, sister, thou speaketh the truth—thou wilt +be blessed," said Evelyn, lifting her hands to +Heaven, "Come, Juarez calleth."</p> + +<p>They boarded the Juarez-bound car, and as the +car stopped for the Customs and Immigration +offi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>cials +of Mexico to get on, more than usual boarded +the car, questioning everybody as to their reason +for going over the border,—the extra questioning +was because of the revolution having started.</p> + +<p>"For what reason, Senorita, are you going to +Juarez tonight?" one of the men asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"I'm going over to see a friend on business," +answered Pearl.</p> + +<p>"What manner of business, Senorita?"</p> + +<p>"About a job he promised me."</p> + +<p>"And you, Senorita Evelyn, why are you going +over tonight?"</p> + +<p>"Well—to be damn truthful, Senor, I'm going +over for a drink," answered Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"That is a very good reason, Senorita—Gratias!"</p> + +<p>The men moved slowly through the car, going +through every bundle and package, regardless of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +size, whether it be large or small, making men +stand up, and feeling them over for firearms, finally +leaving the car to ramble its way on to town.</p> + +<p>"My Heavens, they are particular tonight," said +Pearl.</p> + +<p>"They will be that way until the war is over, +and what good it does, I don't know," answered +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>Juarez, since the reports of the war, and the +warning for Americans to stay on their own side, +there were twice as many people in the bars as +there usually were at this hour of the evening. +They stayed on the car until they arrived at the +Lobby No. 2, where they got off the car, with +Pearl holding her head down so that no one might +see the black eye.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what Harry will say when he sees +my shiner?"</p> + +<p>"Black eyes are nothing new to Harry."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +They went into the bar—crowds were milling, +singing, talking, cursing and drinking to the war.</p> + +<p>"This is going to be another wild night over +here—I can see that already—come on, let's get +a drink, and then you can go in and see Harry."</p> + +<p>"O. K."</p> + +<p>"Well, for the love of Jees—what happened to +you?" asked Mickey, as she came up to Pearl. +"You needn't tell me—Big Boy—ain't I right?"</p> + +<p>"Right—what are you drinking, Mickey?" +asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Whiskey—but how did it happen, and when?"</p> + +<p>"Well, he is jealous of me—and he knew I was +lying about last night, and so—he took a sock +at me."</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's lousy."</p> + +<p>"Yeah—that's lousy, but she got returns at +once," said Evelyn. "She has already moved to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +the Hussman, and what an apartment—and then +the boy friend came in and handed her a bank +book all her own, with a grand for her to check +on—then he goes away tonight to the mine, and +Pearl is going to be true to him till he comes back—like +Hell."</p> + +<p>"Well, that calls for celebration," said Mickey, +as she drank her whiskey.</p> + +<p>"It does," answered Pearl. "I think we should +do it tonight, after the bridge closes—what do you +say?"</p> + +<p>"Good—I'll be there, but I ain't telling anyone +about it—you do your own telling—I might invite +someone you don't want—well, I got a date +to roll a guy—I'll be seeing you," as she went +into the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Mickey is a damn good scout," said Pearl.</p> + +<p>"She's regular," answered Evelyn.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +"Oh, listen—that's Harry singing—come on in +and let's sit at a table and see the show—I could +watch him all night."</p> + +<p>"You probably will—but he won't be singing."</p> + +<p>"Now, Ev, you shouldn't begrudge me a little +pleasure—at least Harry never gave me a black +eye."</p> + +<p>"No—and from all I hear, he ain't got much of +what you're crazy about, to give, either."</p> + +<p>"Do you believe all you hear, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't say that I do—but I have no +reason to doubt the rumor, unless you care to +enlighten me on the subject."</p> + +<p>"Well, darling, you use your imagination—and +sign my name to it."</p> + +<p>"Really."</p> + +<p>"Surest thing, Ev."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +"Don't tell me I've missed something."</p> + +<p>"I think you have."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's really too late now—all I can do is +be sorry."</p> + +<p>"You see, Ev—what I really like about Harry +is his—well, his way."</p> + +<p>"No—REALLY," said Evelyn, eyes wide.</p> + +<p>"That's what it is."</p> + +<p>"Well, I admit I've always suspected Harry."</p> + +<p>"What?" said Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing," smiled Evelyn, "But that calls +for another drink—waiter, whiskey, quick."</p> + +<p>"I'll have one, too—pronto."</p> + +<p>They drank the whiskey, and crowded their +way into the cabaret, and back near the band +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +stand, where they found an unoccupied table, that +commanded a good view of the show.</p> + +<p>"I'll be with you in a few minutes," said Harry, +as he passed their table.</p> + +<p>"Just a minute—Ladies and Gentlemen—I have +some news—I've been requested by the management +to read for your benefit," said Harry, as he +silenced the crowd, then continued reading from +a yellow piece of paper in his hand: "The Rebels +have taken Chihuahua City, and are organizing +more troops for the march on Juarez."</p> + +<p>The crowd was silent; not a sound or a word +for several minutes, then the sounds started, with +low whispers, then rose to the usual loud singing, +talking, dancing, still rising higher and noisier, +until the gaiety was at the point of hysteria.</p> + +<p>Mexicans stole sly glances at each other, some +very serious and worried, others not noticing or +caring that the rebels were going to march on +Juarez, and others wondering which side to stick +to, as the winning side is always the best, and if +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +the rebels had taken Chihuahua City, Juarez +would be nothing.</p> + +<p>Americans who ordinarily came over the border +every night to have their little drink and waste +a few hours, and go home practically as sober +as they came over, were drinking with the best of +the lot, as they knew that if the fighting was to +take place in the city, as it had done before, there +would be no chance to come over and have the +usual drink; therefore drink all that was possible +while the drinking was good; others, who remained +gentlemen, whether drunk or sober, were +making asses of themselves in huge form, and there +is nothing that can be so perfect an ass as an +American in a country other than his own, and +with a mind made up to show off; hence, hilarity +in its most violent form held sway for the rest +of the night, cars and drunken people so numerous +on the International Bridge it would be impossible +for the gates to be closed before at least one +o'clock, and the Customs and Immigration Officials +dared not close the bridge until those that +were dragging themselves and others were across, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +as it was possible that the Rebels would take a +train, or an engine with a caboose, and in one of +their moments of madness, which are many in the +Mexican temperament, and leave Chihuahua City +without the rest of the Rebel army, and just cause +enough for a fight, to kill some innocent bystander, +which is a known fact, that in a battle in Mexico +there are more people killed by accident than with +actual intent, as they are very bad shots, but if +they ever work up enough courage to come close +enough for a hand-to-hand fight, they either do it +with knives, or call the whole thing off and go +into the nearest bar, and have a drink. It is not +an unusual thing to see the Federal army and the +Rebel army call off the fighting for lunch and the +usual noon siesta, and a general get-together, and +congratulate each other on the bravery of the +things they have seen done, or have heard of. +Knowing this, and knowing that when the fighting +did start in Juarez, that there would be as +many bullets fall on the American side as on the +Mexican side, Fort Bliss had already stationed a +troop of men at the foot of the Santa Fe Bridge; +consequently, with all the ribaldry the bridge had +to be kept open until nearly two o'clock.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +Thrill seekers and tourists who were out to see +everything and experience everything, stayed in +Juarez that night, hoping to see some fighting and +have first-hand information to tell the folks back +in Kansas, or Ohio, just what it was like, and with +the usual intelligence, which isn't above that of a +stray cur, thinking it possible to witness a battle, +but expecting that, owing to the fact that they +were American citizens, that the Mexicans would +watch where they were shooting, and not a hair +on them would be harmed.</p> + +<p>Men whose wives in their drunken stupor +wanted to stay in Juarez; men with women that +they had picked up, but were too drunk to walk, +were thrown over their shoulders, and carried like +a bag of meal to the American side of the bridge; +drunken women helping women more drunk than +they, with the occasional leaning over the side of +the bridge to let off some of the last of the liquid +cargo they had taken on at the last bar.</p> + +<p>Pearl, Evelyn and Mickey were among the last +to come across, with Pearl and Mickey leading +Evelyn, who was too drunk to make it alone.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +"Ev, you should never get this drunk," said +Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Who are you, sister? I'll get as drunk as I +like," mumbled Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"What I'd like to know is how much she drank +to get this drunk. I've seen her kill a quart at a +time, and never phase her, but my God, she must +have got to a barrel this time," said Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Let go of me—I can walk alone," said Evelyn, +as she pulled away from them.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," said Evelyn, as she staggered to the +curb, vomiting down her entire front.</p> + +<p>"There she goes; now she will feel better as +soon as she gets some of that stuff out of her," +said Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Yeah—but we better hold her, she might fall," +but she was too late; Evelyn was already lying in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +the gutter. "What a sight she will be now—come +on, Mickey, let's get her up to my hotel—call a +taxi."</p> + +<p>Mickey called a car—they got Evelyn in, with +much trouble, and finally arrived at the Hussman.</p> + +<p>"My God, Pearl, what will they think—you +dragging her through the lobby looking the way +she does," as they were pulling Evelyn out of the +car, with the help of the driver.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I hope they let one crack +out of them—that will give me all the excuse I'll +need to wreck this joint without stalling."</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, girls," said the driver. "I'll +take her up like this," as he threw Evelyn over +his shoulder and started into the lobby.</p> + +<p>"I'll get her up there and put her to bed."</p> + +<p>"Don't you think, Pearl, that if you could get +some hot coffee down her it might make her come +out of it?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +"I don't know, but I'll try it—" as she said to +the bell-boy, "Bring me some hot coffee up here, +quick."</p> + +<p>"Are you going over to the States after we get +Ev to bed, Pearl? You know you've a date over +there with Harry."</p> + +<p>"Have I? I've been doing some heavy drinking +myself—I don't even remember it. Sure, we'll go +over there as soon as we give her some coffee."</p> + +<p>"Let's take her into the bathroom, and strip +her in there, and then put her to bed," said Pearl, +as she opened the door for them to enter.</p> + +<p>They took Evelyn in to the bathroom, the driver +holding her up while Pearl and Mickey stripped +her, clean to the skin; then the bellboy arrived +with the coffee.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute—I'll get a night-gown for her, +and then we will put her in bed, and pour some +of this hot stuff down her gullet. O. K., driver, +bring her in."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +He picked her up, and bringing her into the +room, laid her down, holding her head up, as he +took the cup out of Pearl's hand, and holding it to +Evelyn's lips, while the hot liquid brought moans +and groans from Evelyn—Pearl and Mickey stood +by to help.</p> + +<p>"Now, let's cover her up, and leave her alone +to sleep—she will be all right when we get back +from the cafe."</p> + +<p>Pearl turned the lights out, and down they +went, leaving Ev behind for the first time since +they had met.</p> + +<p>"Jees," said Pearl, "I feel lost without her—she +is sure some regular scout." As they got into the +car that had brought them from the bridge—"To +the States, driver."</p> + +<p>When they arrived at the States Cafe, the +height of the hilarity for the evening had passed, +for the less noisy crowd had settled down to black +coffee and food, to try and kill off some of the +liquor.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +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.</p> + +<p>"Hello, darling," as she sat down.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"No, I stayed on that side, at Dan's Hotel—they +know me. You see, lots of nights when I +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +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.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harry, you should see my new apartment—it's +just grand."</p> + +<p>"You said you have moved tonight—but I don't +think you told me where."</p> + +<p>"To the Hussman."</p> + +<p>"Oh, baby—putting on the Ritz."</p> + +<p>"Of course not—I just had a streak of luck, +but you haven't even noticed my black eye."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Well, I can realize that anyone could be +jealous of you, but I can't imagine anyone being +mean enough to give you a shiner 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?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my apartment—just you and I—Evelyn +has passed out."</p> + +<p>They arose from the booth—this once Harry +took time to pay before they left. They strolled +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +leisurely up the street to the hotel, which is only +a few blocks away.</p> + +<p>Pearl opened the door to the apartment, and +Harry went in, his eyes wide in amazement at the +loveliness of the place.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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 passed out?"</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to tell me that you passed +out tonight, Ev?" said Harry, as he came over +and stood in front of her.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +"Well, it's the first time in years, and I can't +imagine what caused it. I don't remember much +of anything."</p> + +<p>"Here, Harry, sit down by me and tell me what +you think of my new home. Don't you think it +is lovely?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah, its fine, but I don't get the connection +of the black eye and the apartment."</p> + +<p>"It's just as well," said Evelyn. "The less you +get, the better off you will both be."</p> + +<p>"No kidding, Pearl—what is the gag—who +is the sucker?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, just a guy that thinks he is crazy about +me, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Now, Harry, I want to ask you something +seriously," said Evelyn. "Maybe I'm wrong, maybe +I'm not, but you might as well know—you will +sooner or later—I been telling Pearl she is nuts, +now let's see what you think."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +"Let's hear it," answered Harry.</p> + +<p>"Do you mind, Pearl?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't mind."</p> + +<p>"Well, here's the story. You know that big +guy they call Big Boy? You and he have been +more less rivals for some time, and I know you are +very good friends. You know the guy pretty +well—you have seen him go on a rampage and +wreck a place, then pay for it. Well—he's nuts +for Pearl, and he is the one who gave her the +black eye because she lied to him about last night, +then he gave her a thousand bucks, and this apartment, +and anything else she wants—now, what +I'm coming to—this guy wants to marry her—I +know that will floor you—and he means it. +Pearl is taking all he can give her. Don't you +think that if he is crazy about her, that if he +catches her two-timing him he will go on such a +rampage he might kill her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's right, Ev, that guy is a bad hombre—but +why should he catch her?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +"I give you credit for some sense, Harry. If +he gave her a black eye for lying, what will he do +to her when he finds out you or some other guy +is playing around his duck's nest?"</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, Ev. Pearl's too clever for that—anytime +I fall for a woman I know she is clever," +laughed Harry assuredly.</p> + +<p>"That may be all well and good, but I'm +damned if I care to be around when the thing +happens," said Evelyn, as she guzzled some more +coffee.</p> + +<p>"You didn't tell me what they did to Negro +Noche about that shooting last night, and what +did they do with Irene's body?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Negro Noche wasn't even arrested—the +authorities said that she was protecting her home, +and that if another woman was trying to steal +her man, and she found them in each other's arms, +she had done the right thing, so she was let free. +About Irene, nobody seems to know where her +home is, or if she has any people. They are +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +holding her body over in the morgue until they +can find out something, and if they don't they will +bury her out here in the usual pauper's grave."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jees that's awful," said Evelyn. "Well, +they won't bury her in no pauper's grave as long +as I got a cent."</p> + +<p>"You are right," answered Pearl, "But Ev, I've +more money than you have—I'll pay for the +funeral, poor kid—that's usually the end of most +of us—God, that's awful—I'll tell you what we +will do—we'll get up early in the morning and +go over to the morgue, and arrange for her to +have a decent funeral."</p> + +<p>"I haven't any money," said Harry. "But I'll +do anything I can."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Harry—I'm glad that I have +the money to do it—shall we bury her on the +Mex side, or shall we bring her over here?"</p> + +<p>"What's the difference? I'm sure it wouldn't +make any difference to her, and then you might +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +have to go through some red tape about bringing +the body across the border," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Well, I better be getting home," said Harry, +as he arose to go.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Harry—stay up here tonight, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Do you really want me to?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, darling, you know I want you to."</p> + +<p>"If you two must have your fun, then listen to +me—I'll stay in the other bedroom, and if anything +should happen that Big Boy would come in +any time, Harry, you come and get in bed with +me, then he couldn't say anything," explained +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Ev, you're some little thinker—what would +we do without you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nuts," exclaimed Evelyn. "I'm going to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +bed—good-night," as she arose and went into +the bedroom.</p> + +<p>Harry and Pearl sat for a long time on the +divan, holding each other's hands, not saying a +word. This was the third night they had known +each other, and events since that time had been +rather swift.</p> + +<p>"I've seen lots of girls come down here, and +stay around for a while, then maybe make a good +marriage, then others go to the dogs, but of all +the lot you are the first one that I've ever really +been in love with," said Harry, softly.</p> + +<p>"I love you, too, Harry, and it's my first real +love, but I don't quite know how you can love +me when you know what I'm doing and what I +am—don't that make a difference?"</p> + +<p>"It might to some people, but not to me—but +you see I couldn't give you what Big Boy can."</p> + +<p>"You mean you can't give me the money he can?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +"That's it—he can give you everything you +could ever want—money, clothes, cars—or just +anything you happen to want—why, look, he has +already given you a thousand dollars—I doubt +if I'll ever have a thousand in my whole life—I'm +just a bum singer."</p> + +<p>"But just the same I love you, Harry—why +couldn't we do this—I've an idea—let me string +this guy along and get a load of dough, and then +we can beat it and start fresh some place where +no one knows us—would you like that?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know about that—I'll have to +think it over—that is a little too much to say yes +to on so short a notice, and not a nice thing to do."</p> + +<p>"What's the difference? What I'm doing already +is not exactly what the general run of +people would call decent."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's nothing—I know women about this +town that have good husbands and friends, and +they step out on the side for the dough, to buy +something they want, but they were respectable +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +girls before they married, but this much I know—if +I marry a girl like you, I can depend on you +being on the level with me—I've seen enough of +life down here to know that."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we talk this over some time tomorrow +or later. We should get some sleep tonight," +said Pearl, as she laid her head on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Harry pulled her close to him, all was quiet in +the hotel, and the streets were quiet. The rest of +the night was bathed in liquid silver of a belated +moon, but inside each of them there raged a tornado +of love, desire, passion, that was soon to be +quelled by complete possession of each other, then +a sweet sleep of quiet and peace, that equaled +the quietness of the silent city outside.</p> + +<p>Morning quietly slipped through the windows, +the bright hot sun rose, dispelling the chill of the +night. The city rose with all its noise and bustle, +as a sleeping dog rises and shakes itself, to be about +its busy routine of the day.</p> + +<p>Evelyn awoke, looked around, then realized that +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +she was at Pearl's apartment, then looked next to +her in bed, and was surprised that she was in bed +alone. She slowly climbed out of bed, going to +the window, looked out on the lovely morning, +then thinking of Irene, she started for the bedroom +where Pearl was lying in Harry's arms, +sleeping quietly.</p> + +<p>"Hey, you two," as she shook them. "Come on—come +on—snap out of it—we have lots to do +today," as Pearl and Harry opened their eyes to +behold a sight which caused them to laugh loudly. +Evelyn standing in teddies, with her hair standing +on end, eyes bloodshot from the night before.</p> + +<p>"Ev, have you looked at yourself in the mirror +yet?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't—I'm afraid to—I've heard +people sometimes die of fright—so I'm just working +up the courage to do that little thing—do you +want me to order breakfast?"</p> + +<p>"Breakfast—that sounds good," said Harry, as +he sat up in bed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +"Ev, you're a darling—order a big one for me—I +need it—I'm starved—then we will go over +the river," as she went to the bathroom.</p> + +<p>Evelyn called the morgue, and found that no +one seemed able to find Irene's people, or to find +out anything about her, so she told the undertakers +to get Irene ready and make all the arrangements +for the funeral to be held at two o'clock that +afternoon, at the Mexican Cemetery on the outskirts +of Juarez, then she spent the next half hour +calling every Hooker that she knew, and told them +the time of the funeral, and asked them to be +there, and to bring any of the other girls they +could get hold of.</p> + +<p>"How many have you called, in all, Ev?" asked +Pearl, as Evelyn sat down beside her. "I'll call +and have these dishes taken away."</p> + +<p>"About twenty in all, but they all know others +that I don't know and they will tell them."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going to run out home," said Harry, +getting ready to leave, "I'll see you at the funeral."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +"All right, dear," said Pearl, as she kissed him goodbye.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think we better go over and see if +there is anything we might do? I'll get a check +cashed and take enough money over to pay the +expenses for the flowers, since you insist on paying +all the funeral expenses—the least I can do +will be to see that she has lovely flowers, poor +kid."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Ev, we had better go on over—I'll +have to get a check cashed, too."</p> + +<p>They called a taxi and started for Juarez, and +as the car pulled over the bridge, and under the +shed where all cars stop to be questioned by the +Mexican officials before entering Juarez, there +were soldiers everywhere.</p> + +<p>"Why are you Senoritas going to Juarez at +this time," asked one of the officials.</p> + +<p>"We are going over to attend the funeral of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +the American girl who was shot Saturday night +in the Rio Bravo Hotel," answered Pearl.</p> + +<p>"What other business have you to attend to +over there?"</p> + +<p>"None."</p> + +<p>"You will pardon, Senorita, but may I suggest +that as soon as possible you will return to the +American side—the rebels have left Chihuahua +City by train, and they may arrive at any time +from one o'clock to six."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, we will," answered Pearl, as the official +motioned to the driver to drive on.</p> + +<p>"I bet there will be some wild carrying on here +with the rebels, when they do arrive," laughed +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if there will be much fighting?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, there will be fighting, and lots of screaming +and running. The way they carry on you +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +think there is twice as much fighting as there +really is."</p> + +<p>"I guess we had better try and get back before +the rebels arrive. What do you think, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Well, after the funeral we will come back. +We won't waste any time."</p> + +<p>"Come right in, Senoritas," said the Mexican +undertaker, as he bowed low to them.</p> + +<p>"You have made the necessary arrangements +that we called you about this morning?"</p> + +<p>"Si, Senorita."</p> + +<p>"How much is the whole bill?" asked Pearl, as +she fished into her bag.</p> + +<p>"Four hundred Pesos, Senorita."</p> + +<p>"How much American?"</p> + +<p>"That will be two hundred dollars, Senorita, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +and that is everything. I have already had the +grave dug, and the time you said over the +phone is the time the funeral will take place. I, +Senorita, have taken the privilege of calling a +Padre—was that right?"</p> + +<p>"That's O. K. by me, don't you think, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Sure."</p> + +<p>"Here's your money," as she handed him two +hundred dollars.</p> + +<p>"The good God will be kind to you, Senorita, +for this good deed," as Pearl and Evelyn went out.</p> + +<p>"Hell, I need a drink, don't you, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—a good stiff one," as they climbed in +the car.</p> + +<p>"Driver, take us to the Central, and come in +and have a shot with us."</p> + +<p>"Oke, Sister," answered the driver.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +They turned on the Sixteenth of September +Street, and had to stop to let troops pass, some +short, some tall, but none with uniforms that fit, +except the officers, who were perfectly groomed, +with beautiful uniforms that would have done +credit to a rear Admiral of anybody's country, and +as they marched past, sullen dirty faces showed +no sign of expression, of joy, of madness, chagrin, +nor contempt—they were like so many dirty +brown masks, that hide so much thievery, murder, +and cowardice underneath.</p> + +<p>"Do the rebels look anything like this?" asked +Pearl, as they passed.</p> + +<p>"Just the same—clothes may be different, but +that means nothing. These men that just +marched past may be on the rebel side before +sundown—they are just as willing to fight for +one side as the other, as long as it promises to +be profitable."</p> + +<p>"I can't understand why they are always having +these revolutions down here."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +"Pearl, in our country every boy is taught +that he can, by hard study and work, be the +President if he wants to be, but down here every +boy is taught that he must be President, even if +he has to kill the former one, and they have tried +to live up to their teaching, so it's just another +case of some bad boy taking what he thinks is +rightfully his."</p> + +<p>"I suppose they will stop the trains out of +town, and march in."</p> + +<p>"Oh no they won't—they will ride those trains +into the heart of the town, screaming and yelling +and shooting at anybody that happens to be in +sight, at least that is the way they always have +done, and Mex's never change."</p> + +<p>"I hope the rebels don't arrive before the +funeral is over—that would be awful."</p> + +<p>"I'll say it would," as the car stopped. "Come +on, here's where we drink—come on, driver." +They all went in.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +"I'll have whiskey," said Pearl.</p> + +<p>"So will I."</p> + +<p>"Make it three whiskeys," answered the driver. +"Say do you girls want me to wait over here for +you?"</p> + +<p>"No, we are going to stick around here until +time for the funeral. You can go on back—oh, +I almost forgot about paying you—here, take +this," as she shoved a bill in his hand.</p> + +<p>"If I were you, girls, I wouldn't waste any +more time over here than I had to, and if you say +the word, I'll stay and see you through," answered +the driver.</p> + +<p>"That's nice of you kid, but we will be O. K."</p> + +<p>"So long," as he went.</p> + +<p>"It's going to take more than one whiskey to +get me through that funeral," said Pearl.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +"Let's buy a couple of quarts, and go on out +to the cemetery and wait there," suggested Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"That's the best idea of all," said Pearl, "Let's +go."</p> + +<p>They took the two quarts, and slowly walked +up the street. Small groups of people, talking +near doorways, gazed at them curiously as they +went. Most of the bars and places of business +were closed, and the windows boarded up, caused +by the expected battle, and knowing full well +that windows would be smashed if they were +not somehow protected. As two o'clock drew +near, the hearse with the remains of Irene, started +for the cemetery, the driver looking like a cornered +rat, and mad at having to go out into the open +when the rebels might arrive at any time, drove +slowly, but fearfully, through the streets, toward +the cemetery.</p> + +<p>Pearl and Evelyn were sitting on a fallen headstone, +drinking and discussing the injustice of life, +to them in particular, and to all in general. They +had just killed the first quart when the first bunch +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +of girls, headed by Mickey, came into the cemetery—some +were dressed as though they were going +to a party, others in street suits, but none in +mourning, as mourning could only be used once in +a great while, so why buy mourning for the one +funeral, and be stuck with something you couldn't +wear to hustle in.</p> + +<p>"My goodness," said Mickey. "How long have +you been waiting here?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, not very long—want a drink?" asked +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Yeah—we brought several pints along with +us—there comes some more of the girls," as she +pointed along the road to about fifteen girls, all +in gay colors, coming along as if they were going +to a picnic.</p> + +<p>"This is one of them things I sure don't like +to go through with it," said one of the girls.</p> + +<p>"Me either," answered another.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +"Well, it's near two o'clock—it won't be long +now," remarked still another.</p> + +<p>"I think that's the hearse coming now," said +Pearl, as she shaded her eyes with her hand, looking +down the road.</p> + +<p>"We tried to get a taxi to bring us over, but not +one of them would come," said one of the newly +arrived girls.</p> + +<p>"Well, you know there has been some talk +about a revolution going to take place over here," +said one of the other girls.</p> + +<p>"So I'd heard," remarked the former, in a cutting +voice.</p> + +<p>"Yeah—that is the hearse all right—there is +someone with the driver—it must be the Padre," +said Pearl, still watching.</p> + +<p>The hearse drew up at the entrance, slowed +down, then proceeded to a far corner of the +cemetery, where the freshly dug grave yawned as +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +though waiting for its toll, while the two Mexican +grave-diggers lay sleeping beside the fresh +pile of earth.</p> + +<p>The girls moved slowly over to where the hearse +had stopped, as the driver got out and kicked the +grave-diggers awake, telling them in Spanish to +help earn their money by helping to get the +Gringo's body to the grave, which they did unwillingly. +The driver, the Padre, and the two +grave-diggers brought the box with the coffin inside +it, to the side of the grave, sat it down, while +the Padre began saying the service in Spanish and +in Latin.</p> + +<p>Painted faces looked on, as tears began to streak +their cheeks, each thinking that this might have +been her; some probably wishing it was them, +knowing that at least their earthly troubles would +be over, no matter what would be in store for +them; other's minds went back to their pasts, +the others to their childhood. Soon there could +be heard sounds of soft weeping—the service was +over, the four men slowly let the coffin into the +grave, jerking the straps from under the box.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +The two grave-diggers began to shovel dirt into +the hole.</p> + +<p>"Can any of you sluts say a prayer?" asked +Mickey.</p> + +<p>"I ain't never prayed in my life," said one of +the girls, "But I'll try it," as they all bowed their +heads, as hard lumps of dirt and rock fell with a +hollow sound on the box.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lord, I ain't never asked you a single +favor in my life," began the girl slowly, "But Irene +is a good scout, and if she ever comes into your +place of business, don't turn her down—she +always paid for her drinks, poor kid—Amen."</p> + +<p>"Come on, kids, let's get going from here," +said Evelyn, as she wiped her eyes.</p> + +<p>They all walked slowly to the gates of the +cemetery—those in front waited for the rest to +catch up.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +"Let's all have a drink," suggested Evelyn, as +she began to open the quart she still had.</p> + +<p>They all gathered around, passing the bottle, +talking in low tones, starting to repair the damage +done to their make-ups by the tears.</p> + +<p>"We had better be getting back to town," remarked +Pearl, and they all started down the road, +towards town, walking in little groups.</p> + +<p>"Just think—that might have been any one of +us," said Mickey, "It wouldn't have mattered who +was with Juan Moros when Negro Noche came +in—she would have shot anyone she found with +him."</p> + +<p>"Yeah—you're right, Mickey—it might have +been any one of us. Juan was a nice fellow to +everyone, but Noche is a bad bitch—don't let +anybody fool you about that, but she won't get +away with this—his people will see to that," +answered Evelyn.</p> + +<p>Pearl, Evelyn and Mickey were the first to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +arrive on the Sixteenth of September Street—the +rest of the girls had split into the usual groups +that they usually ran in, and came straggling along +behind.</p> + +<p>"Let's go on down to the Central, and have a +few drinks and rest awhile, and let this wear off," +suggested Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"O. K." said Mickey, as they were nearing the +railroad tracks.</p> + +<p>"Jees—look coming," said Pearl, pointing down +the tracks.</p> + +<p>In the distance a train was coming—Mexicans +were hanging all over the engine, and on the roofs +of the box-cars, the whistle was blowing, guns +were firing. "It's the rebels."</p> + +<p>"Here, we better get off the street—quick, let's +run in the Rio Bravo," said Evelyn, as she grabbed +Pearl's hand and started for the hotel.</p> + +<p>The few people that had been standing in the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +street, ran for shelter. Four of the Federal Cavalry +who had no chance to be disloyal, decided to +make a display of their bravery by wrecking the +rebel train, by riding four abreast into the locomotive, +therefore making history, for Mexico, as well +as being heroes themselves, but never considering +that they would not be present to hear of it, they +spurred their poor, bony horses on to the tracks, +one in command gave the order "Forward"—and +down the tracks they rode, the engine meeting +them at the crossing of the Sixteenth of September +Street.</p> + +<p>Men, horses, legs, arms, heads, blood, manure, +and guns were scattered and strewn for blocks, +the engine whistling, bell ringing, men screaming, +groaning, dying, the Federal troops running to +meet the rebels, the engine derailed in the middle +of the street, the hissing of escaping steam, rebels +pouring out of box-cars, running into the fight, +screaming "Vive, La Mexico."</p> + +<p>Both sides began to run behind buildings, firing +from behind, at anyone they saw, whether it be +friend or enemy.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +"We have to make that river somehow," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"My God—what do you think has happened to +the other girls?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"They are probably in as bad a fix as we are," +answered Mickey, as a stray bullet shattered the +windows of the lobby.</p> + +<p>The rebels began to drive the Federals towards +the river, amidst much shouting and shooting and +excess bravado.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what we will do," said Evelyn. +"As the shooting moves toward the river, we will +try to get out of here—I'll take my drawers off +and put them on a pole like a flag of truce, and we +will try and make it."</p> + +<p>"My God, what is that awful odor?" asked +Pearl.</p> + +<p>"That's horse manure, mixed with blood, that +splattered on the side of this building when the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +train hit those horses," explained Evelyn, as she +was pulling off her underthings, putting them on +the end of a yard stick she had found behind the +deserted desk.</p> + +<p>"Will we run for it, or how shall we try it?" +asked Mickey.</p> + +<p>"We'll ease out into the street, holding this +flag up, then we will go up the middle of this street +to the corner, and down that way to the bridge," +said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Do you think they will shoot at us?" asked +Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Possibly, but I'm willing to bet that the only +ones that have been killed in the fighting are the +ones there in the street, that were killed by the +train."</p> + +<p>"You're right, there," said Mickey, as they +moved toward the door.</p> + +<p>"Oh, God, what a horrible sight," said Pearl +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +as she shivered and put her hand over her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Get hold of her, Mickey, she never saw anything +like this before. I guess it is kind of a shock +to her to see all these Cholos laying around here +in pieces," exclaimed Evelyn, as she stepped over +what had once been a man, but was now only +mangled flesh.</p> + +<p>"If you don't want to look, you just keep your +hand over your eyes, dear, and I'll keep hold of +you until we get by this," said Mickey, softly, +as she put her arm around Pearl, and helped her +along.</p> + +<p>"Come on here," called Evelyn.</p> + +<p>They moved past the crossing, then into the +center of the street—bullets whizzed overhead +while toward the river there was a hot battle +raging.</p> + +<p>On the American side the banks of the river +were lined with people watching the fighting, as +though it were a baseball game, oblivious of the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +bullets that fell all around them. As the fighting +came nearer the river, two huge armored cars, +with French 75's mounted, rolled near the International +Bridge, muzzles lowering menacingly, +toward Mexico.</p> + +<p>A scream came from down to the left of the +bridge, as a mother grabbed up her little one in +her arms, running toward the street. The child +had been killed by a stray bullet.</p> + +<p>Phones began to buzz at Fort Bliss, saying that +the bullets from the fighting were falling thick and +fast on the American side, and that one had +already found its mark.</p> + +<p>Five minutes passed—soon the screaming of a +siren could be heard, coming toward the bridge +was the large dark brown car with the American +flag flying from the front, and it drew up at the +foot of the bridge.</p> + +<p>General M—— stepped from the car, face red +with fury.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +"Fire a warning from one of those 75's," commanded +the General, as he walked toward the +center of the bridge, as the voice of the 75 roared +across the border.</p> + +<p>Firing on the Mexican side stopped immediately, +as one of the Federals came running toward +the gates on the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Open these gates," commanded the General, +and the aides ran to do his bidding.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Senor?" said the Federal, as he +came near the General.</p> + +<p>"I want the Commander of the Rebels and the +Commander of the Federals at the foot of this +bridge in five minutes—be on your way."</p> + +<p>The Federal ran back to the group of soldiers, +they all began to talk excitedly, running in several +directions.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +Truck loads of soldiers from Fort Bliss were +unloading, all ready for action.</p> + +<p>General M—— stood, legs spread, looking at +his watch, tapping his riding boot with his stick, +as the Federal Commander came to where he was +standing.</p> + +<p>"You have sent for me, Senor—I have come," +as the sound of a horse galloping down the street +was heard.</p> + +<p>"At your command, I have come, Senor," said +the rebel General, as he swaggered up to the General, +looking at the Federal as though he were the +lowest thing on earth.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I sent for you both," said General +M——, "I want to tell you that if you saddle-faced +bastards let another bullet fall on the American +side of the river, I'll wipe the whole goddamn +lot of you, and this town, off the map," as he +turned, giving an order to close the gates again, +as the armored cars once more came into position.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +The General of the Rebels rode away, to his +own troops, who in the lull of the fighting had +moved up on the Federals.</p> + +<p>The fighting began again, with renewed vigor +on the side of the rebels, who had drawn their +bayonets, while the Federals ran for the river, +wading in and making for the American side, +wasting no time in doing it.</p> + +<p>Evelyn, Pearl and Mickey were coming down +the middle of Lysol Lane, Evelyn still holding the +drawers on the stick, showing she was a non-combatant, +when she spied about fifty girls huddled +on one side of a bar, some peeping around the +corner. There were all the girls who had been +to the funeral, and others, who had been to Juarez +on their usual business, and all together, wondering +how they were going to get to the American +side.</p> + +<p>"Hey, Gang," called Evelyn, "What do you +say if we all make a run for the river—once +we are in the river, we will be safe."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +"How will we do it?" asked the girls.</p> + +<p>"Here's the way," explained Evelyn. "We all +get in the street, and start to run—the rebels have +their backs this way—they won't see us until we +are almost in the river—because from what I can +see they have already driven the Federals into the +river and are already throwing rocks at them. +Well, we run as quietly as possible and burst +right through the rebels, and into the river—take +the right side of the bridge, it's better—now, do +you all understand?"</p> + +<p>The girls nodded that they did.</p> + +<p>"All right, then let's get going," as they all +started down the street at a trot. They neared +the river very quietly then amidst screams and +yells they burst through the rebels, leaping into +the river like rats from a sinking ship, grabbing +at each other, helping each other through the +quick-sand, and cold water, some holding on to +their bottles of whiskey that they had brought +along to give them courage. The few Federals +who had not reached the American side, turned +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +back to help the girls, amidst laughing, screaming, +cursing, and splashing of water.</p> + +<p>The American soldiers were rounding the +Federal troops up the way a Texas cowboy rounds +up cattle, herding them into one bunch, while +the girls pulled themselves out of the river without +the aid of anyone except themselves. When +they were out of the river, they went in a body +to the street where the General and his aides were.</p> + +<p>"This is a hell of a note," said Evelyn. "A +bunch of good American women should have to +wade that damn river, and no one to even help +them up the bank—you don't seem to realize that +once in a while a lady needs a little help."</p> + +<p>"You had no business on that side," said the +General, curtly. "You knew there was to be a +battle—the papers carried the news, and all +Americans were warned to stay away from there," +he continued.</p> + +<p>"Well, just the same, it's a hell of a way to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +treat ladies," answered Evelyn, as she sat down +on the curb of the sidewalk.</p> + +<p>"Senoritas—Senoritas," came the voice of the +Rebel General, who had climbed up on the side +of the bridge.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with that guy?" said +Mickey, as she moved toward the foot of the +bridge to hear what he had to say.</p> + +<p>"Senoritas—can you hear me?" he called across +the river.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute—all right, spill it," called +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Senoritas—we do not fight with women—you +are perfectly safe."</p> + +<p>"Hell's fire—we know that now—ain't we over +here?" answered Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"A thousand pardons, Senoritas—but we want +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +you to come back and drink with the victorious—to +be our guests for the evening."</p> + +<p>"Now, you see," explained Evelyn, "that's what +I call a gentleman, a real fellow," as she walked +over to the American General. "Say old top, +would you mind having them gates opened and let +us go back on the other side?"</p> + +<p>"No, those gates remain closed until this +trouble is settled."</p> + +<p>"O. K. brother," as she went back to the girls, +who were waving at the rebels. "Come on, gang, +we'll go back the way we came," and they started +off in the river, with much more enthusiasm than +the first time.</p> + +<p>"Come back here," yelled one of the American +officers. "You can't cross that river."</p> + +<p>"The Hell you say," called Evelyn, who was +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +already in the water, leading the procession. "At +least, these guys will buy us a drink."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it's safe to go over here now," +Pearl asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Sure, and profitable—these guys will open +every safe in the town, and all the champagne you +can drink. I been through these things before," +explained Evelyn, as the rebels were wading out +to help them.</p> + +<p>"You see," said Mickey, "these guys will drink +so much they will just pass out all over the place, +and you can go through their pockets right and +left, in perfect safety, and how I'll go through +them is nobody's business."</p> + +<p>"It's all new to me, but I'm with you," +answered Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Sure, honey, that's the way—get all you can—you +can't never have too much."</p> + +<p>The rebels were throwing their hats in the air, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +shouting at their victory, with only one thought +in their minds—to do all the looting possible, and +drinking as well. They started with the nearest +bar, the girls in their midst, singing, laughing, and +looking forward to a hilarious time. They didn't +wait to open the bottles of champagne—they +broke the necks off and poured it over each other—they +were wet from the river, so why not be +wet with liquor.</p> + +<p>The Federals of Mexico were taken to Fort Bliss +and quartered until they could be sent back to +Mexico—they weren't prisoners—they were more +refugees than anything else.</p> + +<p>The rest of the day and night was spent in +drinking, dancing, singing and general hilarity. +Juarez was never more gay or wild—looting was +indulged in—in a big way; every safe was opened. +The rebels needed gold, and American money, +whether paper or silver, was gold to them—the +girls getting their share of the loot.</p> + +<p>"I've stood about all of this I can," said Pearl, +as she tried to get up from the table.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +"Do you want to go home, honey?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Home or anywhere, but I've got to come out +of this—I've been drinking too much—I'll go nuts +if I don't get out of it for a while."</p> + +<p>"O. K. dear, I'll take you home," said Evelyn, +staggering to her feet.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can manage it all right without +me?" asked Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Sure—I can get Pearl home all right, but ain't +you had enough yet?"</p> + +<p>"I've had plenty to drink, but I haven't got all +the money I can use yet."</p> + +<p>"Well, how much have you got?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I've sure been going +through these lice. I've got as much as I dare put +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +in my stockings, and I got wads in my waist, and +some pinned in my step-ins."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll be seeing you,—come on, Pearl—give +me your arm—we'll make it some-how," as +they staggered toward the door.</p> + +<p>"Do you think we will have to wade that +damned river again?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"I hope not—we'll go to the gates, and I'll +try and argue those guys to let a couple of ladies +through."</p> + +<p>Once again the two staggered toward the International +Bridge. The streets were deserted, not +a person was to be seen, only a small group around +the foot of the bridge. Day was just beginning to +break over the horizon.</p> + +<p>"Where are you Senoritas going?" asked one +of the Mexicans.</p> + +<p>"Home," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +"I'm veer sorry, Senorita, but the Americans +will not let you through the gates."</p> + +<p>"Well, we will see about that," as they neared +the huge wire gates. "Hey—you—how's to let +a couple of ladies through—we want to get +home."</p> + +<p>"Sorry, sister, we got orders to open these gates +to no one," came the answer.</p> + +<p>"Well, you got a Hell of a nerve—we're +American citizens, and I demand that you let us +through."</p> + +<p>"Sorry, sister—but orders is orders."</p> + +<p>"Well, you louse, do you mean to tell us you +are going to make us wade that river again today?"</p> + +<p>"If you want to get to the American side, you'll +have to wade it."</p> + +<p>"That's our good Americans for you," said +Evelyn in disgust. "I'm damned if I know which +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +is the worst, these Goddamn Mexicans or that +lousy American scum that tries to be so damn +important."</p> + +<p>"Come on, Ev—we've waded it before—we +might as well do it again—at that the cold water +may wake us up."</p> + +<p>They walked back to the Mexican foot of the +bridge, and over the levee, holding to each other +once more as they started again through the chill +waters of the Rio Grande.</p> + +<p>"Halt—who goes there?" came the challenge +from the U. S. side, as they neared the bank.</p> + +<p>"Who the Hell do you think?" asked Evelyn, +as they climbed out of the water.</p> + +<p>"Say, woman—ain't you got any more sense +than to come across that river that way? We will +have to hold you now for investigation."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yeah? Brother, that's just too bad—we +asked you to open those gates, and let us through, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +and you wouldn't do it, now if you want to really +start some trouble, just try and hold us for wading +across."</p> + +<p>"Well, you will have to come up on the bridge, +and do some tall explaining."</p> + +<p>"O. K. I'll do some explaining—you're damn +tooting," as they all three started for the foot of +the bridge, where the commanding officer was +waiting.</p> + +<p>"These two women waded across the river, +sir," explained the soldier, as they walked up.</p> + +<p>"Would you mind explaining," began the +officer, "what you two are doing at this hour of +the morning, wading across the International +border?"</p> + +<p>"Oh—for Christ's sake—what's the big idea?" +asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Just this—you women think you can get away +with this stuff because you are women, and +possi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>bly +because you think it's smart. Well, you can't—you +will have to be detained, and taken in front +of the Commanding General."</p> + +<p>"Well, you get a load of this—you low-born, +half-witted, self-inflated with your own importance, +shave-tail Bastard—you ain't detaining me +or my girl friend for no investigation—see—you, +or your men refused to open that gate to let two +American citizens through, and we had to wade +the river, and it's scum like you that has managed +to get into office in this country, and run it with +stuffed uniforms that wouldn't know the meaning +of the word MAN if it was drawn in blue-print +for them—you stand and tell me what you are +going to do—why, Goddamn you, when I get +through telling the General what I think, as well +as the American Consul, you'll be a buck private +again—you've got a gall—you impudent little +runt."</p> + +<p>"Just the same, I'm sorry, but the General will +have to give his O. K. on your crossing."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +"Then, by God—you'll call him on the phone +right now," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"It isn't customary to disturb the General at +this hour of the morning."</p> + +<p>"That's too bad for the General, that he has to +be aroused out of his beauty sleep."</p> + +<p>"I will call him, even though it is not the ordinary +routine."</p> + +<p>"And how you will call him," exclaimed +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not quite used to the ways of the +border yet, but it seems to me to be rather against +one to be an American down here," said Pearl.</p> + +<p>"The fault ain't with America—it's with the +ignorant bastards that's allowed to run it," +answered Evelyn, as the Lieutenant was calling +Fort Bliss.</p> + +<p>After much delay the General was finally +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +reached. "What the Hell are you calling me for +at this time of the morning?" he roared over the +phone.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, sir, but it's about two women that +have just waded the river, and we have detained +them, and they have insisted that we call you, or +they will take it up with the American Consul. +I thought it best to call you."</p> + +<p>Evelyn leaned her ear close to the receiver.</p> + +<p>"Are they respectable women?" asked the +General.</p> + +<p>"I'll answer that question," said Evelyn, as she +snatched the receiver from the Lieutenant. "What +the Hell difference does it make whether we are +considered respectable or not—we are American +citizens, that ought to be enough."</p> + +<p>"Why were you wading the river at this hour +of the morning?" asked the General.</p> + +<p>"Because we want to get home, and one of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +your lackeys refused to unlock the gates—that's +why we waded the river."</p> + +<p>"Would you please let me talk to the gentleman +who called me, please," said the General, as he +boiled.</p> + +<p>"Sure," as she turned to the Lieutenant. "He +wants to talk to you," as she handed him the +receiver with mock dignity.</p> + +<p>"Get those women's addresses and names, and +let them go, and don't you call me again, as he +slammed the receiver up.</p> + +<p>"Well, what did he tell you?" asked Evelyn, +with contempt.</p> + +<p>"He asked me to get your names and addresses, +and let you go home."</p> + +<p>"Ask Hell—he told you to, you mean—well, +my name is Evelyn and I haven't got a last name, +as far as you are concerned, and I live at the San +Antonio Apartments," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +"My name is Pearl Jones, and I live at the Hussman."</p> + +<p>"Hussman," repeated the Lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Yeah, Hussman—and no smart cracks—from +you, either—and don't get the idea that you can +use the addresses for your own convenience when +you have a day off."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to have caused you ladies any +trouble," smiled the Lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Ah, nuts to you, brother," said Evelyn, as she +gave him a loud, juicy raspberry.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Ev—let's call a taxi—I'm as near +all in as I'll ever be, and live to tell it. Come +on up to my joint and stay, will you? I don't +like to be alone."</p> + +<p>"Jees, I might as well move to your place—I +don't seem to ever stay at home any more," said +Evelyn. "Here, we will call from the same phone +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +that big lousy Lieutenant just used," as she turned +back.</p> + +<p>Loud rapping on the door aroused Pearl out of +the deep sleep she had been in since she had +climbed into bed that morning. "Who's there?" +she called, still half asleep.</p> + +<p>"Mickey," came the voice outside.</p> + +<p>"Just a minute, dear, I'll let you in," answered +Pearl, as she crawled out of bed and staggered to +the door.</p> + +<p>"For the love of Heaven, don't you expect to +get up today?"</p> + +<p>"What time is it?" asked Pearl, yawning.</p> + +<p>"It's nearly five o'clock—have you been in bed +all day?"</p> + +<p>"Uh-huh."</p> + +<p>"What's become of Evelyn? I've been over to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +her apartment several times, and she hasn't been +there all day."</p> + +<p>"She is here with me."</p> + +<p>"Well, you two sure have been sleeping sound. +I been up here three times, and had the clerk ring +the room several times, but no answer."</p> + +<p>"We were nearly dead when we got here this +morning. We had to wade that damn river again. +How did you get across?"</p> + +<p>"They opened the gates when I went and asked +them to let me through."</p> + +<p>"Well, the lousy tramps—and the way they +treated us this morning—they sure was nasty."</p> + +<p>"I stayed as long as I thought it was safe for +me to stay, I finally got to go through the rebel +General's pockets, then I decided to come home +and get a little sleep. I feel fine now, and did I +make the dough last night? Seven hundred bucks, +not so bad."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +"I should say not. Come on and let's wake Ev +up. Have you got anything to drink with you? +I haven't got a thing up here."</p> + +<p>"Yeah, I have a bottle with me. I sure know +what it is getting up after having been on a good +one, and not having a little drink to pick me up—it's +awful," as they went into the bedroom, where +Evelyn was still snoring.</p> + +<p>"Hey, sister, snap out of it," yelled Mickey, as +she shook Evelyn real hard.</p> + +<p>Evelyn turned over and opened her eyes. +"What's the big idea?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Look," said Mickey, as she held a pint of +whiskey where Evelyn could see it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, great Heavens, give me a drink quick, +before I have time to start thinking," as she raised +up in bed, taking the bottle from Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Save me a drink, Ev," said Pearl, as she started +to the bathroom.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +"Well, you better hurry back, you know when +Ev gets a bottle, she don't want to give it up until +it's empty," called Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Did you make any money out of the revolution, +Mickey?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Sure, did you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know yet, I haven't been sober enough +to count it, but what I've got is on the chair +there," as she pointed to a chair, loaded with +clothes.</p> + +<p>"I'll hand it to you and see just how much you +have made," said Mickey, as she handed the +clothes to Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"How long do you think the border will be +closed, Ev?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's hard to tell. Sometimes those +things last only a few days, then again they have +been known to last months, but if we can't go over +there, nobody else can, and I know all the +apart<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>ments +around here where there are likely to be +parties, so the only thing to do is make the rounds +of them, and chisel there, just like we did on the +other side."</p> + +<p>"What about liquor?"</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about that—there is more on this +side than there is on the other side," said Evelyn, +as she began to lay out her money.</p> + +<p>"Did you make anything last night, Pearl?" +asked Mickey.</p> + +<p>"I haven't looked yet."</p> + +<p>"I've got the enormous sum of thirty-five +bucks," said Evelyn, as she looked disgustedly at +the crumpled money on the bed cover.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +"Now that another evening is here, what are +we going to do with it?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"O. K. with me—how about you, Pearl?" asked +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Whatever you all say is right with me."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"I've never heard you rave over a guy before, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +unless he had something you wanted," said +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Well—," said Mickey, slowly, "I guess he's +got something I want."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"I got an idea," said Pearl.</p> + +<p>"What is it, honey?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"Well—," thought Pearl, as she continued, "we +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +can go there and when we can't keep it up there +any longer, then we will go elsewhere—how's +that?"</p> + +<p>"Fine, let's call Mickey, and tell her, and see +what she says."</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"Sure, darling, I'll go any place—let's gather +up all the licker we have left here and get started," +as she began to set all the bottles on the sink.</p> + +<p>The news spread, and soon everybody was +sing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>ing +in a loud voice, "we're going to the Hussman—we're +going to the Hussman," amidst much +skipping and dancing.</p> + +<p>"Shall I call Tony?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Sure," answered Pearl. "The sooner the better."</p> + +<p>"You better call several cars for this mob," +said Pearl.</p> + +<p>"How many of them are there?" asked Evelyn, +as she picked up the phone.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but you better call about five +or six cars, maybe seven—there's some people out +in the yard, and it's too dark to see how many +there are."</p> + +<p>"Hello, Tony—this is Ev—well, look—we want +you to send some transportation out to Mickey's +for the party that is moving to the Hussman—you +knew that there was a party going on, didn't +you? Well, I guess there wasn't anyone who +didn't—come right on out—O. K.—good-bye," +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +as she hung up. "They will be here right away."</p> + +<p>The cars soon began to arrive, the drivers were +taken in and made to drink whether they wanted +to or not, and there were none who didn't want +to. Seven cars were little enough—people were +hanging all over the outsides of the cars, screaming +and singing, some fully dressed, others partially +dressed, others with only a street coat and +shoes on.</p> + +<p>They arrived at the Hussman—the bellboys +were rushing around madly, expecting at least to +earn some tips, which they did by bringing ice, +and ginger ale to the room, the crowd unloaded +in front of the hotel, each one trying not to look +drunk and to be a lady or gentleman, until they +got through the lobby to the elevator—some were +helping others, others were staggering it alone. +Pearl and Evelyn and Mickey in the lead, with +Mickey loaded down with bottles, wrapped in a +sheet like it might be soiled laundry, elevators +started the mad procession of getting everyone +off on the right floor, which became more noisy +as the newness of the place began to wear off.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> +Pearl threw everything wide open, told everybody +to make themselves at home, which they +were already doing—those who had gotten thirsty +on the ride were already in the kitchenette, uncorking +bottles. Evelyn sat at the phone, ordering +more liquor; Pearl and Harry, locked in each +other's arms, oblivious to all that was taking place. +Mickey eyeing one of the taxi drivers that the +crowd had brought with them, and wondering +how much he might have in his pockets, and proceeding +to make him drunk enough to find out.</p> + +<p>The party grew—other guests who were on +the same floor, who were in the mood, joined in +the crowd. People were going from one room to +another, soon the phone in Pearl's apartment +began to ring—the management asked them to be +just a little more quiet, as they were annoying +guests five floors away. The crowd was quiet at +least three minutes, when it began all over again, +in all its flamboyancy—drinking began to get +heavier, some of the crowd began to pass out +wherever they happened to be—that's where they +lay.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +Noon the following day.</p> + +<p>Big Boy approached the desk of the Hussman. +"Is Miss Jones in?"</p> + +<p>"That would be rather hard to say, sir," +answered the clerk, "but I'll try and find out."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?" asked Big Boy, +puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, sir—there has been a party +going on on that floor, and in her apartment, +since last night, and it's only been quiet for about +two hours now. There were a few who left, +I'll find out if Miss Jones is still up there," as +he asked the operator to ring Pearl's apartment, +which she did for several minutes, but got no +answer.</p> + +<p>"I'll go up and see if she is there, and what +the Hell's going on," as he started for the elevator.</p> + +<p>The apartment door was standing half open—two +of the maids were peeking in, and commenting +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> +in low tones on what they saw, as Big Boy came +up, they moved away.</p> + +<p>He pushed the door open, stood looking in at +the sight that greeted him—of bodies laying on +the floor, piled on the divan, on chairs, and on +each other. He started for Pearl's bedroom.</p> + +<p>Pearl was laying in Harry's arms on the bed, +where they had both passed out hours before. +Evelyn was laying on the floor on one side, and +Mickey on the other. Mickey had passed out with +her hand in the taxi driver's pocket.</p> + +<p>Big Boy quivered with rage—he grabbed Harry +and Pearl by the arms, and dragged them out of +bed, nothing on his mind except that Pearl had +lied to him again.</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later the police began to arrive—screaming +a partly clad woman, running +through the lobby headed for the street, made the +more respectable guests' eyes bulge in amazement.</p> + +<p>Pearl's apartment was a total loss. Big Boy +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> +had completely wrecked it with Harry, who had +come out of his stupor long enough to put up a +savage fight, all the participants of the party that +could make a get-away had done so, except those +that were too drunk to realize that this might +mean a jail sentence. Evelyn had taken Pearl into +the bathroom, with the help of Mickey, and they +were trying to revive her.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid he's killed her, Mickey," said +Evelyn excitedly, as she patted cool water on +Pearl's head, and wiped the blood off her face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jees, I hope not—let's keep working with +her—maybe we can bring her around—if somebody +don't stop him, he is sure to kill Harry."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what that is?" asked Evelyn, as the +screams in the other room became louder, then +died down.</p> + +<p>"Oh, God, he might have killed Harry. If he +has, we are all sure in for it."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +"Open that door, in the name of the Law," +came a voice from the outside.</p> + +<p>Evelyn rose to her feet, and unlocked the door, +swinging it wide open, as one of the plain clothes +men stepped in.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter in here?"</p> + +<p>"That louse has damn near killed this girl,—we +can't bring her to," said Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"All right, we'll get her to the emergency +hospital quick," as he called two of the other +men to take charge of Pearl. "You two girls +better come with us."</p> + +<p>"Where?" asked Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Police station, sister—you've been there +before."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's all right by us—we don't mind—we +ain't done nothing."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +The lobby was in a panic, the ambulance had +taken Harry and Pearl to the hospital, and the +patrol wagon was backed up to the door, partly +filled with screaming girls, and three officers had +over-powered Big Boy, and had him in another +car.</p> + +<p>"You girls get in the wagon with the rest of +your sisters," said the officer who brought Mickey +and Evelyn down.</p> + +<p>They arrived at the station, and were booked +with disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct.</p> + +<p>Big Boy was booked with disturbing the peace, +assault and battery with intent to kill.</p> + +<p>"Can we get out on bail?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Sure," answered the desk sergeant. "Ten +bucks."</p> + +<p>"I've got mine, have you enough Mickey for +yourself?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +"Yes, I have some dough," as she fished some +money out of her stocking.</p> + +<p>They rushed over to the hospital, where they +were told that Pearl was resting easy, and there +was nothing serious but cuts and bruises, of which +there were many.</p> + +<p>"Ah, gee, kid, I'm sorry," said Evelyn, as she +came to the bed where Pearl lay bandaged, "How +do you feel?"</p> + +<p>"Awful, honey—how is Harry? They haven't +told me yet. Will you find out for me?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, I'll find out for you. Mickey you stay +here until I come back."</p> + +<p>"That guy's a dirty louse to beat you up this +way, but don't you worry, dear, you will be all +right. I wish I had a dollar for every time I've +been to the hospital for some guy finding out I +went through his pockets."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +"Oh, this is an awful mess. Mickey, what did +they do to you and Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Took us to the station, and we got out on bail—ten +bucks apiece."</p> + +<p>"Oh, here comes Ev."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, honey, and anything else you want me +to do."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +"Don't let him in here, oh, please—don't let him +in here—I'm afraid of him," said Pearl, nearly +crying.</p> + +<p>"I'll go and talk to him," said Evelyn, as she +rose from the bed, "I'll tell that yellow bastard +something."</p> + +<p>Evelyn followed the nurse out to where Big +Boy was sitting.</p> + +<p>"Well, how did you get out so soon?" asked +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," said the nurse, "but you can't see +her," as she walked away.</p> + +<p>"Why can't I see her, Evelyn?"</p> + +<p>"Ain't you funny? You don't think she would +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +see you after the way you beat her up—you must +be nuts."</p> + +<p>"Oh—Ev—I've got to see her."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Ev—I can't live without her."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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-bitch +will get her. I'll kill her first—do you get +me?" his mouth trembling in rage.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> +"Listen, you ain't scaring me, Big Boy—I +know your money will get you out of this scrape, +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."</p> + +<p>"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?"</p> + +<p>"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.</p> + +<p>"What did he say, Ev?" asked Pearl, anxiously, +as Evelyn sat down.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing, honey—he wanted to see you. +He had calmed down and you won't have nothing +more to worry about, so you just rest and +get well."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you ladies will have to go now," +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +said the nurse, as she came to the foot of the bed.</p> + +<p>"I'll be up later and see if I can do anything," +said Evelyn, as she and Mickey rose to go.</p> + +<p>"Come back as soon as they will let you," said +Pearl.</p> + +<p>"All right, honey, we'll go and move your +things now, and then we will be back later. Now, +don't you worry, honey, you just rest—good-bye," +as they left the room.</p> + +<p>"What did he have to say, Ev?" as they +reached the street.</p> + +<p>"Well, it ain't so much what he said, but it's +the way he said it. I'm afraid he might kill her +if he gets hold of her again. Of course, he is sorry +and all that now, but the next time he gets mad +at her, or catches her with somebody else, he will +kill her as sure as there is a Heaven. He said if he +couldn't have her, no one else could, and you +know him, Mickey, he means business."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +"You're right there, Ev, that guy means business. +Well, he can't get at her there in the hospital."</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid of him doing anything to her +there—he wants to make up with her now—it's +when he gets mad at her again that I'm afraid of, +but I'm pretty sure she is off him now for good."</p> + +<p>"Yeah—and it's a shame. If she could only +have cared for that guy, even a little bit, she +would have been sitting pretty, but love is blind, +so they claim, so she falls for Harry, and he also +gets the Hell beat out of him. Well, it sure was +some fight."</p> + +<p>A week passed, rather uneventful—the Mexican +trouble was settled and the border opened +again. Evelyn spent as much time as possible with +Pearl, accompanied by Mickey. Harry had already +left the hospital, and Pearl would be out in a few +days. The rest had done her good, and she gained +weight in those few days.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> +"Has Harry been to see you today?" asked Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Sure, he was over to see me this morning. He +looks as good as ever, and he is so sweet. The +nurse told me I could leave here in the morning—ain't +that good news?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure glad, but what are you going to do +about Big Boy? You don't know it, but he has +damn near driven me crazy—he is wild to see you—he +knows Harry has been up here whenever +he wants to come, and he is wild with jealousy."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's up to me to stay out of his way. +He knows where you live, and he can come up +there any time he wants to, so I'll have to stay +in a hotel so he can't come up. Won't you move +in with me for a while, Ev?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, kid, I'll move in with you for a while. +I know how you feel and I'm kinda tired of that +apartment, anyhow. Let's move to the McCoy, +what do you say? I think you'll like it."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> +"All right, Ev, you go pick out the room, so +I will have some place to go to in the morning."</p> + +<p>"I'll go now, and do that before I go over on +the other side of the river. Good-bye, honey, I'll +see you in the morning," as she rose to go.</p> + +<p>Pearl left the hospital, and went to the hotel, +where she found Evelyn in bed.</p> + +<p>"I didn't expect you to be out so soon, or I +would have been down to meet you," said Evelyn, +as she raised up in the bed.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know myself, but it's grand to be out +again and walk around—how is Juarez?"</p> + +<p>"Just the same—I had a pretty good night last +night. Mickey picked a live guy for me, and I +got a hundred and ten bucks off him—that is, +Mickey put her hand in his pocket and took it +out and give it to me. She said I had earned the +money by being with him. You know Mickey, +and I just couldn't refuse—money is money."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +"See anything of Big Boy?"</p> + +<p>"I was coming to that—I,—well, you will have +to be awful careful, honey—that guy is on a +drunk, and he is bad—he told me last night that +the first time he sees you he is going to shoot you. +I don't think he was kidding, either—he means +business. Then again he might just be bragging, +because he was so drunk—but just the same, +don't you think it would be best to kinda keep out +of sight for a few days?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, gee, Ev, I wanted to go over tonight—couldn't +we go some place that he wouldn't think +to go, and that way we wouldn't be likely to run +into him. You must know of some place over +there we can go and drink and have a good time?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, I know the very place, and I don't think +you have ever been there. It's one of the places +that Grace Valdez owns—you remember the old +girl I introduced you to—the one who owns the +Gold Palace. Well, this is her best money-making +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> +place, so she says. It is a regular cabaret and bar, +with about thirty or forty girls working there, +and they have rooms upstairs—but lots of people +go there—sure, we will go over there tonight—what +do you say?"</p> + +<p>"That's fine—I'm just raring to go on a good +one tonight—how about you?"</p> + +<p>"I could start right now, as far as I'm concerned."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what let's do—you get up, and +let's go shopping. I need some new things, anyhow—will +you come?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," answered Evelyn, as she climbed out +of bed.</p> + +<p>They spent the day shopping, and went to a +show, then began to dress for the night over the +border. As they were leaving the hotel they ran +into Mickey.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> +"Well, it sure is good to see you out and +around again Pearl—we sure have missed you."</p> + +<p>"That's nice of you, Mickey."</p> + +<p>"Hey, look Mickey," said Evelyn. "We're +going to the popular bar tonight—you know, the +one up that side street, off the Sixteenth of +September Street there—you know where it is, +don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, I know where that joint is—that's a +good idea—keep out of sight of the Big Boy, +especially till that louse gets over these fits of +jealousy."</p> + +<p>This was too late—Big Boy was standing across +the street watching the three as they were talking +about him, eyes almost closed, watching Pearl +as a snake watches a bird.</p> + +<p>As they moved down the street to catch the +car for Juarez, Big Boy followed. He boarded the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +car with them, but stayed in the back, with his +hat well over his face.</p> + +<p>The night was beginning as they unloaded in +Juarez.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jees——" said Evelyn, "don't look, but +there is Big Boy just getting off the rear of the +car—let's disappear pronto." They ran up the +block and into the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Do you think he will suspect where we are +going?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"I don't think so. He will probably figure you +will make right for Harry, and that's where he +will go, and wait for you," reasoned Mickey as +they made their way on up the dimly lighted +street to the Popular Bar.</p> + +<p>As they neared the Popular sounds of a tinkling +piano and drums, mixed with laughing and +singing, came to them. The place was crowded +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> +with men who had not only come over for their +satisfaction of liquor, but to satisfy their baser +lusts as well—and this was the perfect place of +satisfaction of this sort. The girls were in short +dresses, heavily made up, with cheap rouge and +powder—they mixed with the men, hugging and +kissing whomever put their arms around them, +thinking only of the two dollars that could be +made upstairs.</p> + +<p>"Jees, what a joint," exclaimed Pearl.</p> + +<p>"You said it," answered Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Yeah—but you got a chance of making some +real money in this place—when these guys are +hugging any broad in the place you can always +get your hand in the pocket and he never knows +just who to blame," said Mickey as she looked +the place over for a prospect.</p> + +<p>"Well, we might as well get to the bar and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +start sipping some of that joy water, don't you +think?" suggested Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"Let's get at it," as they shoved their way +through the crowd.</p> + +<p>"This place does the best business in town—at +least it looks that way," said Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Well, they can get rougher and noisier, and +just anything goes, and this is some tough mob +in here right now."</p> + +<p>"Where did Mickey go?" asked Pearl.</p> + +<p>"Heaven only knows, but she must have +smelled a pocketbook—anyway, she will show up +in a minute—whiskey for me—what will you +have, honey?"</p> + +<p>"Whiskey."</p> + +<p>The music started in the cabaret, the crowd +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> +shoved its way onto the dance floor, leaving the +bar partly empty. Big Boy stepped through the +swinging doors.</p> + +<p>"Oh, God," whispered Pearl, "Big Boy."</p> + +<p>There was no place to run, no time, nothing +to do but wait as Big Boy drew a service automatic +from his pocket, leveled it at Pearl, pulled +the trigger six times. Evelyn had stepped in front +of Pearl, taking the six bullets—she sank to the +floor, everything was silent—Pearl dropped to her +knees, lifting Evelyn's head.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ev, why did you do it—why did you do +it?" she cried in anguish.</p> + +<p>The crowd had fought and shoved its way +back into the bar. Mickey knelt beside Pearl.</p> + +<p>Evelyn slowly opened her eyes. "Don't cry, +kid, its best this way—you still have a chance—Mickey, +promise you will—" slowly her words +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +came, then a faint shudder, and her head fell forward. +Evelyn was no more. There is nothing +greater than to give one's life for that of a friend. +Evelyn had made the Great Gesture.</p> + +<p>A shot was heard outside. People ran out to +see what it was. Pearl and Mickey looked at +each other.</p> + +<p>"It's the guy that done this," said a man. "One +shot was all he needed to finish him, right through +the heart."</p> + +<p>Six weeks since Evelyn had been buried. Pearl +had not been in Juarez since that night. Harry +had called up several times, but she had only seen +him once, and tonight the desire to see him was so +great she called up Mickey and made a date with +her to meet on the Mexican side and see Harry. +It wouldn't be the same without Evelyn, but she +still had Harry and he could always be depended +on—he loved her—she knew that.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +"Hello, darling," said Mickey as she put her +arms around Pearl. "You look a little peaked; +let's have a little drink and then we will go in +and see the floor show."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Pearl, as she turned to the bar.</p> + +<p>They had their drinks and found a table where +they could see Harry and the show. Pearl was +happy for the first time in weeks. She loved +Harry dearly; with him she could start all over +and face life on a different plane. He saw her +and waved, and soon he come over to them.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's been some time since I've seen you—how +are you?" said Harry as he leaned over +the table.</p> + +<p>"Fine, Harry, and you look wonderful."</p> + +<p>"Listen, darling, you will have to excuse me +tonight—I won't be able to see you after the +show. I've got an engagement, about some +busi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>ness, +but I'll give you a ring in a day or so," as +he left the table.</p> + +<p>Pearl looked at Mickey—Mickey looked at her +glass as she laid her hand over Pearl's.</p> + +<p>"Forget it, kid, he's not worth it—have another +drink and let's get out of here."</p> + +<p>Pearl couldn't speak. The thing she depended +on had been suddenly swept away from her. She +wanted to cry—she couldn't. She wanted to +scream—she couldn't do that. She was too numb +to even think much. Harry, who she had loved, +and whom she thought loved her, had given her +the cold freeze-out. She drank her whiskey—it +did no good—water would have had the same +effect now—nothing really mattered. She and +Mickey wandered from bar to bar until closing +time of the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Do you want to come out to my place tonight, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +Pearl, honey? You are always welcome," asked +Mickey.</p> + +<p>"I guess so," answered Pearl, "but let's go to +the State's Cafe before we go home—I want a +sandwich."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it's best to go to the States, +dear?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, I'll be all right."</p> + +<p>"Let's go."</p> + +<p>They arrived at the States at the height of the +merriment. The last of the crowd had gathered +there before going home with each other. Pearl +and Mickey came in. As they sat down, across +the aisle sat Harry and a little blonde who had +just come to town. He looked over to their table, +smiled and waved, and went on with his talk to +his partner.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +Pearl began to laugh—not a hysterical laugh, +but one filled with mirth. "Who in this Goddam +joint has a drink," she called as she rose from the +table. Several men rushed to her aid with open +bottles; she took a drink from them all, and so did +Mickey. She was gay, nothing mattered now—have +as much fun as possible. Ribald songs were +sung by her and the best of dirty stories came +to her mind. The crowd was so entertained it +wouldn't leave.</p> + +<p>"Do you want to invite them all out to the +house?" whispered Mickey.</p> + +<p>"Sure," answered Pearl. "Listen, gang—get +all your cars, and let's get going for a hell of a +good time out to Mickey's," as she jumped off the +table into the arms of the nearest man.</p> + +<p>"Pearl, can't I see you for a minute?" asked +Harry as he pushed his way to her.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +"You have a business date to keep—now, +brother, you keep it. I fell for that line once, but +never again—Adios, Senor," as she went out the +door in the arms of the man for the night.</p> + + +<p class="center">END</p> + + +<div class="tnote"> +<h3>Transcriber's Note</h3> + +<p>List of changes to original text:</p> + +<p> +Page 1: changed "tthe word" to "the word"<br /> +Page 6: changed "Evevlyn" to "Evelyn"<br /> +Page 7: changed "youv'e" to "you've"<br /> +Page 8: changed "waived Ev" to "waved Ev"<br /> +Page 10: changed "yesterdady afternoon" to "yesterday afternoon"<br /> +Page 17: added closing quotation mark after "a good time." <br /> +Page 22: changed "acount" to "account"<br /> +Page 23: changed "raucus" to "raucous"<br /> +Page 30: changed "Cant'" to "Can't"<br /> +Page 30: changed "couldnt'" to "couldn't"<br /> +Page 32: changed "Adois" to "Adios"<br /> +Page 39: added closing quotation mark after "a little revolution."<br /> +Page 43: changed "waived" to "waved"<br /> +Page 45: changed "or tortillas" to "of tortillas"<br /> +Page 46: changed "croner" to "corner"<br /> +Page 51: changed "Rio Brava" to "Rio Bravo"<br /> +Page 60: removed extra quotation mark in "Well," what's that got to do with us?"<br /> +Page 61: added "know" to "don't Negro Noche."<br /> +Page 80: added closing quotation mark after "won't get in jail."<br /> +Page 81: Added quotation mark: "Well, suppose they start looking<br /> +Page 102: changed "Fod" to "For"<br /> +Page 102: added closing parantheses after "this pan of mine)"<br /> +Page 116: moved quotation mark from after "his things." to before "Next time"<br /> +Page 117: removed extra quotation mark after "as soon as she came in."<br /> +Page 119: changed "she went out the door" to "he went out the door"<br /> +Page 130: removed duplicate word in "he cannot cannot be responsible"<br /> +Page 145: removed extra quotation mark after "started into the lobby."<br /> +Page 147: changed "out of Pearl's head" to "out of Pearl's hand"<br /> +Page 149: added closing quotation mark after "it's just grand."<br /> +Page 149: changed "putting on the Ritz," to "putting on the Ritz."<br /> +Page 150: changed "Eve" to "Ev"<br /> +Page 154: Added quotation mark: "Negro Noche wasn't even arrested—the<br /> +Page 156: changed "come n" to "come in"<br /> +Page 156: changed full stop to comma in: across the border." said Evelyn.<br /> +Page 159: changed "marreid" to "married"<br /> +Page 159: changed "quitely" to "quietly"<br /> +Page 160: Corrected quotation marks: "Hey, you two," as she shook them. "Come on—come<br /> +Page 161: changed "Cemetary" to "Cemetery"<br /> +Page 161: Added quotation mark: sat down beside her. "I'll call<br /> +Page 162: Added comma and quotation mark: this time," asked one of the officials.<br /> +Page 163: changed "They way they" to "The way they"<br /> +Page 165: removed duplicate word in "over the the phone"<br /> +Page 166: removed duplicate word in "fight for one one side"<br /> +Page 167: added comma to "Come on, here's where"<br /> +Page 169: changed "Lets'" to "Let's"<br /> +Page 169: changed "cemetary" to "cemetery" in two places<br /> +Page 170: changed "cemetary" to "cemetery"<br /> +Page 171: Added quotation mark: "We tried to get a taxi<br /> +Page 174: Added quotation mark: shot anyone she found with him."<br /> +Page 175: changed "Rio Brava" to "Rio Bravo"<br /> +Page 180: changed "found it's mark." to "found its mark."<br /> +Page 181: Added comma and quotation mark: those 75's," commanded the General<br /> +Page 182: Added quotation mark: "At your command, I have come, Senor," said<br /> +Page 183: removed duplicate word in "What do you say say if"<br /> +Page 187: changed "thats" to "that's"<br /> +Page 187: changed "waiving" to "waving"<br /> +Page 187: Added quotation mark: officers. "You can't cross that river."<br /> +Page 190: changed "dont'" to "don't"<br /> +Page 190: removed duplicate word in "I don't know know, but"<br /> +Page 198: Added quotation mark: don't you call me again," as he<br /> +Page 199: changed "Lietenant" to "Lieutenant"<br /> +Page 202: Added quotation mark: Evelyn turned over and opened her eyes. "What's<br /> +Page 203: Removed extra quotation mark after: revolution, Mickey?" asked Evelyn."<br /> +Page 203: changed apostrophe to quotation mark: "Sure, did you?'<br /> +Page 205: added comma to "those that haven't got a dime, but"<br /> +Page 206: changed "it's being on the" to "its being on the"<br /> +Page 208: Removed extra quotation mark in: "Sure, darling," I'll go any place<br /> +Page 209: Added quotation mark: "Sure," answered Pearl.<br /> +Page 209: changed "good bye" to "good-bye"<br /> +Page 211: changed "all it's flamboyancy" to "all its flamboyancy"<br /> +Page 216: changed "distrubing" to "disturbing" in two places<br /> +Page 224: changed "cant'" to "can't"<br /> +Page 224: changed "Wont'" to "Won't"<br /> +Page 225: changed "give to to me" to "give it to me"<br /> +Page 226: added "be" to "it would be best"<br /> +Page 227: Moved quotation mark: "Sure," answered Evelyn,<br /> +Page 232: Added quotation mark: whispered Pearl, "Big Boy."<br /> +Page 233: Added comma: that done this," said a man.<br /> +Page 212: Added full stop: started for the elevator.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Hookers, by Richard F. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Hookers + +Author: Richard F. Mann + Rae Bourbon + +Release Date: July 12, 2011 [EBook #36711] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOOKERS *** + + + + +Produced by Tor Martin Kristiansen, Erica Altschul and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (at +https://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made +available by Randy A. Riddle. + + + + + + + +[Transcriber's Note: + +Suspected printing errors in the original text have been changed. A +complete list is included at the end of this e-book. + +Instances of inconsistent hyphenation have been left in place.] + + + + + Hookers + + + By + _Richard F. Mann_ + + + PRINTED & BOUND IN U. S. A. + + + TO + EVELYN + + + COPYRIGHT + 1932 + + RAE BOURBON + + ALL RIGHTS AND TRANSLATIONS RESERVED + + + PUBLISHED + BY + HOUSE OF BOURBON + PHILADELPHIA + + + + +"FOREWORD" + + +In writing this preface, it seems that I have followed the old Mexican +custom of "Manana," and waited until the book was finished, before +writing it, then I discovered that it was a necessity. + +The characters in this story are real, live, and living people, and most +of them are still in the fair city of Juarez, plying the oldest trade in +the world, and were known personally by the Author, who studied them for +several months in pop-eyed amazement. + +All of the incidents in this story actually happened, and are taken +right from the bare facts of life; in fact, the Author has had to tone +down some of the descriptions of the parties herein mentioned. + +The Author has not meant to be vicious in his statements of either +country, but has merely stated conditions as they were found. + + THE AUTHOR. + + + + +"You lousy bastard, don't you ever set foot in this room again. You sure +got nerve--accusing me of holding out on you--you know damn well that +guy never paid me a cent." + +"Well, Pearl, how was I to know? He came down into the street, and said +that he gave you two bucks." + +"As long as you've been a Pimp, you should fall for that +stuff--Screw--get out of my sight." + +"O. K. Baby, but remember that if you ever need me, all you gotta do is +just say the word. You know I'm all for you." + +"Nuts--I've been in this burg a week, and all I done is turn Two Dollar +tricks, and split with you, and for what? You ain't never brought me one +dime, but you sure ain't missed any meals. I don't need you or any other +guy from now on. I got my permit today from the Chief of Police of +Juarez, to hustle all I want on the Mex side, and I'm doing it, starting +tonight." + + +One week had passed since the person of Pearl Jones had stepped off the +west-bound Texas & Pacific train in El Paso, with one thought in mind, +and that to make as much money as possible in as short a time as +possible, and without bother from the police if--possible, which is not +POSSIBLE, even in a border town like El Paso, as Pearl had already found +out. + +In order for Pearl to hustle on the Mexican side of the border in the +City of Juarez, it was absolutely necessary that she have a written +permit from the Chief of Police, or any official whom she happened to +please in the usual way that a girl of her ilk had to please one, when +there wasn't enough money in the pocket to buy the permit. Consequently, +Pearl found out later she could have had a permit from the most lowly +Immigration official to the Mayor himself, but in the midst of her +efforts to please, the Chief of Police seemed to be the one who was +affected quickest in her efforts to--please--. Hence the permit. + +Juarez, Mexico, chief port of entry to Mexico, population of forty +thousand souls, mostly lost ones, separated from the United States by +the Rio Grande River, if it may have the luck to be called a river, +which at no time is deep enough to wet the crucial spot of one's +anatomy, in case one has to run through it owing to lack of time to make +the bridge, which has often been the case. + +"Well, this is a night for celebration," thought Pearl, as she left her +hotel to walk down to the corner of Stanton Street, to catch the Juarez +car. The car was filled from door to door with old Mexican women, +wrapped in black shawls, which would have been black with dirt had they +been originally any other color, and loaded down with topping bags +filled with the bare necessities that their own Immigration was kind +enough to let them bring in, and anything else that they might hide +under the numerous dirty underskirts they might happen to have on. + + +The car clanged, and slowly started its noisy journey toward the Stanton +Street Bridge, at which it stopped from three to five minutes, for the +Mexican Immigration and Customs Officials to go through the car and make +a pretense at examining everything that was being brought into Mexico, +as if anything on the face of God's green earth that was brought into +Mexico could hurt it. + + +"I wonder where I'll get off, now that I'm over here," thought Pearl, as +the car left the bridge to ramble on its way on into the heart of +Juarez, which is the sixteenth of September St. "I know," she thought, +"I'll get off at the Tivoli, where all the gambling is, and see if I +have any luck there." + +"Hello, Honey," came the friendly voice of a heavy-set woman of about +thirty, who five years before had been the toast of the border because +of her beauty, but who now had begun to show what the excess of Men, +Beer and Hook Shops, too numerous to mention, can do to a woman who had +sold herself to any man with the price, and had given herself just as +quickly to a man whom she thought she liked. "I saw you over here last +night and wondered who you were. Did you just come to town? Well, my +name is Evelyn--the last name don't matter, but better known as Bar Fly +Ev. I'll be glad to show you the ropes around here. Come on and let's +get off here at the Tivoli and snatch a couple of shots of whiskey, and +see if there's a dollar to be made here. Of course, it's a little early +just yet. The best time to pick a live guy is about an hour before the +bridge closes tonight, that's when they are looking for a girl to spend +the night with, and they ain't too particular. That's how I manage. Of +course, you won't have to do that--you're too fresh looking--they'll go +for you like a Texas hog goes for swill." + + +The Tivoli, the official gambling house of Juarez with any kind of a +game you care to play, run square, but with the percentage so heavy for +the house that a winning customer is a scarce thing. + + +"Say, Ev, did you have to get a permit when you came to this town, +before you could hustle on this side?" asked Pearl. + +"Hell, no, that's a lot of dirty gippery. The only permit I've got is +the one that every woman has. Of course, I know what you have had to go +through, and it's a damn shame that some louse didn't tip you off. +That's the way them Mex's have of getting first pop at every girl that +comes down here." + +"What'll you girls have?" asked the bartender. + +"Whiskey for me, Joe. What will you have, Dearie?" + +"The same, and a big one," answered Pearl. + +"Say, Dearie, by what name are you calling yourself?" + +"Excuse me for not telling you before, but it's Pearl--Pearl +Jones--let's have another drink on it. + +"Well, that's as good a name as any, at least, it's good and common," +smiled Evelyn, as she killed her second drink without a chaser. + +"You know the old saying, 'Common by name, common by nature.'" + +"I'm damned if you ain't O. K., and we'll have another drink on that +one. Hey, Joe, two more drinks for two ladies." + +"Say, Ev, you must have something on your mind tonight the way you are +starting off. You girls have a drink on the house, will you?" + +"Hell, Yes--I'll drink on anything. You know me, Joe--Bar Fly Ev, the +girl without a limit--at anything. By the way, Joe, this is Pearl. She's +a new girl in town." + +"Hello, Sister, glad to know you. Have another drink." + +"I'm glad to know you, and Ev and I will have another drink, possibly +several more," answered Pearl, displaying her best smile. + +"Say, Sister, you're dern good looking. I'd like to see more of you," +said Joe, as he poured more whiskey, and leaned over the bar and patted +Pearl on the arm. "I'm O. K. You ask Ev if I ain't. How about it, Ev?" + +"I'll say you're O. K., Joe, and you've spent many a dollar on me, but +Jees, you're seventy years old if you're a day. Don't you ever get too +old for this sort of thing?" + +"You'll have to ask somebody older than I am," answered Joe. + +"Don't let her kid you, Joe," smiled Pearl, "You and I will get together +real soon, how's that?" + +"Here, here, here--you two, let's don't have an exhibition on such short +notice. We gotta be moving along. We got a lot of hard drinking to do +tonight, as well as a few dollars to earn." + +"Oh, Ev, don't be in no hurry. You and Pearl have another drink on the +house." + +"Well--I guess we better have another little one before we go, eh, +Pearl?" + +"Sure, Ev. I'd as soon get lit here with Joe, as later. Makes no +difference by me." + + +Joe poured the drinks, and one for himself. "Here's how," said Joe, as +he poured his down. + +"We'll be seeing you," waved Ev, as they started for the door. + +"Let's see--seeing that we're on this side of the street, we might as +well go to the Gold Palace. It's only four or five doors down this way." + + +The Gold Palace, a large cabaret, with a balcony on one side, the dance +floor surrounded by tables and chairs with their real ugliness covered +with dirty green covers, of none too certain age, with a band stand at +the far end of the place, the bar off to the right doing a rushing +business. + + +"We might as well go in here and cop a couple of snorts of liquor, and +see if there's any of the girls in yet," said Ev, as she started for the +bar. + +"Hello, Curley--my, you look grand tonight," Ev greeted the young +bartender, as they stood up to the rail. "I want you to meet one of the +new girls who just came to town. Curley, this is Pearl." + +"Hello, Pearl--I'm always glad to meet a new girl. Now, what will you +have to drink?" + +"Whiskey for me," said Pearl, "what do you want, Ev?" + +"Whiskey, and lots of it, Curley," answered Ev. + +"Say, for cripes sake," said Pearl under her breath, "who is that kid? +Jees, he's cute. I've been in here several times, and every time I've +seen him, I get all worked up over him." + +"Cool thyself, Sister, it will doith thee no good to workith thyself +into a lather about him. The old jane who owns this joint--well, her +daughter married him. That's why he is working here, and is true to the +wife, maybe not because he wants to be, but because he'd better be, or +else lose a certain section of his anatomy which would cause him to be +of no further use to anyone--ssshhh--here he comes with the drinks, I'll +tell you more later. How is your wife, Curley?" smiled Ev. + +"She's fine," answered Curley, as he went to wait on other customers. + +"Well, as I was saying--the old jane who owns this place is Grace +Valdez--no, she ain't Mex, but when she came down here about ten years +ago she married one, in order to become a Mex citizen, so she could run +a chain of hook-shops without any bother from the Mex government. Grace, +at one time, was the biggest Madam in Denver, Colorado--but she's a +good scout. If you're in a jam and she likes you, she can do you a lot +of good; in fact, she can keep any girl out of this town that she don't +like. I'll introduce you to her tonight, if she comes around. That's why +I'm putting you hep--don't go on the make for the Son-in-Law. Hey, +Curley, give me and Pearl another whiskey." + +"O. K. Ev, drinks coming up." + +"Don't be funny, Ev. I made five bucks off him yesterday afternoon." + +"Oh, Jees--" exclaimed Evelyn, with her eyes bulging, "Well, for the +love of your own soul, don't let on to any of these other hookers, as +they are sure to run to Grace with it, and Hell would break loose in a +big way--but--I'm curious, is--I mean--is,--well,--how the Hell is his +bed manners? I'm curious to know if the wife is getting a break, +considering all the fun her Mother has had." + +"Oh, Ev, he's--well--" + +"Ssshh, pipe down, here comes Grace now. Hello, Grace, dear, how are +you?" smiled Evelyn sweetly, "I got a friend here who is just dying to +meet you, Gracie, dear." + +"Hello, Ev," answered Grace, as she walked up to the two. + +"Grace, dear, this is Pearl Jones. She just came to town, and I'm kinda +showing her the sights tonight." + +"How are you, Pearl," said Grace, as she offered her hand to Pearl. + +"I'm glad to know you, Grace; won't you have a drink with us?" + +"I've just got time enough to have a drink, then I've got to get out to +the Red Lights Apartments. Three of my girls got into a fight last +night, and one got stabbed pretty bad." + +"What was the fight over--a man?" asked Ev. + +"Sure--that's always the cause of fights down there. One of the girls +was caught with the other one's man," said Grace, as she threw her +whiskey down, "I'm glad to have met you, Pearl. If I can be of any help +to you any time, don't be afraid to call on me. So long, Ev," and with +that Grace disappeared in the crowd. + + +"Say, Ev, I like that old dame." + +"I knew you would--she's a pip--that is, as long as you don't cross her. +Well, let's shove off from here. There's a lot of bars over on Lysol +Lane we ain't been into yet." + + +Juarez Avenue, better known as Lysol Lane, extends from the Sixteenth of +September Street to the Santa Fe Bridge, and all traffic, pedestrian and +otherwise, must go down this street and across this bridge to return to +El Paso, as both bridges are one way, the Stanton Street Bridge is to +enter Juarez, and the Santa Fe Bridge to leave it. This street, being a +little over half a mile long, even if you were sober when you start down +it, you would be drunk when you reached the bridge, as more than every +other door is a famous bar, others infamous--but bars nevertheless, and +as you near the bridge they are bigger and better and louder and wilder. +So the girls started their trek down this street with the Barrel House, +then to several bars of less importance, until they reached the Castle, +which is known for its wonderful band, its good liquor, and its +wonderful proprietor and his wife, who, when she has been drinking a +little too much, does a strip dance on the floor that causes the Cholos +to fly for the river, to keep from burning the seats out of their +pants. + + +"Hi, everybody," yelled Evelyn, as she threw the swinging doors open and +strode in. "I crave whiskey and lots of it. Come on, Pearl, the night is +just beginning--Everybody, this is Pearl, a friend of mine I've known +for years--come on, everybody, drink to her--W-h-ee-ee," screamed +Evelyn, throwing her arms around the nearest man, and everybody moving +and milling around the bar. The band in the cabaret struck up a hot +number, with everybody screaming and dancing and drinking, for the night +was starting its mad, hilarious orgy, which always ended with anyone +going to bed with anyone they happened to be with, regardless of who it +might happen to be, sometimes even their own husbands. + + +Pearl found herself swept along by strong arms, on to the dance floor, +before she had time to see his face, and when she did get a real look at +him, she wasn't displeased. He was a tall fellow, about twenty-five or +less, in laced boots, riding pants and leather sport jacket, and grey +slouch hat. + + +"I'm hot for you, baby; I could use you plenty," were his first words to +Pearl. + +"Well, you're not hard to take." + +"That will be for you to decide later," he smiled with his eyes. + +"My car is parked just back of this place. Shall we go out to it, or +would you rather go elsewhere?" + +"Your car is as good a place as any--let's go." + +"Oke," he answered, as he put his arm around her waist and lifted her +off her feet and carried her out of the crowd to the swinging door. "How +much is this deal going to cost me, Baby?" + +"Just five bucks, big boy." + +"Oke, Baby," as he slipped a bill into her hand, "There's ten. If you're +good for five, you ought to be a pip for that." + + +In the dim light Pearl uncrumpled the bill he had slipped into her hand. + + +"Nuts, big boy, what's the gag? This ain't no ten--this is a fifty." + +"I know it--see if you can make the next fifteen minutes worth it." + + +The band played wild, hot, throbbing, beating, maddening, +breath-taking, passionate music, while the crowd swayed in and out, and +around. Young men whispered soft, sweet words. Old men whispered soft, +sweet words. Young and innocent ears listened and remembered. Not so +young and less innocent ears heard, still they did not hear. Hands of +young men strayed over their partner's bodies. Hands of old men strayed +over their partners. Young and innocent figures quivered, and whispered, +"Darling, I love you," while less young, and less innocent said, "Get +your hand off my Pratt." + + +Evelyn looked around all the faces that were near her, but nowhere could +she see Pearl. She ordered more drinks while she waited, knowing from +experience that if a girl friend disappeared for a few minutes there was +only one thing to do, and that was to--wait. There was no need for +hurry--wasn't she drinking all she could hold, and it wasn't costing her +a cent? Sure, she would wait--till Hell froze over--or at least till +whoever was buying the drinks, stopped. + + +"For the love of Jees--where the Hell you been? Look at your face--my +God, but you need a drink, dear," said Evelyn, as Pearl and her boy +friend came alongside the bar. + +"Excuse us for a minute, big boy," said Pearl, as she took Evelyn by the +arm and started for the Ladies' Room. + +"You ain't answered my question, where--have you been?" + +"I just made some real money--look." She showed Evelyn the fifty-dollar +bill. + +"Well, if you was out with that guy that you came in with, all I got to +say is--you damn sure earned it." + +"Ev, you said it--I ain't so sure I care to meet any more like him, at +least not tonight, although I gave him my address. He wants to come up +tomorrow. What do you know about him, Ev?" + +"Plenty--dearie--plenty, and if you can put up with him you can have the +world with a dirty shirt on it. He is filthy with money, owns a mine +back out here in the mountains--you use your own judgment, dearie." + +"Were you ever out with him, Ev?" + +"No, thanks, I bar horses." + + +The crowds were beginning to work their way down to the bridge district. +All the bars were full of hard-drinking men and women. The cabarets were +crowded, as it was time for the floor shows to go on in these places. + + +"Come on, Pearl, let's go over across the street to the Lobby No. 2. +It's a gay place, they have a good show there, and there must be some of +the regular girls over there by now, and you've made enough tonight +already to spend the rest of the night having a good time." + +"All right, I'm ready." + + +Lobby No. 2, one of the most popular bars in Juarez, the bar in the +front of the building, and the cabaret directly back of it, quite a +large dance floor, with a band stand at the farthest end, and surrounded +on three sides with tables, and every table filled with every specie of +the human race, some drunk, some more drunk, and some blind drunk. + + +"Hello, there, Ev," greeted the bartender. "How's the old girl +tonight?" + +"I'm fine, Henry--I want you to meet a girl friend of mine. This is +Pearl." + +"Hi, Pearl, what will you and Ev have to drink?" + +"I think I'll have Rock and Rye, and a big slug of it--Ev, speed up, +you're holding up the parade." + +"Whiskey, my darlings--Hey, Harry--you damn good-looking bastard--come +over here, I got a girl friend I want you to know." + +"Why, hello, Ev--I haven't seen you in days, or I mean nights. Where +have you been?" greeted Harry Hicks, a tall blonde young man of about +twenty-three, who was the Master of Ceremonies of the floor show. + +"Harry, this is Pearl--Pearl, this is Harry." Evelyn poured down her +whiskey without further ado. + +"How do you do," said Harry, as he offered his hand. + +"I'm very glad to know you," said Pearl, as she took the offered hand. + +"How soon does the show go on, Harry?" asked Evelyn as she wiped her +mouth on the back of her hand. + +"In about three minutes, come on in and see it. I've got a good table +for you near the band." + +"I'd love to," said Pearl, as Harry took her by the arm and helped her +through the crowd. + +"Hello, there, Irene," Evelyn greeted a girl friend, "How's tricks +tonight?" + +"Lousy," answered Irene. "I ain't made but two dollars all day, but +thank Heavens, tomorrow is pay day at Fort Bliss, the soldiers are +coming, tra--la--la--la--la." + +"See you later," called Evelyn, as she shoved her way into the cabaret, +and on down to the table where Harry had seated Pearl. + +"Say, Ev, that boy is a perfect darling--gee, he is sweet, so fresh and +clean looking." + +"Yes--Yes--Yes--my dear, every Bat in this town has said them same +words, and I been unlucky enough to be at every saying." + +"Oh--good--there goes the show--look, Ev, the way he announces, isn't he +the cutest thing?" + +"Yeah--I suppose you've made a date with him tonight to meet at the +States Cafe after you get back on the U. S. side, and he is to take you +for a ride in his brother's car, and show you the Rim road on Mount +Franklin, and how the lights of El Paso glitter down in the distance." + +"Why, Ev--how did you know?" + +"Dearest girl, he has only told that same line to five thousand other +Hookers in this man's burg, and what's more, they all go for it--I don't +for the life of me know what it is about him that gets all the girls +going--but do they go--" + +"Did he ever tell you that, Ev?" + +"Heaven forbid--there's only one thing that Harry could make me do, and +that's--puke." + +"Oh, Ev, look at the way he sings that song--why, I think he is about +the sweetest thing I've seen down here." + +"Pearl, dear, don't you let my dislikes bother you. If you like him, you +go for him. You see, I been in this town for a long time, and when you +have been here as long as I have, you will hate every Son-of-a-Bitch, +and all that goes with them. Don't pay any attention to my rants--Hey, +waiter--bring us two whiskeys, and for Heaven's sake, make it pronto, +I'm dead of thirst already." + + +The show went on, to a solid success, as it did every night. It was +eleven thirty, the band went wild, so did everybody else. There was only +thirty minutes left to drink in, before the bridge closed for the +night. Everyone was making the most of it. + +Evelyn and Pearl finally worked their way back to the bar, where Evelyn +ordered a pint of whiskey, and killed the whole thing without taking it +down from her lips. + + +"Jees, am I gonna get drunk tonight--make it another pint, +Henry--pronto," yelled Evelyn. + + +Pearl and Harry were wrapped in each other's arms, conscious of nothing +around them, living for the night only. + +The States Cafe, the rendezvous for the continuation of the gaiety after +one has come on the American side, not a large place by any means, but +serving good food, with no hindrance whatsoever for the noise and +ribaldry of the crowd, and took no notice of the bottles of straight +American whiskey that appeared as if by magic out of the ladies' bosoms, +where they had been concealed while in Juarez. The crowd had just begun +to come in when Evelyn and Pearl arrived. + +"Let's get a booth, Ev, and save a seat for Harry, as he ought to be +here soon." + +"Sure, grab a booth--but there is no need of saving a seat for Harry, +he's already here," said Evelyn, as Harry put his arms around Pearl from +behind. + +"Oh, Harry, dear, I had no idea you would be here so soon," said Pearl, +happily, "Sit here, dear." + +"What's the matter with you, Ev," asked Harry, "haven't you a boy friend +tonight?" + +"Yeah, I've had a boy friend for the past twenty-four hours, but he's up +in my room, trying to sober up enough to go home. He is a louse to his +wife--but--damn--he's good to me. He paid my rent for a month, and +opened me a charge account at the White House, and gives me twenty bucks +a month." + +"Don't this place have but the one waiter for all these people?" asked +Pearl. + +"Just the one dear; Frank is his name, and he takes his time, but he's a +good scout--wait, I'll go and get you some water--gee, but you are +sweet. Boy--oh--boy, I'd love to cut you," said Harry, as he kissed her +on the ear and went for the water. + +"Good Lord, Ev, did you hear what he said--he must be a sadist." + +"No, I think Harry's Irish." + +"But he said he would love to cut me." + +"Well, dear, that expression has more definitions than the one you +happen to know," said Evelyn. "My God, look who's here--if it ain't +Mickey and Betty--for the love of Heaven, where have you two been for +the past rear-end of the week?" + + +Betty and Mickey came over to the table, hellos and greetings were very +much in order, loud, noisy, raucous, but good natured was the dirty +banter that passed to and fro among the crowd. Finally they left Pearl +and Evelyn, but not until they made Pearl promise to pay them a visit, +then they squeezed into a booth with four other people, but where they +could still see everybody, and shout ribald songs of the border at the +top of their voices. + + +"What is the matter with Mickey's face? Why, Ev, she looks like she had +been through nine wars, and fought them all herself. I've never seen so +many scars." + +"Well, you see," explained Evelyn, "Mickey is the only woman in Juarez, +or the world, for that matter, that--if a fight starts in Juarez, and +she is on the U. S. side--she is sure to get into the fight before it is +over. I've seen her with a bottle so deep in her skull it looked like a +feather." + +"Darling," said Harry, "My brother loaned me his car, just as I told +you. Shall we take a little ride when you are through eating?" + +"I'd love to, dear--I've never been riding around El Paso since I've +been here, but where will we go?" + +"Well, we could drive out the Smelter Road and back the Mesa way, or we +could go up on Rim Road, on the side of Mount Franklin, or maybe you +would like to drive out to Washington Park--it is beautiful at night." + +"Well, if I were you," said Evelyn, "I'd go to Washington Park. At +least, there's grass on the ground around there." + +"Well, why isn't there grass on the ground in the other places Harry +mentioned, Ev?" + +"Well, you see, as far as I know--I believe the natives of El Paso have +had something to do with the wearing off of the grass in said places." + +"Oh, I know," smiled Pearl, "You mean cows." + +"Yes--some cows, but mostly heifers." + +"How do you girls feel about a drink," asked Harry. + +"Well, why the Hell didn't you say something before--good Heavens, it's +been a long time between drinks--bottoms up." + + +Screaming, glasses crashing, curses, tearing of clothes, yells, biting, +pulling of hair, turning over of tables, running of people, came from +the rear of the place. + + +"Good Heavens," screamed Pearl, "Those women are tearing each other to +pieces--why don't somebody try to separate them?" + +"Come on, let's get going," said Harry, as he took Pearl by the arm and +piloted her out of the place, never bothering to pay the check. + +"So long, kids, I'll see you tomorrow," called Evelyn. + +"But where do you live, Ev?" + +"San Antonio Apartments, on San Antonio Street, number twenty-seven. +Come up tomorrow, dear--adios." + + +Harry and Pearl went out into the beautiful new car, and took a long +ride toward the Smelter Road, to the fork where you return by the Mesa +Road. + + +"Shall we stop and look at the moon for a while?" asked Harry. + +"I'd love it." + +"Then we'll stop." + + +Harry pulled the car off the road at the top of a small Mesa Butte, and +turned off the lights. + + +"Isn't it beautiful here?" + +"Yes, but you are more beautiful than a thousand nights," whispered +Harry into her ear. + + +She turned her head, looked into his expectant eyes, and thought how +handsome he was, with that tightly brushed blonde hair, bushy eyebrows, +beautiful smile, backed by manly big white teeth, surrounded by red +lips. + +"Oh, Harry, you are a darling," as their lips met and their young bodies +quivered with the thrill of expectation to be fulfilled. + + +El Paso, city of one hundred thousand, not counting the nearby towns and +villages. Noon, the sun maddening with its terrific heat, asphalt in the +street so soft that your foot-print is left in it on crossing, only the +business that has to be done is all that is going on. People move about +lifelessly, clothes sticking to them. Mexicans, dressed in black, with +the usual black shawl around their heads, as though it were the dead of +winter, and not a bead of perspiration on them, with the only cooling +place in the town being in the theatres that are ice-cooled. + + +"My God--I'll die from this heat," said Pearl to herself, as she raised +up in bed, with her night-gown sticking to her. "Jees, I wonder if I'll +ever get used to it," she mused, as she climbed out of bed and raised +the shade, and looked out on the sun-baked city. + +"I wonder what I'll do today to kill the time before I have to go over +to Juarez tonight. I know, I'll put on my things and go and wake Ev up +and have breakfast--then maybe she can suggest some place to go where +it's cool." + + +Pearl stepped out of her nightgown, looked at herself in the mirror. She +was twenty-three, but she didn't look more than twenty, her beautiful +white figure, with all the curves of youth reflected back at her, gave +her a happy feeling, knowing that she didn't look anything like the rest +of the girls that had been down on the border long, and promising +herself that she would watch out and see that she would never--never be +like them. The door-knob turned slowly, then the door was thrown wide +open. In walked the big boy of the night before. + + +"Oh, Heavens," screamed Pearl, "Wait a minute till I get something on," +as she fled into the bathroom. + +"Never mind, sweetheart--I like you just as you are, that's why I came +up at this hour; I thought I'd find you in bed, or just getting out of +it." + +"Oh, please hand me something to put on," came the voice from the +bathroom. + +"Hold your hand out to get it, then." + + +Pearl opened the door to put her hand out, and as she did, he slid his +foot into the opening. + + +"Oh, please, don't come in--I haven't a thing on." + +"That's why I'm coming in," he answered, as he pushed the door open and +caught her in his arms. + +"Oh, big boy, don't you know you shouldn't do this? What will you think +of me?" + +"Baby, I love you--don't you know that?--I love you," he breathed hard, +as he kissed her eyes, her neck, her shoulders, and gathered her up in +his arms and walked toward the bed. + +"You will believe me--won't you--?" as he held her as if she were a +small baby. + +"Oh, big boy, you shouldn't act like this. What would anyone think if +they should see us like this?" + +"What the Hell do I care what anyone thinks--I want you and I want you +all for myself--I'll buy you anything you want. I've got money--plenty +of it. Can't you understand that I'll do anything for you? When you left +last night without even saying goodbye, I looked all over town for you, +but I couldn't find you. You know what I mean, I don't even know your +name, but I want you to marry me." + + +Tenderly he laid her down on the bed, smothering her with kisses. + + +Pearl looked into his eyes--he was sober--sober as a judge. He was a big +man, a very big man, but he was like a child that had found the toy it +had been looking for for a long time, and was so happy at finding it +that he would never let it go again. He was fresh, clean, good looking, +and had that very manly odor about him that women love, and above all, +he had money, and lots of it; didn't Eve say so and didn't he tell her +so himself? He ran his hands over her smooth body, his head was laying +on her shoulder, his big body against hers, his breath seeming to scorch +her. What was the use to fight against this? She knew that sooner or +later she would give in to his pleadings, the sooner the better. + +"Yes, dear, I do love you," she whispered, as she put her arms around +him, and pressed her hot mouth against his hot, moist lips--they seemed +to melt into one. + + +"Pardon, Madam, do you want to carry all these bundles, or wouldn't you +like for us to send them over for you?" asked the clerk in the White +House, the largest department store in El Paso. + +"Hell, no--I'll carry them myself," said Evelyn, as she began to pick up +the numerous bundles she had bought. + +"I beg pardon, Madam, but did you want to charge those things?" + +"Jees, my all to Heaven has gone--certainly I want to charge them, I got +an account here, ain't I?" + +"I'm sorry, Madam, but we shall soon find out." + +"Yeah--and for the love of Pete, make it snappy--don't keep me in +suspense." + +"Pardon, Madam," returned the clerk, laying down the receiver of the +store telephone, "I'm very happy to inform you that your account is +quite all right; thank you very much--call again." + +"Thank you very much, and I'll call again damn soon. Adios." + + +Evelyn returned to her apartment about three-thirty, unwrapped her +packages, smiling to herself, and fondling her treasures. + + +"Well, I've bought a new outfit from top to bottom, and from the skin +out. Won't I floor that herd of tramps tonight--Hot--ziggety--damn--now +I'll bathe, throw on a load of that loud perfume, and damned if I won't +be a lady, or know why." + + +"What was that?" asked Pearl, as she sat up in bed with a start. There +was a rapping on the door. + +"Who is it?" + +"It's me--Ev," came the voice outside the door. + +"Oh, just a minute, dear, till I unlock the door." + +"My God, don't you ever expect to get up today? Do you know it is after +four o'clock?" said Evelyn, as she came into the room. + +"Well, I did get up for a little while, but you see I went back to bed." + +"Oh, I see," said Evelyn, as she walked to the bed on tiptoe, where Big +Boy lay sleeping like a child. + +"He came in at noon, and I couldn't get rid of him, or I would have come +over to your place," answered Pearl, in a whisper. + +"Well, I'm glad you're able to get up." She walked over to Big Boy, and +pulled the covers off the bed. + +"Hey, what's the big idea?" asked Big Boy as he raised up in bed. + +"Shame on you," said Evelyn, mockingly, "Sitting up in bed in front of a +lady, and you with no sign of any drawers on. Here, put these on while I +ain't looking," throwing him the trunks of his two-piece set. + +"Oke, Sister; where is Pearl?" + +"Don't you hear the water running in the bathroom? Well, you know darn +well I ain't in there." + +"Hey, look, Sister, I'll give you a hundred bucks if you will talk for +me. Look--I'm nuts about that girl--there's nothing I want as much as I +do her--here's the hundred--will you do it?" + +"Will I? Boy, my mouth will run from now on about you. Hell's fire--I'd +talk for a bull with that much dough." + +"You know I want to marry that Broad." + +"Well, at least that's cause for the damndest drunk I can think of--Hey, +Pearl--get them things on--Juarez calleth me in a big way--and you too; +get them things on. Good Heavens, I'm dry as a bone. Come to think of +it, I ain't had a drink in nearly an hour." + +"My, Ev, you look good today. Where did you get all those new clothes?" +asked Pearl, as she came out of the bathroom. + +"The boy friend I told you about last night. He is the cause of all this +dressing up, and do you notice the smell? I even put on my best +perfume." + +"It sure smells good, all right." + +"It does now, but wait until I throw a few beers into me, and I'll be +the only one in Juarez that will smell like a cross between a violet and +a swill barrel," laughed Evelyn. + +"Don't you girls think we ought to have something to eat before we +start on this drinking tour?" + +"Big Boy, you think of the best things--food will do us a lot of good +right now. Come to think of it, I forgot to eat this morning. Damned if +I ain't hungry," answered Evelyn. + +"Where shall we go," asked Pearl. + +"Well--I think that the Hilton Coffee Shoppe would be grand," suggested +Evelyn. + +"Hey, look--Big Boy, you go on down to the cafe, and order for us, and +we will be along in a few minutes--will you?" + +"Oke, Baby; what do you crave in the way of food?" + +"Well, as for me--I'll have ham and eggs--what do you want, Ev?" + +"The same, and lots of it." + +"Now, look, you two--don't be all day," said Big Boy, as he went out the +door, giving Evelyn a wink. + +"Pearl--" said Evelyn, slowly, "Do you know what you're letting yourself +in for?" as she sat down on the bed. + +"Why--I don't get you, Ev, what do you mean?" + +"Just this, Honey--I like you--you're a good kid, but don't be +foolish--now don't think I'm trying to tell you your business, but you +see I've been down here for a long time and I know this border--Oh, God, +how well I know it." + +"What are you driving at, Ev?" + +"Honey, don't try to kid that guy--look here," said Evelyn, showing +Pearl the hundred-dollar bill Big Boy had given her. + +"What's it for, Ev?" + +"Well, he's nuts about you--and he wants to marry you. Of course, you +know that already, and what's more, it's none of my business, but for +your own good, don't try to string that guy along. He looks like a kid, +that's true. He is as easy to handle as a kid, but Pearl, he is a +killer. I know him, and I know what he will do. So, if you want to marry +him, and settle down, your nest will be feathered and in a big way, but +don't try to kid him if you ain't serious--be frank about it--tell him +the truth and then lay off him, or else be all for him. He gave me this +money to talk for him, and to tell you what a great guy he is, and try +to talk you into marrying him--I ain't telling you what to do and I +ain't telling you what not to do--but don't kid him, and don't promise +nothing you can't make good." + +"Why, Ev, I haven't known you for hardly twenty-four hours. I didn't +even stop to think you had a serious side--you are a dear. Sure, I know +what you mean. Now I'll tell you how I feel towards him. I don't love +him, I never could. He's not my type, but when he gets around me, and +puts his arms around me, and pulls me close, I can't hold out on him--he +is the personification of satisfaction--Oh, Hell, Ev, you know what I +mean, don't you?" + +"I admit you ain't left much to my imagination, but I get you." + +"You see, Ev, I am in love--but I know it is a hopeless love--but love, +nevertheless--and it's Harry Hicks, the guy I went with when I left you +last night in the cafe--that kid sure got under my skin." + +"Well, he better stay from under them things." + +"You don't like Harry, do you, Ev?" + +"Well,--I don't dislike him. I never thought of him as anything but a +big kid and I always treated him as one--Harry is a damn good guy as far +as I know, and I don't think that he has an enemy in the world, but +don't make the mistake that lots of the other girls have made with +Harry--he likes all the girls, and what's more, he couldn't be true to +any one for five minutes, not even himself--he's like millions of other +men; to him a woman is for one thing, and when he is through, he is +through--so the only way to impress him is to never--never let him know +that he means any more to you than the lowest Cholo." + +"That seems to be the standard formula to make any man nuts for you." + +"Oh--good--Heavens, Pearl, dear, we are forgetting Big Boy, and most of +all to me, we are forgetting breakfast, even if it is almost dinner +time," said Evelyn, as they hurried to the street. + +"Have you been waiting long?" asked Pearl, as they sat down. + +"Not long, but I had begun to be a little impatient." + +"Did you order for us yet?" asked Evelyn. + +"No, I thought I'd better wait, so I just had coffee, and decided to +read the paper until you showed up." + +"Any news?" asked Pearl. + +"Paper says that some old boy down below the border is sore because he +ain't President, and is gathering troops back in the mountains to start +a little revolution." + +"That ain't nothing new," said Evelyn, "That's in every day's paper." + +"I'll bet it's something awful down here when a revolution does start," +mused Pearl. + +"Awful is right--awfullest laugh in the country," answered Evelyn. + +"Have you and Big Boy ever been down here when one started?" + +"I'll say," answered Evelyn, as she sipped her coffee. "I was over in +Juarez when the last one started." + +"It must be awful, all those guns." + +"Yeah--the only kind of guns these Mex wars are fought with is Gonorrhea +Guns." + +"Listen, honey," said Big Boy, "What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?" + +"Nothing--why?" asked Pearl. + +"Well, I won't be able to see you tonight, I've some business to attend +to, but tomorrow afternoon I thought you might like to go swimming some +place." + +"Oh--I would--wouldn't you, Ev?" + +"I would not. I hate water, even for swimming, but that don't stop you +two from going and having a good time." + +"Well, I'll be seeing you, tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock, at your +room, baby," as he picked up the checks and started for the door. + +"Are you sure it's swimming he wants to meet you for?" asked Evelyn, +with a mouth full of eggs. + +"I don't know, Ev--I can't figure it. I've never been in love before, +and I don't know what it's like, but I think this is the real thing." + +"You mean with Big Boy?" exclaimed Evelyn. + +"No--no--no--Ev, honey, I mean Harry Hicks. When that kid took me in his +arms last night out on that mountain, I went hook, line and sinker, and +I don't know how to handle it." + +"I'm sorry, Pearl, yet I'm happy--but there's only one thing can come +from it, and that's--trouble--, but you got to expect that. You see, for +every bit of fun you have in this racket, you have twice as much +trouble, so my motto is--laugh, as long as you can, and take the rest of +it with a grain of salt, so if you love Harry--you go right ahead--let +nothing stand in the way--make it grand while it lasts--then when it's +over, you will have something to remember, and nothing can take that +from you." + +"Come on, Ev, let's get going. It's early, but let's go on over to +Juarez and have a few snorts, what do you say?" + +"When you mention drinks, you're talking right up my alley." + + +Evelyn and Pearl strolled out of the Coffee Shoppe, and down South El +Paso Street, across in front of the Paso Del Norte Hotel, to wait for +the Juarez car. + + +"My God, what you all doing standing here, not saying a word?" came a +voice from behind them. + +"Why, hello, Mickey," said Evelyn, as she turned and saw who it was. + +"Hello, Mickey," said Pearl. + +"Say, listen, you kids--got any dates for tonight?" asked Mickey. + +"I ain't," said Evelyn. "Have you, Pearl?" + +"I haven't." + +"Well, there's three old guys, five days older than Hell, throwing an +all-night party in the Rio Bravo Hotel, and they asked me and Betty to +get as many girls as we could. There's plenty to drink, plenty to +eat--there will be lots of fellows there besides them old ones, and +there's a chance to make a few dollars, and if you can't make any +money--well--when they get drunk you can always go through their +pockets," said Mickey, in a voice that was supposed to be confidential, +but still could be heard at least a block away. + +"What do you say, Pearl?" asked Evelyn. + +"Do you think Harry will be there?" + +"Oh, Heavens, be calm," as she lifted her hands in supplication. + +"Yes," answered Mickey, "He'll be there; you couldn't keep him away from +them kind of parties. Last one Harry was on, he got so drunk he stripped +stark naked and did a Spanish down the hall." + +"I'll bet that was a sight," said Evelyn. + +"Oh, honey, that wasn't no sight at all--that big guy here they call Big +Boy, well--he was as drunk as Harry, and he got naked too, and took an +umbrella and opened it, and used it for a parachute when he jumped from +the second-story window." + +"Is that the Big Boy we know?" asked Pearl. + +"I don't know how well you know him," answered Mickey, "but it's the one +you was out in the car with last night." + +"Why, jumping out of a second-story window like that, it's a wonder he +didn't break his neck." + +"Pearl, dear," said Evelyn, "It wasn't his neck he lit on." + +"How did you know I was out in the car with Big Boy last night?" Pearl +asked Mickey. + +"Well--you see, I had been mixing my drinks, and I was sick, and I went +outside to heave. Well, I was sitting on the running board of the car on +the off side, when you all got in, but I didn't sit there long." + +"Why?" asked Evelyn. + +"Honey, riding a wild horse is tame beside trying to sit on that +fender," laughed Mickey. "Well, I'll see you all tonight at the party, +as soon as the bridge closes." She waved as she went on down the +street. + +"Don't you get sore at nothing anybody says to you--she is a good scout, +Pearl, and when you know her better you will like her, I'm sure." + +"Oh--Ev, why would I get sore--come, come, come--here is our car." +Pearl grabbed Evelyn's hand and started running for the car. + +"My Heavens," exclaimed Evelyn, "This street car reminds me of some +Madam's parlor--there's five girls I know--hello, gang." + +"O. K., Ev. How is the biggest liquor and beer consumer today?" asked +one of the girls. + +"I'm fine. Girls, this is Pearl. She is a newcomer in our midst, and a +good scout--Pearl, this is the girls--find out their names for yourself. +I knew what some of their names was last week, but only Heaven knows +what they are this week." + + +The girls smiled and said hello to Pearl, and all moved over for them to +sit down. + + +"Ev, what's this I hear about a party tonight at the Rio Bravo +Hotel--have you heard about it yet?" + +"Yeah--Mickey Finn, you know her, we just run into her at the corner, +and she told us about it, and said for us to come. Are you going?" + +"Sure, we all are." + +"Do you think it will be all right, Ev?" asked Pearl, under her breath. + +"I don't get you--how do you mean all right?" + +"Well, I've never been on an all-night party in Juarez--so naturally I'm +curious--but what I mean is--can you get away with much over here +without the Mexicans landing you in jail?" + +"As long as there ain't no murder, or absolute destruction of +property--you are pretty safe, but why bother--wait till you get in the +can before you start worrying about it." + + +Juarez, with its lights twinkling in the glowing dusk--with its midnight +purple mountains looking like big, futuristic pillows flanking it on +three sides, the skies screaming, flaming, gold, crimson, varied colors +of reds, shading into blue, darker blue, then deep blue, then to purple +in the far east, with the sounds of laughing, running, playing dogs and +children, sounds of a twanging guitar slightly out of tune, accompanied +by a nasal but sincere Mexican love song being sung to a Senorita with +dark eyes and broken, dirty teeth, and bosoms that would make a Holstein +cow's eyes bulge with envy--smells of all sorts drifted on the soft, +gentle breeze, of tortillas, of beans frying with cheese, of chili +sauces, of charcoal, of unwashed dirty bodies, of manure, both human +and animal. A street car rattling by with its cargo of brilliantly +painted cheeks, flashing smiles, syphilis-carrying, would-be, has-been, +and are-to-be whores. + +Signs advertising whiskeys, and liquors of all kinds, brilliant in +color, flashed in the deepening dusk, their utter defiance at the +American side of the border. The extra bartenders were coming on duty, +extra waiters were appearing in respective places, rubbing their hands +together like pawnbrokers, at the thought of the night's tips; at the +thought of what could be taken out of the pockets of one too drunk to +notice; at the thought of the tips that would be thrown at the +entertainers that would roll where they could stoop and pick it up +without being noticed; at the thought of drunken women's pocketbooks +that can so easily be gone into in a crowded place without fear of being +caught. This was Saturday night, the biggest night of the week. + + +"We are getting off here at the corner," said one of the five girls. "We +are going to start with the Gold Palace, Pearl; you and Ev come along +with us." + + +Evelyn started to rise. + + +"Thanks," said Pearl, as she caught Evelyn's arm, "We are going to ride +around to the Lobby No. 2. I've a friend around there to see on +business--but we will see you at the party, if not sooner. I hope you +all have some good luck tonight." + +"Thanks, honey," called one of the girls, "I'm damned if we don't need +it." + +"Why didn't you come on and get off and get a drink? I don't think Harry +is there yet--it's a little early for him." + +"Oh, Ev, I just can't wait." + +"Well, I admit you sure got it bad." + +"Say, how do these parties usually end, and where?" + +"They usually end in the Goddamnest fight, and just anywhere that they +didn't start," answered Evelyn. + +"Do you think this one will end that way?" + +"I can't see why this one should be any different from any of the rest; +besides, Mickey Finn is going to be there, and that's always the sign of +a fight." + + +Hugo's Lobby No. 2 was brilliantly lighted, as ever, and much less +crowded than the night before, owing to the early hour. As Pearl and +Evelyn walked in, there were about fifteen or twenty people at the bar, +and about three times as many in the cabaret having dinner. + + +"Hello, Henry," called Evelyn, "Two whiskeys for two ladies." + +"Coming up, Ev." + + +Pearl felt two cool hands slip over her eyes, and a soft voice in her +ear, that made her body quiver and caused a tight feeling in her +stomach. + + +"Guess who, darling," said the voice in her ear. + +"Hi--Harry, you big louse," came from Evelyn before Pearl could say a +word. + +"Oh, gee, Ev, you spoiled my game," said Harry poutingly. + +"She ain't no game, Harry--she's a sure thing," winked Evelyn. + + +Harry took Pearl in his arms, gave her a big hug, and then kissed her. + + +"Oh, Harry--what will people think?" + +"Look all around you," said Evelyn, "Not a soul has noticed you." + +"What are you having to drink, Harry?" asked the bartender. + +"Whiskey, pal," answered Harry; then to Pearl, "Listen, honey, are you +doing anything tonight? I'm going on a party, and it may be a bit rough, +but would you like to come? I know you will have a good time." + +"I know all about the party, darling, and Ev and I are both going, +aren't we, Ev?" + +"Sure thing." + +"Oh, that's great," said Harry. "Well, I got to be going now. I've got +to get that band to playing, and start a little excitement in there, or +the guests will kick. So long, honey, I'll see you at the party." + +"Oh, Henry, another whiskey for me," called Evelyn. "What do you want, +dear--whiskey or smelling salts?" + +"Both," answered Pearl. + +"Do you really like him as much as that? No kidding, come clean." + +"Honestly, cross my heart, I love him--like Hell." + +"Well, suppose you catch another dame cooing over him, and making love +to him in a big way--then what?" + +"I'd cut enough meat off her rear end to feed the dogs for a week," said +Pearl, viciously. + +"Well, I admit there are a lot of rear ends in this town that could +stand a little cut off here and there, but some of them are so tough you +would have to use a hack-saw to do it," tittered Evelyn. "Did you ever +stop to think that Big Boy might feel the same way about you that you +feel about Harry? Have you stopped to think of that, and have you +stopped to think Harry might feel about you the way you feel about Big +Boy? Now, honey, don't think I'm butting in, cause I ain't, but think +about it, will you?" + + +The Rio Bravo Hotel, on the Sixteenth of September Street, is the Class +A hotel of the town. With the street cars running in front of it, with +the railroad track on the side of it, a rip-snorting bar under it, and +the numerous parties going on inside of it, it would hardly be a place +one would pick out to spend a quiet evening, or get a night's sleep--so +when one goes to the Rio Bravo, one does not go for anything less than a +party--or maybe to earn two dollars, but, of course, that takes but a +matter of a few minutes--in Juarez, but as so many of the local +population figure, why spend a dollar for a room when there are so many +dark nooks and corners off the main street, and parked cars, whether +your own or someone else's. + +The rooms in this establishment are furnished with only the bare +necessities of a room--a bed, a chair, sometimes a rocker, sometimes +with the rockers broken off, but still used as a chair, a rug on the +floor, but never a big one, or a good one, and the bathroom, but never +in the history of Juarez has the hotel water heater ever been known to +work, never any toilet paper, but a pile of newspapers stacked in the +corner, a mirror, a cracked one, but still usable, if you are not +particular--and one seldom is--when one is on a party. + +It was twelve-thirty, the mad rush for the International bridge was +over, the gates separating the two republics were closed until six +o'clock in the morning. + + +"Think we better stop and have some coffee before we go on up to the +hotel, what do you think?" said Evelyn, as she and Pearl walked arm in +arm unsteadily up the street. + +"If we gotta do a lot of drinking up there, it wouldn't be a bad idea," +answered Pearl. "Here's as good a place as any." She took Evelyn's arm +and turned her into a little Mexican cafe. + + +They sat and sipped their coffee for a while, said nothing to each +other, or to anyone else, as they were the only ones in the place except +the little weezened black waiter, who could easily have been mistaken +for a Negro, had it not been for his straight black hair. + + +"All through?" asked Evelyn. + +"Yeah--let's get going and see what this joint of joy is going to be +like." + + +They left the place, and walked up the street toward the Rio Bravo. As +they were crossing the railroad tracks next to the hotel, Evelyn +stopped, "Good Lord, look coming--there's Ruby, Myrtle, Betty, Billie, +Lillian, Virginia, Annie, Laura, Irene, Marie, and I don't know any of +the others." + + +"Well, we must not be late for the party, anyhow, seeing that they are +just arriving." + +"Jees--there's probably twice that many already up there," answered +Evelyn. + +"Where do they all come from?" + +"A party in this town does the same thing to these Hookers that cheese +does to rats." + +"Let's wait a minute and let them go on in," said Pearl. + + +They waited until the girls had disappeared: "Come on, dearie, we might +as well go on and crash it and see what's going on." They went up the +steps and into the lobby, which was rather bare, with nothing but a few +leather chairs, showing considerable use, and a desk at the back near +the stairs. + +"Oh, Senorita Evelyn, I have not see you for so long time, I have near +forget what you look like," bowed the clerk, who was possessed of a +monstrous stomach. + +"Hi--Guts--we are looking for that party that's going on here tonight." + +"A thousand pardons, Senorita, there is five parties going tonight. You +will look and see which one you are invited to. I need not go up with +you--you will hear these parties long before you see them. Have a very +good time, Senorita." + +"Come back here, you slut--do you hear me--come back here with my leg," +came a voice, as Evelyn and Pearl neared the second floor. + +"You can just go to Hell, you cheap, lousy bastard, having the nerve to +promise me two dollars, and then when I'm ready to go, you saying you +wasn't going to give me a dime--Goddam you, you just try and get this +leg back," said Mickey Finn, as she came to the head of the stairs, with +an artificial leg under her arm, with the shoe and sock still on it. + +"What's the trouble, Mickey?" asked Evelyn, as she and Pearl came up. + +"Why, can you believe a guy would have the nerve to pull a trick like +that on me--promising me my money, and then not giving it to me? I'm +taking this leg and hock it--to Hell with him--the thing that makes me +sore is anyone trying to pull a lousy trick like that on me--can you +believe it?" fumed Mickey. + +"Come back here with my leg, you bitch. If I get my hands on you, I'll +wring your damn neck." + +"Go to Hell," screamed Mickey, "You'll pay me more than two dollars to +get this leg back." + +"Pipe down, Mickey," shushed Evelyn, "If Guts hears you, he'll raise +Hell right." + +"A thousand pardons, Senoritas, but what is this trouble--and you--what +are you doing with the Senor's leg?" came the voice of Guts from behind +the trio. + +"You seen me come in here with this guy, didn't you, Guts? He paid for +the room, didn't he? Well, after he had his fun he refused to pay me my +two dollars, and I'm damned if I ain't taking his false leg for the +bill--and come to think of it, what have you got to say about it? Are +you for me, or are you against me? You remember, I know of a couple of +dirty deals I could tell the Custom and Federal authorities about--and +by God, you know me, Guts," frothed Mickey. + +"Ah, Senorita--I am so sorry. Why you did not call me before? You are my +friend, and no one can say different," answered Guts, as he pulled his +enormous belly up, and with a scowl on his near-black face, started down +the hall toward the half-opened door. + +"Take that leg away from that slut," ordered the man, leaning against +the dresser to support himself, as Guts and the three girls came into +the room. + +"Why have you refuse to pay the Senorita?" asked Guts. + +"Refuse to pay her--why, the damn liar--I have paid her." + +"You are just lying because there's some other people here. You ain't +give me a red cent, and what's more, you are giving me ten dollars or +I'm taking the leg. Ain't I right, Guts?" + +"Si, Senorita, you are right." + +"Hand the leg over and I'll give you the ten dollars to get rid of you." + +"All right, I'll give it to you, but don't you try to pull nothing funny +or I'll take that thing away from you again, and beat the Hell out of +you with it," said Mickey, as she handed him the leg. + +"Thanks," said the man, as he took the leg, and reached down the top of +it and pulled out a roll of bills, "Here's your ten," as he dug it out +of a roll of fifties and hundreds. + +"I'll be damned!" said Mickey, as they all left the room, "That's what I +get for getting chicken-hearted, and giving it back to him. Every time I +get sympathetic I lose money." + +"Cheer up, Mickey--let's find the drinks," said Evelyn. + +"Well, you ain't got far to look. They are right above us on the next +floor," answered Mickey, as she made for the stairs. + +"Well, nobody can't say it ain't starting off well--if we all don't end +in the Mex jail, it will be a miracle of fate." + + +As they reached the third floor a sight greeted their eyes that would +have made the old Roman gatherings look like child's play. There were +couples everywhere in the hall, some fully dressed, some partially +dressed, others practically nude, all oblivious of each other, while in +the room there were less clothes but many more bodies, laying around on +the floor, sprawled on chairs, on the bed, on the bathroom floor, while +the bathtub was piled high with ice and bottles of every description; +the connecting room to the bathroom had been opened, and an old +phonograph was scratching the Mexican National Anthem, while a couple +scantily clad, both male and female, in ladies' step-ins, insisted on +doing their idea of the rhumba, which consisted mostly of the male part +of the team goosing the female with the third finger of the hand, while +she leaped, and screamed, with elephantine grace, much to the joy of the +spectators, who were beginning to undress and join the dance, midst +shouts and screams of gaiety. + + +Of the three hosts that gave the party, two had passed to the realm of +unconsciousness, while the third sat stark nude on the dresser, with his +toupee in one hand, and a bottle of whiskey in the other, wasting no +time in trying to join his friends in the happy state of +unconsciousness. + + +"Looks like good pickings to me," said Mickey. "Everybody is +undressed--it won't be no trouble to go through their pockets." + +"Good God, the bathroom is the place we are looking for. That is where +all the drinks are. Come, come, my dear, let us not waste time," said +Evelyn, as she stepped over the sprawled bodies on the floor. + +"Jees, this takes the prize--I been on lots of parties, but never on one +like this," said Pearl, as she followed Evelyn, who by this time was +opening a fresh, cold bottle of whiskey. + +"Why, the Hell--will they put whiskey on ice." + +"Well, you couldn't expect anybody in this condition to know any +different, could you, Ev?" + +"You couldn't expect people who get in this condition to give a damn in +the first place," said Evelyn, as she took a long swig of the freshly +opened bottle, "Even I don't care after the first ten drinks." + +"Quick--give me a slug of that stuff--if I ever get sober on a thing +like this, and actually realize what it's all about, I'd do a nose dive +out of my hotel window some morning," said Pearl, as Evelyn handed her +the bottle. "Come to think of it--I ain't seen hide nor hair of Harry, +and he said he would be here." + +"Well, Pearl, dear, when you see a pile of whores about ten deep, dig to +the bottom of them and you will find Harry--at least, that's where he +usually is." + +"Oh--Jees--that's lousy whiskey--open another bottle--that tastes like +tobacco juice." + +"There's going to be trouble here this night as sure as the world +stands--" said Evelyn under her breath. "I just saw Juan Moros pass the +door--and that's a bad sign, as sure as you're born." + +"Who is Juan Moros?" + +"He's the boy friend of Negro Noche, and he has been on the trail of +Irene, the blonde girl that came in with the crowd we saw come in just +ahead of us. You know Irene, the tall blonde--he is crazy about her." + +"Well, what's that got to do with us?" asked Pearl. + +"Plenty--and in more ways than one--Negro Noche is the one woman in the +town to be afraid of. She has been pulled in by the government officials +several times for smuggling dope over the border into the United +States--but they have never been able to convict her. She was arrested +not long ago for smuggling Chinese across, and several attempts have +been made to frame her, but no one has ever been able to pin it on her, +and now she has threatened to kill any woman that she catches the boy +friend with, and what's more, Irene is crazy about him. Now, ain't that +cause for trouble?" + +"Well, I can't see what that has got to do with this party. He is here +and so is Irene, but that is no cause for trouble--surely she wouldn't +come up here and start trouble," reasoned Pearl. + +"Which proves conclusively that you don't know Negro Noche." + +"You might add that I don't want to." + +"Well--well, hello, Henry, you devil--I thought you went home to your +wife every night," said Evelyn, as a bartender she knew came into the +bathroom. + +"Well," laughed Henry, "She can't say nothing if I don't get through +work in time, and get locked on this side of the river, can she?" + +"Not unless you pull that gag once too often--here, have a drink," as +she offered him the bottle. + +"Well, Pearl, what do you think of the party?" asked Henry, as he +turned to Pearl, who was looking out into the other room, trying to see +Harry. + +"Henry, my darling, since you inquire, I think it is the most charming +affair--in fact, I've never been on a party where so little +self-consciousness was present--in plain English, it is the damndest +thing I've ever seen--let's drink to it," as she raised her bottle and +clinked it against his. + + +The phonograph in the adjoining room had stopped, but everyone was +singing instead. Everybody had joined the first couple in the rhumba, +making the scene more hilarious by not having any clothes on at all. + + +"Hi, baby," said Harry, as he staggered into the bathroom. + +"Oh, Harry, I'm glad you came. I was afraid you might change your mind," +said Pearl, happily. + +"Where you are concerned, baby, I never change my mind--let's have a +drink." + +"Come on, Henry," said Evelyn, "Let's leave these two in here. It's +plain to be seen they don't need us." + +"Ev, you're a damn good mind-reader," said Harry. "Here, take a couple +more bottles with you, so you won't have to bother us." + +"Thanks, I'll just do that little thing," as she took two extra bottles. + +"Ah, baby--I want you so," said Harry, as he pulled Pearl to him and +smothered her with kisses. "Come on, let's undress and go in the next +room and join the dance." + +"Oh, no, Harry, I've never done anything like that." + +"Oh, baby--baby--don't you trust me? Have another drink." + +"Yes, but--" + +"No buts," said Harry, as he began to unfasten her dress. "Come on, I'll +help you undress and then you have to help me." + +"Harry--please--I don't really want to undress." + +"You see--you see--you don't love me, that proves it." + +"Oh, yes I do, Harry--I like you so much, but I can't see where my +undressing could have anything to do with it." + +"That just proves it--proves it right there--you don't care a thing +about me." + +"Harry, if you were sober you wouldn't do a thing like this. I'm not +sober by any means myself, but I don't want to undress." + +"You see--you just want to spoil my whole night." + +"Oh, all right--if my stripping will make you happy, I might as well +strip--give me that bottle. I'll have to get a little drunker to enjoy +this--here goes," as she put the bottle to her mouth, taking long, big +swallows. + +"Atta girl--I knew you would be a good scout," as he tried to help her +get her dress off over her head. + +Pearl took off her dress, laid it over a chair, took off her step-ins, +laid them with her dress, keeping only her shoes and stockings on. + +"Oh, gee, baby--you sure look good to me--I'm just crazy about you." + +"All right--you keep your word--you undress, too." + +"Sure, I'll undress," said Harry, as he started to take off his pants, +shirt, and underwear, and laid them on the chair with Pearl's things, +standing before her in only his shoes and socks. + +"Let's have a couple more drinks, Harry, darling--you know, I believe +I'm going to enjoy this after all." + +"I know I am," as he put his huge arms around her cool, pink body. + +"Well--so help me--what the Hell is coming off here?" said Evelyn, as +she came into the bathroom, her face blank in wonderment. + +"Oh, Jees--this is great--let's have a drink," said Henry, as he came in +behind Evelyn. "You know, Ev, we might as well join the merry, mad +gang--what do you say?" + +"I dare you, Henry," answered Evelyn, as she started to strip with +speed. + +Pearl, in Harry's arms, leaped into the milling, singing, drinking, +wrestling mob, in the semi-dark room, held tight in each others' arms, +naked bodies rubbed against each other, strangers kissed passionately, +lovers kissed more passionately, enemies kissed less passionately, but +kissed--in their drunken orgy they had forgotten what they were enemies +about--couples who had been dancing longer than the others fell on the +floor, locked in each others' arms, their legs stuck grotesquely in the +air above them, while their burning wet lips were pressed tightly +against each others' mouths, stopping only long enough to take a drink. + +A shriek from the bathroom--Evelyn and Henry leaped into the mob, naked +as the rest--"Shake it up, baby," screamed Evelyn, as she and Henry in a +tight embrace started singing and dancing with the rest; as the other +couples fell to the floor newer and fresher couples joined the +throng--only to fall later on the floor, to continue the party with mad, +wet kisses, and--? + +"My snow-white darling, I have love you so veer long, I weel never love +but you--I have never love no one but you--only you--my darling--my +darling--" came a soft voice near Pearl's ear, and as she looked +closely, she saw it was the tall, handsome Moros, with the blonde Irene +in his arms. + +"Get your Goddam foot out of my face," yelled a drunken voice. + +"My humble pardon, Senor--I am looking for some one," answered the deep, +sober voice of a Mexican woman. + +"Why the Hell don't you turn on the light, then?" + +"That, Senor, is a veer good idea," as she returned to the door and +snapped on a flood of bright, red light. + +Couples that were still on their feet, stopped dead still. Couples that +were on the floor, stopped whatever they were doing--all looking towards +the door, where the Mexican woman was standing, her hand still on the +light button. Not a soul moved. + +Negro Noche stood motionless--her pock-marked face covered with a heavy +layer of snow white powder that is typical of all Mexican women. Eyes +gleaming, breathing heavily, she pulled a heavy, dark-blue, 45-calibre +automatic from under her dirty coat, as a grim smile broke the +death-like mask that was her face. Six shots rent the dead silence. Juan +and Irene lay in each others' arms, just as they had a few minutes +before, but they knew it not. Negro Noche had accomplished her +purpose--her lover and her rival were to annoy her no more--the gun +silent in her hand, finger still on the light button, a blue wisp of +smoke rose from the end of the gun, as the blood from the two bodies +rapidly spread on the cheap, worn carpet--pandemonium broke loose. + +Pearl ran into the bathroom to get her clothes--Evelyn was already +there--"My God, what will we do?" asked Pearl. + +"This ain't no time to sing Frankie and Johnnie--don't wait to put your +clothes on--run for it," answered Evelyn, as she grabbed Pearl and +started for the hall. + +Women were screaming, crying--men were yelling and cursing, running up +and down the hall, some too excited to realize that they had on no +clothes--others just running around in circles. + +As Evelyn and Pearl came to the stairs, Guts was on his way up. He +started to ask Evelyn and Pearl what had happened, but they brushed by +and on down the stairs. As they rounded the second floor, they saw +Mickey Finn on her hands and knees looking through a key-hole. + +"My God, Mickey," said Evelyn, excitedly, "Don't waste no time--get out +of here quick." + +"What's happened--what was all them shots?" as she rose off her knees +and came to them. + +"Negro Noche--shot Juan and Irene--don't waste a minute--we have got to +get on the U. S. side somehow." + +They all three ran down the stairs into the lobby, and out the front +door, onto the street. + +"Down the railroad tracks towards the bridge." + +"We can't cross that bridge," said Mickey. + +"I know it," answered Evelyn, "but it's dark down that way, and we can +put our clothes on--come on," as they ran down the tracks. + +They stopped in the deep darkness and put their clothes on. + +"Now, listen to me," said Evelyn, "I have a plan. We will get back over +on Lysol Lane, and go in one of those all-night bars, and I'll telephone +to Tony, a taxi driver I know, where to meet us." + +"Do you think it will work?" asked Pearl. + +"It's got to," said Mickey, as they started. + +"Now, you two stand around the corner--I'll stagger in this dump, as +though nothing had happened, and use the phone." + +"Can't I go with you?" + +"No, you stay with Mickey--if they see all three of us they will be sure +to suspect something, and I don't crave to get mixed up in this +mess--stand back there in the dark," as she put on her best drunken +smile and staggered into the place. + +"Hi, Senor--can a lady use your phone?" + +"Si, Senorita--right this way," he led her over to the phone booth in +the corner. + +"Gracia, Senor," as she went in and closed the door, lifted the +receiver--"El Paso operator, please--Hello--El Paso operator--give me +Main Eight-Eight--Yeah--Hello, all-night taxi? Let me talk to Tony. +What--Oh, that's you, Tony? Listen, get a load of this--this is Ev, you +know--yeah--take one of the plain cars you got there, and cruise along +the Smelter Road near the Southern Pacific bridge, and look out for +three of us. No--no--no--it's not liquor--don't ask questions over the +phone--make it snappy--good-bye." She hung up the receiver, and +staggered out of the booth. "Adios, Senor," as she went out the door and +around the corner, to Mickey and Pearl. + +"I just heard the ambulance and the police wagon going up the street," +said Mickey. + +"Tony is going to meet us up on the Smelter Road," said Evelyn. "We'll +go down these side streets until we get to the river, and then we'll +follow the levee on around to where it is only about twenty feet wide, +and about three feet deep. I know the very place. We won't have any +trouble if we hurry--come on." So saying, they started for the river, +down dark alleys and side streets, of which there are plenty in Juarez. + +They stumbled on through the darkness, half running, sometimes walking. +"I'm sure I hear someone following us," said Pearl, as they neared the +river. + +"Your life ain't worth two cents over here in this section at this hour +of the night," answered Evelyn. + +"Let's run," said Mickey, as they started on down the levee. + +"How far is this place you know about, Ev?" asked Pearl, out of breath, +as they slowed to a fast walk again. + +"About a mile or more," answered Evelyn, "But it's our only chance." + +It seemed like ten miles to the three, as they ran stumbling through the +darkness, when a flare lit up the sky ahead of them to the right. + +"What's that?" asked Pearl. + +"Thank Heaven, it's the smelter," said Mickey. "We are almost there." + +"Here's the place I mean," said Evelyn, as she pointed to a very narrow +place in the river. "Now, let's all take hands, and hold tight. The only +thing we have to be careful of is the quicksands--they are as +treacherous as Hell," as they started to wade into the river. + +"Watch your step," said Evelyn. + +"Jees--that water is cold--hold tight to my hand, Pearl, and don't let +go," said Mickey, as she took hold of Pearl, who was in the middle. + +"We are in the midst of a lot of quicksand here--I can't seem to find +bottom any further than I am standing. Let go of me, Pearl, and I'll +wade around a bit and see if I can find a more solid place." + +"Oh, God--now, Ev, don't do that. Don't let go at all here in the +water--we will all wade together." + +"Hold tight, then, and we will wade up the side here a ways, and maybe +we will find more solid bottom," as they started up the side of the +stream. + +Slowly they waded in until they were in about five feet of the bank. + +"I think we are going to make it all right," said Evelyn, as she was +almost jerked off her feet by Pearl falling to her knees in the water, +and Mickey went out of sight. + +"Hold on to me," gasped Pearl, "I've still got hold of her--she is in a +sand-hole," as she rose to her feet, pulling Mickey's head above water, +helping her to get solid footing again. + +Evelyn reached back and took hold of Mickey's free hand, and slowly they +reached the bank and climbed out on solid ground again. + +"Are you all right, Mickey?" came from Evelyn and Pearl at the same +time. + +"Yeah--I'm O. K., but I'd been a goner if Pearl hadn't had a good hold +on me. That hole I fell in back there didn't have no bottom, at least, I +didn't feel any--My God, what a night," as she stooped over and felt of +her stockings to see if her money was still there. "Yeah, I still got my +money, but I'll have to dry it, but wet money is better than no money." + +"Listen--what is that I hear? It sounds--there it is--somebody trying to +catch another car--it's the police siren and it's coming this way as +sure as you're born," said Evelyn, "I'll go up near the road and see if +I see anything of Tony. You watch me and when you see me motion to you, +come a-running, because if we are caught at this, it will be just too +bad," as she started toward the road. + +"Stoop down," said Mickey, "We will keep low to the ground and go as +close to the road as we can, so we won't have far to run when Ev +motions." + +Bright lights came into sight, of a speeding car coming from town, as +Evelyn came up on the edge of the road, and as the car came near her, +its brakes began to scream, as lights following it came into view, with +the shrieking of the police siren. + +"Quick, get in," said the voice of a man, as the car came to a stop. +"The cops are wise." + +"Oh, Jees, where are Pearl and Mickey?" as she jerked the door of the +car open. + +"Here," as they came alongside of Evelyn. + +Tony shifted the gears of the car, and was moving, as the three pulled +and helped each other in, the other car nearing, with the siren +screaming louder and louder. Tony shot into the night. "Lay down on the +floor, girls, and get ready for the ride of your life. If I can beat the +cops to the fork of the Mesa road, we have a chance--if not--we are +jail-house bound for some time to come." + +"What the Hell are we passing that's throwing all that light," asked +Pearl. + +"It's some cement company," answered Evelyn, as they went into darkness +again. + +"Hey, Tony, how do you think they found out about this?" asked Mickey. + +"One of them lousy telephone operators tipped them off, that is the only +way they could have found out--the dirty fluzey." + +"Good God--I hope we get away from them all right," murmured Pearl, as +the car lurched and shot through the deepening dark. + +"Are we leaving them behind yet, Tony?" + +"Not yet we ain't, not till we get off these curves, but when we get on +that straight stretch of road, I'll leave 'em plenty far behind." + +"Hey, Tony," said Evelyn, as she got up on her knees, with her hands on +the back of the front seat, "You don't think they could have sent a car +out on the Mesa road, maybe to head us off, do you?" + +"Well, that's a chance we got to take, but I don't think they would have +had time even if they had thought, which they probably didn't--but I'll +tell you something--we gotta leave that bunch quick when we hit that +straight piece of road, if we don't they will try to shoot the rear +tires off. You girls stay on the floor, in case they do shoot." + +"O. K., Tony," said Evelyn, as she got back down on the floor. + +"Get ready, girls, we are coming to that straight part," as the car +fairly felt like it was leaving the earth. + +"We must be doing seventy or more--at least, if anything does happen +while we are going this fast, we won't have to worry about it, anyhow," +said Mickey, as she lay jouncing in her wet, sloppy dress, covered with +sand and mud. + +"I hope you don't take cold, Mickey. You know you got your head wet. I +was lucky, that's the only thing I didn't get wet," from Pearl. + +"Well--" said Evelyn, "If them guys start shooting at us, there'll be +more water in the car, and it won't have come from the river." + +"I wonder what became of Harry?" + +"I'll bet he ain't worrying about you," said Evelyn. + +"I don't know--at least, I hope he won't get in jail." + +"Jail, Hell," said Mickey, "He came down them steps ahead of you two, +and I mean way ahead of you. Them shots hadn't no more than stopped when +Harry come down so fast it would take two people to see him, one to see +him coming and one to see him going." + +"What was that hit the car?" asked Evelyn, as she raised up. + +"Just a bullet bouncing off--but they will have to shoot fast now, I'm +doing eighty--and what's more, I'm leaving them behind. We will be +fairly safe in a minute or so, unless as you said, Ev--about the other +car on the Mesa road, and I don't think we will have any trouble from +that." + +"Damn, I hope not--I'd hate to have to sit in jail with these wet +clothes on," said Mickey. + +"I don't care much about setting in jail wet or dry." + +"You two don't have to worry--Tony is a good driver, and we got a good +chance of getting away," reasoned Evelyn. + +"Well, suppose they start looking for us, to question us?" asked Pearl. + +"Well--" said Evelyn, "Here's our story--this goes for you too, +Tony--Pearl, you stayed with me tonight in my apartment--and you, Tony, +you stayed with Mickey, and remember, we all went to bed about +twelve-thirty, and don't let them jar you loose from that story, so if +we all tell the same story, and stick to it, what can they do?" + +"Look what a break you're getting, Tony," laughed Mickey, "You stayed +with me tonight." + +"I suppose you are going to tell me now that I owe you two dollars," +laughed Tony, "But say--what the Hell happened over there--a fight?" + +"Hell, no, I wish it had been only a fight--but it wasn't--Negro Noche +shot her boy friend and Irene." + +"Jees, Ev, are they both dead?" + +"Yeah--they never knew what hit them." + +"No wonder you were so anxious to get back on this side tonight." + +"How soon before we reach that Mesa fork, Tony?" asked Mickey. + +"In just a few minutes now--look back and see how close those lights +are." + +"Oh, Hell," answered Evelyn, as she looked out the back of the car. +"They are damn near out of sight, Tony." + +"Good--we'll make it all right now--hold tight back there--I'm making +the turn--we are nearing the fork." The screaming of rubber on the +concrete, as the big car turned the corner on two wheels. "Now, you +girls can get on the seat and rest a bit, instead of laying on that +floor, all crowded up." + +"Another night like this and I'll swear off for good," said Mickey, as +she sat up on the seat. + +"Swear off what?" asked Evelyn. + +"Well, off booze, for one thing." + +"You swore off once before, didn't you?" + +"Yeah--and that very night I was arrested in El Paso for Vag." + +"How long was you off liquor?" + +"Till I got out of jail." + +"How long was that?" + +"Two hours." + +The car was moving at a terrific rate of speed, up grade, and down +grade. "See if you see any lights coming behind us," said Tony. + +"We won't be able to tell until you reach the top of the next grade, but +I'll keep a sharp look-out," answered Evelyn, as she turned half around +in the seat. + +"Just think," said Pearl, "This time last night I was on this road about +this time, but how different it was." + +"Well, I've been on this road plenty of times, and no two times have +been alike," answered Mickey. + +"There's lights coming, Tony, but they are a long ways back, and it may +not be the police car, anyhow." + +"O. K., Ev, but I'll just keep moving pretty fast." + +"Listen, Ev, will you come over and stay with me tonight?" asked Pearl. + +"Why?" + +"Well, I don't want to spend the rest of the night alone--will you?" + +"Sure." + +They came into the city limits, but there was no sign of trouble. Tony +slowed down to an ordinary speed, so as not to attract attention. + +"Listen--" said Mickey, "Why don't you two come and spend the night at +our place--we have a furnished house, five rooms, three bedrooms, +living-room, kitchen, and all that goes with it--you know the place, Ev, +that little brick house me and Betty rented out on Myrtle Avenue. What +do you say?" + +"Whatever Pearl says is all O. K. with me," answered Evelyn. + +"Well, I have something to drink out there." + +"Good," said Pearl, quickly. "We'll go." + +"Hey, Tony, you know where my joint is, don't you?" + +"I should, by this time. I've took you there enough--when you was so lit +you didn't know where it was yourself." + +They arrived at Mickey's place in a few minutes, and it was just as +Mickey had described it, and very tastily furnished in pinks and blues, +with a faint odor of incense in the still, cool air. + +"Come on in, Tony, and have a drink," as the girls got out of the car. + +"O. K." + +They went into the rooms, snapping on the lights, then all heading for +the kitchen by instinct. Pearl called Evelyn aside--talking in low +tones, as Mickey got out the bottle of whiskey and set it on the table. + +"Help yourself, Tony, while I see what the conference is about." + +"What do you think?" + +"What do I think about what?" + +"About how much to pay Tony for his trouble tonight," said Evelyn. + +"Well," from Pearl. "If it hadn't been for him, I don't know what we +would have done, and I think we should at least give him ten dollars +apiece--what do you think?" + +"It's all right by me, and here's my ten to prove it," as she dug the +wet money out of her stocking. + +Both Evelyn and Pearl dug into their clothes from the neck, and produced +the ten apiece. + +"Tony," said Evelyn, as she turned to where he was standing, "Will +thirty bucks be all right for your trouble tonight?" + +"Ah--nuts. Pay me my regular three bucks and forget about the rest. You +have to work pretty hard for that money, and what's more, I got a real +kick out of that run tonight." + +"The Hell you say," from Pearl. "You take this dough--what do you think +we are? I admit I'm new down here, and you are a good scout, but you +ain't no friend of mine if you don't take this," as she handed the money +toward him. + +"Girlie, you're a good scout, and I tell you what I'll do. If it will +make you feel any better, I'll take it--but remember this--when you +want anything from me, or want me to take you any place or do anything +for you, and you ain't got the dough--call me, and any time you need +some dough yourself--I know you girls run short lots of times--don't +forget--call me. Now, I'll be going," as he took his cap and started for +the door. + +"Good-bye," from all three girls. + +"If I hear anything, I'll give you a ring on the phone and tip you off," +as he closed the door behind him. + +"Hell's Fire. Give me a drink, quick," said Evelyn, as she began to +undress where she stood. "I've seen funny sights, but I would have loved +to have been a bystander and seen us three wading across that river. It +wasn't funny then, but Mickey, when you come up out of that water, I +almost broke down, as dark as it was down there, you was funny +looking--" laughingly. + +"It's a damn good thing Pearl had as good hold on me as she had, or I'd +been a goner." + +"Do you think there will be much of a stink about this killing? You +know, Irene is an American citizen, and she was shot on the Mex side," +said Pearl. + +"Well--" said Evelyn slowly, "You can't tell just what will come of +this. The real trouble will come from Juan Moros' people, if there is +any trouble at all. His old man is a political power down in that +country--" + +"That shows what you know about it," said Mickey bitterly. "When +anything happens to an American outside of the U. S., it's just too bad. +When trouble starts down here the American Consul is the first one to +run for the bridge. Our government figures that if you are out of your +own country, that's your business--and it's your business to protect +yourself. Look at Nicaragua, Panama, Haiti, as well as our nearby +Mexico. When anyone of our American citizens are knocked off, said +government sends a note of apology to our Consul, saying they are +sorry--but that don't bring your life back. Believe me, if you are an +American, and you're in some other country, my advice is to keep your +mouth shut, or affect an English accent." + +"Well, surely they will do something with that woman that did the +shooting," argued Pearl. + +"But my God, Ev, she killed one of her own people, and in cold blood." + +"Yes, dear--he was a Mex, all right, but when she tells the Mex judge +how he broke her heart, and how she found him in the arms of a +milk-white Gringo--it's a ten-to-one shot that the judge will weep for +her broken heart, and tell her that she has done her country a favor--in +shooting a cur that would so scorn his own countrywoman." + +"Well, you said that there might be trouble from his people, that his +father was a big Mex politician." + +"Well, in that case, if his father isn't tied up at the present in some +revolution of his own, he may come here--or send one of his loyal men, +and cut Negro Noche loose from some of her vital spots." + +"I've been on some hot parties, and I've seen a lot of things happen, +but tonight takes the prize," mused Pearl. + +"There's not much of the night left," said Mickey. "Let's get to bed and +sleep a little of this off." + +"Pearl, didn't I hear you say you had a date with Big Boy this +afternoon--to go swimming?" + +"Yeah--he asked me, and you, too, Ev." + +"Are you going?" + +"Sure, might as well. I can't lose nothing--I'll get up around noon and +go over to the room, and wait for him." + +"You'll probably find him at the room waiting for you, if I know +anything about men, and if I don't know anything about 'em, there ain't +nobody who does. Where did Mickey go?" + +"I'm in bed," came from one of the bedrooms. "You two pick out the bed +you want to sleep in and go to it when you are ready. Good night." + +"Good night." + +"Say, I'm ready to turn in now, are you, Pearl?" + +"Yeah--let's have another little drink before we go to bed." + +"That's my idea, too--a drink--and a big one," said Evelyn. + +"Listen, Ev--when I made up my mind to come down here, I only had one +thought in mind, and that was to stay a little while and make some +money, and get away while I could--you know what I mean, to get--well, +to get away before it got me--do you know what I mean?" + +"Sure, Kid, I know what you mean, only you're too damn nice to say it +for fear of hurting my feelings. You mean to get away before you get +like me--and Mickey--and that gang you were with tonight." + +"Well, I don't quite mean it like that--I mean--" + +"Listen, honey, I know just how you feel--I only hope you can do what +you want to. When I came down here, I had the same idea, but I let this +damn place get me. Now I couldn't leave it, no matter how hard I tried. +I guess the only way I'll ever leave it is in a box." + +"I don't quite know what to do. I'm kind of puzzled since tonight--the +party, the shooting, and all. Maybe I've had a little too much to +drink--or not enough--I--I--well, I ought never, never think, nobody +should ever think, especially about the past--Oh, well, let's have +another drink." + +"Well, if you could be bothered with Big Boy, you could feather your +nest for good--honey, that means an awful lot these days--not having to +worry about the rent, not having to put up with men that you hate the +sight of, especially when you have to be nice, to make the lousy two +dollars that they hand out grudgingly, and think that they are doing you +a good turn--but, of course, if you can't go him--well, what's the use +to try?" + +"I've been thinking about that myself--and I'm afraid it wouldn't work +out. First, I don't care a thing about him, and he would be so jealous +of me my life wouldn't be safe, if he caught me talking to anyone else, +and knowing what I've been, if he ever got mad at me he would be sure to +throw it up to me--and I'm afraid I couldn't stand that." + +"Well, if I'm not mistaken, you do care for somebody else, don't you? +And if my guess is right--it's Harry, ain't it?" + +"Yeah--you're right, all right, it's Harry. He don't even know my name, +and I don't know a thing about him, but Jees, how I love that kid--Ah, +nuts, one would be as bad as the other; I would be so jealous of Harry +every time he was out of my sight for five minutes, I'd think he was +with some other woman, and what's more, I'd be right--second, he is not +the marrying kind, that is, he don't marry my kind--that's damn certain. +Ah--to Hell with both of them, I'll take 'em all on that's got the +price. What the Hell am I mooning about? Let's have another drink." + +"O. K., we will have another drink, but Pearl, you are only fooling +yourself--you may say to Hell with them for now, but when you get up +today, you will feel different about them. I know--I've said the same +thing every night for the past five years. You can't settle it like +that--if it were only possible to settle one's feelings like that it +would make a lot of difference in people's lives--tomorrow you will go +on thinking you can see Harry every night, and how you can chisel Big +Boy at the same time, without the other being positive of just what you +are doing--Honey, I know what I'm talking about. Five years ago, when I +came to this border, I was the toast of the town--I know I don't look +it, but I was sure a looker in those days, and I had my way any time I +wanted it--but I was just like you--I was going to make a pile of +dough, and make a getaway while I could, and marry some good, honest, +quiet guy that would never suspect me of having been what I was. Yeah--I +was foolish, but--I guess we are all foolish like that at times--Oh, +God, if I could only call back those five years, what wouldn't I give, +but what's the use, I've drawn my own cards, it's up to me to play them. +You say you want to get out of this--then you take the money you have, +and what I've got, and you catch the first train--don't wait--don't wait +for anything--most of all, don't wait for your own thoughts to catch up +with you--just go and go quick, but you won't--what's the use--Oh, +what's the use." + +"You're right, Ev, what's the use? But there's one thing--I'm going to +do the thing I originally planned; I'm one Hooker that's going to get +the dough and make the getaway. I'm going to do just what you +suggested--I'm going to see Harry every time I can, and I'm going to get +all I can off Big Boy--come on, let's get some sleep." + +"Honey, I'm for you hook, line and sinker. I'll also take the bottle +and put it under the pillow in case I wake up thirsty." + +"You know, Ev, I've only known you for a little over twenty-four hours, +but it seems I've known you for years, and you're a damn good +scout--good night." + +"Good night, kid," said Evelyn, as she took a nip from the bottle. + +They went to bed, to sleep the sleep of the just, and the hours slipped +by as though they were seconds, until-- + +"My God, what is that, a fire alarm?" asked Evelyn, as she raised up in +bed. + +Pearl was still sleeping. + +"It's that damn phone," growled Mickey, as she stumbled to it. "Who the +Hell could be calling at this time of night--or day? Hello--what do you +want? What? Oh, it's you, Tony--what's up? Oh, yeah, have they been able +to trace the car, do you think? Do you think they will trace you? +Thanks, Tony, I'll see you later," as she hung up. + +"What's up," yelled Evelyn, from the bed. + +"Well, for one thing, there's headlines in the papers about the shooting +last night, and Tony said the police were down there this morning, and +questioned everybody on the place, and the boss lied and said that Tony +hadn't left the place between twelve and six this morning. He says he +don't know if they suspect him or not, and the police said there was +only one woman in the car--so they must be all balled up--what do you +think?" + +"What's all the trouble, and what time is it?" said Pearl, as she raised +up in bed. + +"It was Tony called," answered Evelyn. "What time is it, Mickey, or is +your time-piece working?" + +"It's one-thirty," called Mickey from the kitchen. + +"Oh, good Heavens, I must get to the room, I don't even remember what +time I had the date with Big Boy." + +"It don't matter what time you had the date with him--he'll wait if you +are late," from Evelyn, as she climbed slowly out of bed. "Oh, my, I'll +never be the same. I'm so stiff I can hardly stand up." + +"You spent all of last night getting that way," said Mickey. + +"Getting how?" + +"Getting stiff." + +"I know, Mickey dear, but the stiff I mean is not the kind of stiff you +mean." + +"You better be careful, Ev," said Pearl. "You might catch pneumonia from +being in that river." + +"You are wrong there--the only thing you will catch from being in that +river is hydrophobia, and I think I had that when I was a virgin," +laughed Evelyn. + +"Good Heavens, Ev," said Mickey, "Was you ever a virgin?" + +"Well, there has always been a doubt in my mind about that--you see, if +I ever was--it's been so long ago my memory fails to recognize the +fact." + +"It must be grand to be a virgin," from Pearl. + +"Yeah--but think of the fun you miss," said Mickey. "I sure remember the +time I stopped being a virgin, and do I remember the one who put a stop +to it!" + +"What was he like?" asked Pearl. "And--what was you like?" + +"Well, I was a big, green, corn-fed country girl, in the corn and Bible +belt in Kansas, wasn't hard to look at (of course, that's before I had +all these scars on this pan of mine)--and the guy--was the son of the +rural mail carrier, who had just come out of the Navy, and what he knew +was plenty, and I had always read what devils sailors were with the +women--I guess I was just as curious as he was ambitious. Come on in the +kitchen and I'll put the coffee on the stove, and finish my confession." + +"For God's sake, make that coffee strong--I sure need it," said Evelyn, +as she and Pearl followed Mickey in the kitchen, and sat down at the +table. "Oh, I forgot--I'll get the cups and saucers," as she rose from +the table and went to the cupboard. + +"Go ahead with that dirty story you started to tell us," said Pearl. +"One of my pet weaknesses is the true story of How, Why, and Where +Trollops like us three came from, and what caused it." + +"Well, as I was saying, I was as green as they come, and I had already +spurned, so to speak, the advances of the hired hand, which he made to +me one day in the barn. We drove to church as usual on Sunday, in the +Goddamndest rig you ever saw, a buckboard buggy with two horses. Dad and +Mother sat in the seat, and me, being the only child, I stood up in the +back and held on to the seat, and there I was, with my skirt and +underskirts and drawers starched so stiff that when I sat down it +sounded like somebody breaking macaroni in a cooking pot, hair done up +in the latest, two big buns over each ear--when I look back at that now, +I have all I can do to keep from screaming with laughter at the way I +must have looked. Well, I was introduced to Jerry at the church, and he +asked me if he could take me home in his buggy--that is, it was his old +man's buggy that he had borrowed for the purpose. Mother and Dad thought +it would be lovely if he drove me home, so they went on ahead when +church was over, and left me with Jerry. Of course, him having been +places and seen and done things, I was a pushover for him. When I look +back at it, I must have been a panic. He drove off the main road, and +said we should tie the horse, and go for a lovely walk under the trees. +I was timid at first, as we sat on the ground under an old pine tree. He +kissed me, and I wasn't so keen on it, then he took me in his arms, and +it done something to me, and I came right back at him. In my ignorance I +decided that I would show him that us country girls was just as up to +date as any of those girls he met in foreign countries, and I stopped at +nothing--well, that was the memorable time when I stopped being a +virgin." + +"I bet that was a sight," said Evelyn. + +"And how," from Pearl. + +"Ah, damn, that coffee would boil over--hey, Ev, get the cream out of +the ice-box, will you?" + +"I'll get it," said Pearl, as she rose from the table. "You haven't told +us what happened after that afternoon." + +"There's not a lot more to tell. Jerry got an awful crush on me, so I +thought--he came after me every evening or so, and took me for a +drive--and a walk, as well, and three months after that first Sunday +afternoon I began to blow up like somebody had been using a bicycle pump +on me, and then Jerry decided to re-enlist--which he did do, without +even saying good-bye--shortly after that my father found out all the +dirt, and he literally put his foot against my dainty behind, and kicked +me out, that being the proper thing to do to a wayward daughter in the +Bible belt, and me, I went from bad to worse, and then to Kansas +City--and by that time I had learned to step, and did I use to burn +Twelfth Street up. I'd start at the old Gaiety Theatre, on 12th and +Wyandotte Street, and on down 12th to McGee Street, then back on the +other side of the street. Sometimes I'd be a long time making the round, +but I made the money. That was in the days when Kansas City was good--a +girl could easily make twenty bucks in a night of hard labor, besides +what you could roll a guy for when he went to sleep--but eventually the +police gave me the works in the form of a floater out of town, and I +floated to Denver. Boy, Oh boy, will I ever forget Denver? Many's the +pair of heels I wore off on Curtis Street and many's the dollar I've +earned there--and from there to many places, till I arrived here, and +this will probably be my finish--but what the Hell, drink your coffee." + +"In that case, you blame the cause of your--well--the cause of this +life, on a man, then," from Evelyn. + +"I can't say I do--I'm what I am because I wanted to be--I need men. +When I went to Kansas City, I could have found a job of some kind, and +worked like thousands of girls do, but I didn't want to. I've never +wanted to be what is called decent. I think that a life like that would +be damn slow, and it's not in my nature to live like that. I love all +this excitement--all this uncertainty, and most of all, I could never be +true to one man, because--well, because when I see a man that arouses my +interest, I could never resist the impulse to satisfy my curiosity, +so--what good would I be with a husband--I'd only make the poor guy +miserable, or else cause him to kill me--I know me, like no one else +does." + +"You are right there, Mickey," said Pearl. "No girl ever went the wrong +way unless she wanted to--she may cry and say that a man made her what +she is, and that she would never have been so unless some man tricked +her--but down deep in her heart she wanted to be what she is. No girl +was ever really raped--unless she helped the process along a little. The +girls who have been raped, and really in their hearts didn't want to be, +were the only ones that have been found dead, after an awful fight. No +man can really rape a girl who doesn't want to be raped just a little. I +know from actual experience." + +"You're both right," said Evelyn, as she reached for the coffee pot, for +her second cup of coffee. "This coffee hits me right where I sit this +morning--it sure tastes good." + +"Well, I gotta get dressed and start for town. I gotta date with Big +Boy, but I can't for the life of me remember what time it was for. What +are you going to do tonight, Ev?" + +"I suppose I'll do the usual thing--go over the bridge." + +"Do you suppose there will be anything said to us about last night?" + +"I don't see how they can say anything--we weren't caught doing +anything, and there's no proof that we were mixed up in that mess, and +we weren't caught coming over the border, so--what can they say?" + +"Yeah--I guess you're right at that--well, I'll see you later," as she +started for the door. + +"But where?" called Evelyn. + +"I'll tell you what--you come over to my hotel, Ev, about six o'clock. +How is that, and we'll go to supper--oh, by the way, Mickey, what are +you doing tonight--the usual thing?" + +"Sure--the usual thing, but I'll see you over on the other side," +answered Mickey. + +"Then I'll be over at your hotel at six," said Evelyn. + +"O. K., Ev, see you then--and thanks, Mickey, for the hospitality. So +long," as she closed the door behind her. + +"That girl's sure a real good scout, Mickey--it's too bad that she has +got to go the route." + +"Let's have a little drink--what do you say, Ev?" + +"Quick." + +"Say, Ev, where did you meet Pearl?" + +"On the car the other night--and right away that Big Boy falls head over +heels for her in a big way, and wants to marry her, and she can't see +him--but--she is nuts over Harry Hicks--ain't that something to tie your +bowels in a knot?" + +"Oh, Jees, Harry will do to her what he has done to all the rest that's +come his way--he will get tired of her as quick as the rest, and then I +suppose she will grieve, and go on the usual drunk, to forget it. I +don't know what it is about that guy that makes these girls go for him +like they do." + +"Yeah--and look at the dough she could get from that big guy." + +"I sure wish I could get my hooks into that Big Boy for a couple of +days, but he won't even give me a tumble," as they went on sipping their +coffee. + +When Pearl arrived at her hotel, she found Big Boy sitting in the lobby, +with a sour expression on his face, which brightened when she came in. + +"Hello, Big Boy," said Pearl, "Did you think I was going to stand you +up?" + +"No--I forgot what time our date was for, so I came at noon, and they +said you hadn't been in all night. Where have you been?" + +"Well--now, is that nice, to ask me where I've been, and what do you +care where I've been? I'm here for our date, am I not? Isn't that +enough? Come on up to the room, while I get dressed for wherever it is +we are going?" + +Big Boy followed Pearl into the elevator and to her room, without saying +a word. When she closed the door, then he turned to her, face red with +anger. + +"I know where you've been--look at that dress--I know you was one of the +women who waded the river last night. I suppose you went and spent the +night with the guy that helped you across." + +"Listen, Big Boy, what ever gave you the notion that you had the right +to question where I've been, and who I've been with? Get a load of +this--there is no man, woman or child that has a right to talk to me +like that, see--so don't you try it." + +"Well, what was you doing in Juarez that you couldn't have come across +the bridge before twelve, and why was it so necessary for you to come +back over here that you would take the chance of wading the river to get +here?" + +"I--I--well--I just didn't make the bridge, and I--well, I was afraid to +stay over there all night." + +"You're lying like Hell, and you know it. You was on that party last +night at the Rio Bravo--" as he came over to where she was standing. + +"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, nobody 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 bastard will get you," as he punched her in +the eye. + +"Oh--help--help--you lousy tramp, get out of this room," screamed Pearl. +"God damn 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 shell 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 glass 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, hello, 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-knob," +lied Pearl. + +"Well, it's the first door-knob 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?" + +"No, you don't have to wear a bandage at all, unless you want to, but +you know a bandage covers a multitude of sins. You can say you got a +piece of glass in your eye, and that way you won't have to stay in your +room for a week until it gets well." + +"Ah, gee, Doc, you're a peach, thanks," as she got off the bed. + +"Well, I'll be going now," as he gathered up his things. "Next time tell +your boy friend to hit you some place it won't show," as he went out the +door. + +Pearl lay on the bed--there was nothing else to do. Now she couldn't +very well go to Juarez, with her eye bandaged up. No matter what lie +she told, nobody would believe it. Maybe it was just as well not to go +over for a few days anyhow--let some of the trouble of the shooting die +down, and that would be time enough, but she couldn't stay in the room +all that time--she would go crazy. She arose from the bed, went to the +phone, and called Evelyn's apartment and left a message for her to call +as soon as she came in. + +The door opened slowly, as Big Boy came in, loaded with candy and fruit +and flowers. + +"My God, what all have you got there?" asked Pearl, as she looked at him +with the one good eye. + +"Some little things you might like, Pearl. You can have anything you +want, no matter what it is. Will you please forgive me?" + +"Well, it will take a lot more than candy or flowers to make me forget a +sock like that." + +"Ah, gee, honey--you can have anything you want--just name it. Let me +get you a nice apartment, and some clothes, open an account for +you--just anything to show you I do really love you, and I only want +you to marry me--will you?" + +"No, I won't marry you--but I'll think about the apartment and the other +stuff you mentioned." + +"Ah, that's great--I gotta go now--I gotta meet a guy on some business +about the mine--I'll be back tonight." + +"Aw--alright, go ahead--I'll be here when you get back--you've seen to +that, all right," as he came over to kiss her--"Never mind kissing +me--I'm still mad." + +"I love you--can't you understand that," as he took her in his arms. + +A rap came on the door. + +"Who's there," called Pearl. + +"It's me--Ev," came the voice. + +"Come on in." + +"My God--what's happened to you--your eye--what's happened?" asked +Evelyn, breathlessly. + +"Well, you see, it was like this," said Big Boy. + +"Never mind--never mind--I get it--she was late for the date and you +socked her for it--ain't you the big bully?" said Evelyn, as she walked +over to Pearl. + +"I just lost my temper, and I didn't mean to." + +"You said you had to go--well, go ahead--I want to talk to Ev." + +"Will you be here when I get back?" asked Big Boy anxiously. + +"Yeah--she'll be here, all right, thanks to you--scram--" answered +Evelyn, as he went out the door. + +"My God, this thing hurts," said Pearl, as she put her hands to her +head. + +"What happened?" + +"Oh, we got into an argument about last night, and he was furious, and +just took a punch at me, that's all." + +"Well, what was you saying?" + +"He wanted to know about last night--and I was lying and trying not to +tell him anything, and he seemed to know that I was lying, so he gives +me the shiner." + +"Didn't I tell you about that guy--I told you not to try to kid him, or +lie to him. He is the meanest louse that ever lived when he loses his +temper, and if you go ahead and play around with him, you won't only get +another black eye, but you'll get a beating, and one that you will +remember. I know him, and I also know his reputation. It's like I +said--that guy is a killer, and if you go on fooling with him, and he +ever catches you with Harry, he'll kill you as sure as you're born. I'm +not saying I told you so, or any of that stuff. Heavens knows I know +what it is to have a black eye, and it's no fun, but remember what I'm +saying--I suppose he rushed out and bought this stuff to get you to +overlook the sock, eh?" + +"Yeah--that's what he bought it for, and he also is going to get me an +apartment, and some new clothes--he said I could have anything I want--" + +"Well, you better take sparingly, because, sister, you will pay in the +end. You let that guy go do all that, and you don't stay true to him, +it's curtains for you--I'm telling you, because when he finds you are +hot for Harry, he'll go up in smoke anyhow. He and Harry are the best of +friends, but they are rivals as well. I'm dying for a drink--I'll bet +you haven't got a drop around here, have you?" + +"Look in the top dresser drawer--there's a full bottle that hasn't been +opened." + +"Thank Heavens--that's a life saver," as she fished the bottle out of +the drawer, and opening it, took a long, deep drink. "Want one too, +don't you? + +"Might as well," said Pearl, as she raised up and took the bottle Evelyn +handed her. + +"Maybe I'm nuts, but I can't figure it out--here is a guy that wants you +to marry him, and you can't see him for Harry. Ah, Hell--give me another +drink--the world's all haywire." + +"Hell, I'm not going to stay in this room all day. I want to go out, at +least for a little while. I know, Ev--let's you and I go get an +apartment--you come with me and help me hunt." + +"Why go hunting apartments? If you really want to be swell, then take an +apartment in the Hussman Hotel. They got the swellest in this town, and +there's no use taking anything but the swellest, since Big Boy is going +to pay the bill." + +"That's an idea--I'll do it--you are all wrong about me taking +sparingly--I might as well have whole hog or none, because he won't +figure that, in case there is a big showdown. If I have to pay the +price, I might as well make it worth while, ain't I right?" + +"Yeah--I guess you're right, at that, because when he does start mopping +the town up with you, he won't figure what he has spent--he will just +figure you have been a louse, and you will get it--and how!" + +"I'll change this dress and we will go," as she started to strip again. + +"Gee, I'm sorry you won't be able to go across the border tonight. I +hate to go over there alone." + +"Don't worry, you won't be alone--I'm not the first Hooker that has +sported a black eye in this burg. I'm going over--to Hell with what that +crowd thinks. I've got a sucker on the string that's not so bad, so +let's have the fun while we can. Give me that bottle, darling, I need it +badly." + +"Damn if you ain't the best pal I've had in a long time, Pearl." + +"You ain't so bad yourself, Ev." + +They left the hotel, also a note on the door, saying they would be back +shortly, as they had gone apartment hunting. They moseyed by the Plaza, +and over to the Hussman, where they looked at apartments, which ended in +Pearl taking one. + +"This is some hot-looking joint," said Evelyn, as she sat down, +gorgeously putting on the Ritz, "If I'm going to come up here to see you +I might as well start putting on the dog right now." + +"Come up and see me--you--you're going to move up here with me." + +"Like Hell--I'll come up and see you, but I ain't moving in here--I +don't want to have to jump out of one of these windows some night when +you and Big Boy have one of your grudge fights--I'll stay where I'm +at." + +"Come on, let's go back to the hotel, and I'll get my things packed, and +start to move--will you help me?" + +"Sure, why not?" + +They went back to the hotel, and found Big Boy waiting for them. + +"Did you find the kind of a place you want?" he asked anxiously. + +"Did I? Did I? I went to the Hussman and picked the best in the +joint--is that all right?" + +"Right," he smiled, "And the best is none too good." + +"I'm going to pack and move right now, Ev, and you are going to help +me." + +"No, you call the maid and let her pack your things, and send them over. +Here's a little present I have for you," as he handed her a small book. + +"Oh, that's wonderful--now I'll forgive you for the black eye. Look, Ev, +my own bank book, and already a thousand dollars to check on--Ah, gee, +that's swell, Big Boy," as she gave him a peck on the cheek for a kiss. + +"How would you and Ev like to go to a show for the rest of the +afternoon?" asked Big Boy. + +"I wouldn't mind if I can have a few more drinks before I go in," said +Evelyn. + +"I'm all fixed for that," he answered, as he took a pint out of his hip +pocket. + +"I'll tell you, Pearl, you kill a third, and you kill a third, and I'll +kill the rest. How's that?" said Evelyn, as she took the bottle from Big +Boy. + +"Why just the pint? I've a quart in the other dresser--wait, I'll get +it," as she went to the dresser and took out a quart of Kentucky +Bourbon. + +"Why not kill both?" suggested Evelyn. + +"Did you say you wanted to see the picture, or just want to go in the +theatre to sleep?" asked Big Boy. + +"Well, we'll get a bigger kick out of it, if we are stiff; I know we +will." + +"I've a better idea than that," said Pearl. "Let's just kill the quart, +then take the pint into the theatre, and have a nip during the picture, +huh, what do you say?" + +"It don't matter where I drink it, as long as I drink, let's get +started--Big Boy, you drink first, then you Pearl, then I'll knock the +rest of it off," suggested Evelyn. + +"Oke," answered Big Boy, as he turned the bottle up to his mouth, while +deep gurgling sounds came forth. + +The quart was finished, and all went to the theatre, as Pearl left +orders with the maid to pack her things, and have them sent to the +Hussman. + +The afternoon papers carried warnings to all Americans that the +long-expected rebellion in Mexico had broken out in Durango, and that +the administration of Portes Gil, Mexico's President, looked as though +it were at an end. + +Portes Gil was at a loss--his troops could not seem to do +anything--there was only one thing for him to do, and that was to recall +ex-President Calles, known as the Iron Man of Mexico, to help in +breaking the rebellion. + +Juarez, with its large garrison of soldiers, was at a nervous tension, +and the bar owners were twice as nervous, not knowing how long the +garrison would be loyal to the Federals, as all that is necessary to +change their loyalty is to shoot the commanding officers, and declare +they were loyal to the other side, which is so often the case when the +opposing side is much larger, or when there is a little looting to be +done. + +Fort Bliss, with its rows of beautiful two-story brick houses for its +officers, its large brick barracks, housing its hundreds of men, and +small, newly built brick bungalows for its petty officers, its +tremendous stables housing its hundreds of horses, its enormous parade +and drill grounds, clean as a freshly swept floor, aroused from its +lethargy at the rumors of war. The men were raring to be let loose to +fight, anybody or anything, as long as it promised excitement and fight. + +"It sure looks like a hot time in the old town soon," said Evelyn, as +she lay back and stretched out on the beautifully appointed divan in +Pearl's new apartment. + +"Wait a minute until I change the bandage on this bum eye, and you can +read the newspaper to me," said Pearl, from the bathroom. + +"Why don't you leave the bandage off when you are in the house? There's +nothing you can put on it now that will take the black out of it--just +leave it alone, and when you start to go out, then stick the patch over +it." + +"That's a good idea, I'll do it," as she sat down in front of Evelyn. +"Now, tell me more, what the paper says about war." + +"The American Consul says in a statement in the paper that he cannot be +responsible for American citizens who go over to Juarez just to have a +good time, and that only those who have business and have to go over are +the only ones to go over--Well, in my business it's necessary for me to +go over--but you having a man who has money, on the string, you don't +have to go over--but I can see by the expression in the one good eye of +yours that you will have important business in Juarez--will you not, +Miss Jones?" said Evelyn, with mock elegance. + +"With all this excitement brewing I should stay up here in the +apartment, and act like a lady. Now's the time to go over there and +raise Hell--with the revolution coming on, they will have forgotten +about the shooting, and will be so taken up with other things, it will +be as safe as ever, if you can ever call Juarez safe." + +The telephone started ringing madly--"Who the Hell can that be?" asked +Pearl, as she went to answer it. + +"Hello--Oh, yeah--yeah, I hear you all right. You have to go right +now--well, when will you be back?--Oh, gee, I'm sorry--well, is there +anything you want me to do?--sure, I'll be careful--will you be safe in +that territory? That is where most of the fighting will be, so the paper +says--Oh, that's why you have to go down there--I didn't get that last +crack--come again--don't mind if I go over to Juarez with Evelyn, and +have a few drinks, do you? I can go, but you would rather I wouldn't? +And have a drink whenever I want, too--No, I'm not mad--why should I be +mad? But why should I go into the sisterhood just because you will be +out of town for a few days? Oh, it might be weeks--well, you are going +of your own free will--nobody is making you go--Oh, Hell, yes, certainly +I've enough money till you get back--yes, O. K., goodbye," as she hung +up the receiver. + +"What did I tell you?" said Evelyn. "He has to go to the mine and wants +you to be the sweet and innocent one till he gets back--that guy is so +jealous of you he smells bad--what are you going to do tonight?" + +"Well, I was thinking it would be grand to go over to Juarez, and before +the bridge closes, bring our own gang here for a party--what do you +think?" + +"Yes, dear--Harry will like your new apartment--you ain't kidding me, +I'm wise--and what's more, I'm staying here myself tonight with a boy +friend--that is, if I can pick up one that is young enough to come +without his wheel chair." + +"All right--let's get started--wait till I put the patch on the bum +eye." + +"If anybody asks you how you got the eye, what are you going to tell +them?" + +"Tell them the truth--they won't believe it anyhow." + +"I never thought of that before, and the way I've worried over trying to +think up a grand lie to tell someone when, if you were to tell the truth +it would be just as good, because they would never believe it, anyhow. +That is a new idea, and I won't have to think so much now--Hooray--let +us drink--Oh, damn it--there ain't no more whiskey." + +"Never mind, dear, we will soon be in Juarez," said Pearl, as she pulled +the hat down over the patch on her eye. + +"The way you have that hat on, you would hardly notice that eye," +remarked Evelyn, as she arranged her dress. + +"Don't you worry, that herd of hawk-eyed whores will see it long before +I get there. Any time some woman's man socks her in the eye, it travels +by mental telepathy--not that they have any mental capacity, but even +the most lowly animal has instinct--therefore they would know it." + +"Oh, sister, thou speaketh the truth--thou wilt be blessed," said +Evelyn, lifting her hands to Heaven, "Come, Juarez calleth." + +They boarded the Juarez-bound car, and as the car stopped for the +Customs and Immigration officials of Mexico to get on, more than usual +boarded the car, questioning everybody as to their reason for going over +the border,--the extra questioning was because of the revolution having +started. + +"For what reason, Senorita, are you going to Juarez tonight?" one of the +men asked Pearl. + +"I'm going over to see a friend on business," answered Pearl. + +"What manner of business, Senorita?" + +"About a job he promised me." + +"And you, Senorita Evelyn, why are you going over tonight?" + +"Well--to be damn truthful, Senor, I'm going over for a drink," answered +Evelyn. + +"That is a very good reason, Senorita--Gratias!" + +The men moved slowly through the car, going through every bundle and +package, regardless of size, whether it be large or small, making men +stand up, and feeling them over for firearms, finally leaving the car to +ramble its way on to town. + +"My Heavens, they are particular tonight," said Pearl. + +"They will be that way until the war is over, and what good it does, I +don't know," answered Evelyn. + +Juarez, since the reports of the war, and the warning for Americans to +stay on their own side, there were twice as many people in the bars as +there usually were at this hour of the evening. They stayed on the car +until they arrived at the Lobby No. 2, where they got off the car, with +Pearl holding her head down so that no one might see the black eye. + +"I wonder what Harry will say when he sees my shiner?" + +"Black eyes are nothing new to Harry." + +They went into the bar--crowds were milling, singing, talking, cursing +and drinking to the war. + +"This is going to be another wild night over here--I can see that +already--come on, let's get a drink, and then you can go in and see +Harry." + +"O. K." + +"Well, for the love of Jees--what happened to you?" asked Mickey, as she +came up to Pearl. "You needn't tell me--Big Boy--ain't I right?" + +"Right--what are you drinking, Mickey?" asked Pearl. + +"Whiskey--but how did it happen, and when?" + +"Well, he is jealous of me--and he knew I was lying about last night, +and so--he took a sock at me." + +"Ah, that's lousy." + +"Yeah--that's lousy, but she got returns at once," said Evelyn. "She has +already moved to the Hussman, and what an apartment--and then the boy +friend came in and handed her a bank book all her own, with a grand for +her to check on--then he goes away tonight to the mine, and Pearl is +going to be true to him till he comes back--like Hell." + +"Well, that calls for celebration," said Mickey, as she drank her +whiskey. + +"It does," answered Pearl. "I think we should do it tonight, after the +bridge closes--what do you say?" + +"Good--I'll be there, but I ain't telling anyone about it--you do your +own telling--I might invite someone you don't want--well, I got a date +to roll a guy--I'll be seeing you," as she went into the crowd. + +"Mickey is a damn good scout," said Pearl. + +"She's regular," answered Evelyn. + +"Oh, listen--that's Harry singing--come on in and let's sit at a table +and see the show--I could watch him all night." + +"You probably will--but he won't be singing." + +"Now, Ev, you shouldn't begrudge me a little pleasure--at least Harry +never gave me a black eye." + +"No--and from all I hear, he ain't got much of what you're crazy about, +to give, either." + +"Do you believe all you hear, Ev?" + +"Well, I can't say that I do--but I have no reason to doubt the rumor, +unless you care to enlighten me on the subject." + +"Well, darling, you use your imagination--and sign my name to it." + +"Really." + +"Surest thing, Ev." + +"Don't tell me I've missed something." + +"I think you have." + +"Well, it's really too late now--all I can do is be sorry." + +"You see, Ev--what I really like about Harry is his--well, his way." + +"No--REALLY," said Evelyn, eyes wide. + +"That's what it is." + +"Well, I admit I've always suspected Harry." + +"What?" said Pearl. + +"Oh, nothing," smiled Evelyn, "But that calls for another drink--waiter, +whiskey, quick." + +"I'll have one, too--pronto." + +They drank the whiskey, and crowded their way into the cabaret, and back +near the band stand, where they found an unoccupied table, that +commanded a good view of the show. + +"I'll be with you in a few minutes," said Harry, as he passed their +table. + +"Just a minute--Ladies and Gentlemen--I have some news--I've been +requested by the management to read for your benefit," said Harry, as he +silenced the crowd, then continued reading from a yellow piece of paper +in his hand: "The Rebels have taken Chihuahua City, and are organizing +more troops for the march on Juarez." + +The crowd was silent; not a sound or a word for several minutes, then +the sounds started, with low whispers, then rose to the usual loud +singing, talking, dancing, still rising higher and noisier, until the +gaiety was at the point of hysteria. + +Mexicans stole sly glances at each other, some very serious and worried, +others not noticing or caring that the rebels were going to march on +Juarez, and others wondering which side to stick to, as the winning side +is always the best, and if the rebels had taken Chihuahua City, Juarez +would be nothing. + +Americans who ordinarily came over the border every night to have their +little drink and waste a few hours, and go home practically as sober as +they came over, were drinking with the best of the lot, as they knew +that if the fighting was to take place in the city, as it had done +before, there would be no chance to come over and have the usual drink; +therefore drink all that was possible while the drinking was good; +others, who remained gentlemen, whether drunk or sober, were making +asses of themselves in huge form, and there is nothing that can be so +perfect an ass as an American in a country other than his own, and with +a mind made up to show off; hence, hilarity in its most violent form +held sway for the rest of the night, cars and drunken people so numerous +on the International Bridge it would be impossible for the gates to be +closed before at least one o'clock, and the Customs and Immigration +Officials dared not close the bridge until those that were dragging +themselves and others were across, as it was possible that the Rebels +would take a train, or an engine with a caboose, and in one of their +moments of madness, which are many in the Mexican temperament, and leave +Chihuahua City without the rest of the Rebel army, and just cause enough +for a fight, to kill some innocent bystander, which is a known fact, +that in a battle in Mexico there are more people killed by accident than +with actual intent, as they are very bad shots, but if they ever work up +enough courage to come close enough for a hand-to-hand fight, they +either do it with knives, or call the whole thing off and go into the +nearest bar, and have a drink. It is not an unusual thing to see the +Federal army and the Rebel army call off the fighting for lunch and the +usual noon siesta, and a general get-together, and congratulate each +other on the bravery of the things they have seen done, or have heard +of. Knowing this, and knowing that when the fighting did start in +Juarez, that there would be as many bullets fall on the American side as +on the Mexican side, Fort Bliss had already stationed a troop of men at +the foot of the Santa Fe Bridge; consequently, with all the ribaldry the +bridge had to be kept open until nearly two o'clock. + +Thrill seekers and tourists who were out to see everything and +experience everything, stayed in Juarez that night, hoping to see some +fighting and have first-hand information to tell the folks back in +Kansas, or Ohio, just what it was like, and with the usual intelligence, +which isn't above that of a stray cur, thinking it possible to witness a +battle, but expecting that, owing to the fact that they were American +citizens, that the Mexicans would watch where they were shooting, and +not a hair on them would be harmed. + +Men whose wives in their drunken stupor wanted to stay in Juarez; men +with women that they had picked up, but were too drunk to walk, were +thrown over their shoulders, and carried like a bag of meal to the +American side of the bridge; drunken women helping women more drunk than +they, with the occasional leaning over the side of the bridge to let off +some of the last of the liquid cargo they had taken on at the last bar. + +Pearl, Evelyn and Mickey were among the last to come across, with Pearl +and Mickey leading Evelyn, who was too drunk to make it alone. + +"Ev, you should never get this drunk," said Mickey. + +"Who are you, sister? I'll get as drunk as I like," mumbled Evelyn. + +"What I'd like to know is how much she drank to get this drunk. I've +seen her kill a quart at a time, and never phase her, but my God, she +must have got to a barrel this time," said Pearl. + +"Let go of me--I can walk alone," said Evelyn, as she pulled away from +them. + +"Do you think you can, Ev?" + +"Sure," said Evelyn, as she staggered to the curb, vomiting down her +entire front. + +"There she goes; now she will feel better as soon as she gets some of +that stuff out of her," said Mickey. + +"Yeah--but we better hold her, she might fall," but she was too late; +Evelyn was already lying in the gutter. "What a sight she will be +now--come on, Mickey, let's get her up to my hotel--call a taxi." + +Mickey called a car--they got Evelyn in, with much trouble, and finally +arrived at the Hussman. + +"My God, Pearl, what will they think--you dragging her through the lobby +looking the way she does," as they were pulling Evelyn out of the car, +with the help of the driver. + +"I don't know, but I hope they let one crack out of them--that will give +me all the excuse I'll need to wreck this joint without stalling." + +"Wait a minute, girls," said the driver. "I'll take her up like this," +as he threw Evelyn over his shoulder and started into the lobby. + +"I'll get her up there and put her to bed." + +"Don't you think, Pearl, that if you could get some hot coffee down her +it might make her come out of it?" + +"I don't know, but I'll try it--" as she said to the bell-boy, "Bring me +some hot coffee up here, quick." + +"Are you going over to the States after we get Ev to bed, Pearl? You +know you've a date over there with Harry." + +"Have I? I've been doing some heavy drinking myself--I don't even +remember it. Sure, we'll go over there as soon as we give her some +coffee." + +"Let's take her into the bathroom, and strip her in there, and then put +her to bed," said Pearl, as she opened the door for them to enter. + +They took Evelyn in to the bathroom, the driver holding her up while +Pearl and Mickey stripped her, clean to the skin; then the bellboy +arrived with the coffee. + +"Wait a minute--I'll get a night-gown for her, and then we will put her +in bed, and pour some of this hot stuff down her gullet. O. K., driver, +bring her in." + +He picked her up, and bringing her into the room, laid her down, holding +her head up, as he took the cup out of Pearl's hand, and holding it to +Evelyn's lips, while the hot liquid brought moans and groans from +Evelyn--Pearl and Mickey stood by to help. + +"Now, let's cover her up, and leave her alone to sleep--she will be all +right when we get back from the cafe." + +Pearl turned the lights out, and down they went, leaving Ev behind for +the first time since they had met. + +"Jees," said Pearl, "I feel lost without her--she is sure some regular +scout." As they got into the car that had brought them from the +bridge--"To the States, driver." + +When they arrived at the States Cafe, the height of the hilarity for the +evening had passed, 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. + +"Hello, 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 shiner 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 passed 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 passed out?" + +"You don't mean to tell me that you passed 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. +Don't you think it is lovely?" + +"Yeah, its fine, but I don't get the connection of the black eye and the +apartment." + +"It's just as well," said Evelyn. "The less you get, the better off you +will both be." + +"No kidding, Pearl--what is the gag--who is the sucker?" + +"Oh, just a guy that thinks he is crazy about me, that's all." + +"Now, Harry, I want to ask you something seriously," said Evelyn. "Maybe +I'm wrong, maybe I'm not, but you might as well know--you will sooner or +later--I been telling Pearl she is nuts, now let's see what you think." + +"Let's hear it," answered Harry. + +"Do you mind, Pearl?" asked Evelyn. + +"No, I don't mind." + +"Well, here's the story. You know that big guy they call Big Boy? You +and he have been more less rivals for some time, and I know you are very +good friends. You know the guy pretty well--you have seen him go on a +rampage and wreck a place, then pay for it. Well--he's nuts for Pearl, +and he is the one who gave her the black eye because she lied to him +about last night, then he gave her a thousand bucks, and this apartment, +and anything else she wants--now, what I'm coming to--this guy wants to +marry her--I know that will floor you--and he means it. Pearl is taking +all he can give her. Don't you think that if he is crazy about her, that +if he catches her two-timing him he will go on such a rampage he might +kill her?" + +"Yes, that's right, Ev, that guy is a bad hombre--but why should he +catch her?" + +"I give you credit for some sense, Harry. If he gave her a black eye for +lying, what will he do to her when he finds out you or some other guy is +playing around his duck's nest?" + +"Don't worry, Ev. Pearl's too clever for that--anytime I fall for a +woman I know she is clever," laughed Harry assuredly. + +"That may be all well and good, but I'm damned if I care to be around +when the thing happens," said Evelyn, as she guzzled some more coffee. + +"You didn't tell me what they did to Negro Noche about that shooting +last night, and what did they do with Irene's body?" asked Pearl. + +"Negro Noche wasn't even arrested--the authorities said that she was +protecting her home, and that if another woman was trying to steal her +man, and she found them in each other's arms, she had done the right +thing, so she was let free. About Irene, nobody seems to know where her +home is, or if she has any people. They are holding her body over in +the morgue until they can find out something, and if they don't they +will bury her out here in the usual pauper's grave." + +"Oh, Jees that's awful," said Evelyn. "Well, they won't bury her in no +pauper's grave as long as I got a cent." + +"You are right," answered Pearl, "But Ev, I've more money than you +have--I'll pay for the funeral, poor kid--that's usually the end of most +of us--God, that's awful--I'll tell you what we will do--we'll get up +early in the morning and go over to the morgue, and arrange for her to +have a decent funeral." + +"I haven't any money," said Harry. "But I'll do anything I can." + +"That's all right, Harry--I'm glad that I have the money to do it--shall +we bury her on the Mex side, or shall we bring her over here?" + +"What's the difference? I'm sure it wouldn't make any difference to her, +and then you might have to go through some red tape about bringing the +body across the border," said Evelyn. + +"Well, I better be getting home," said Harry, as he arose to go. + +"Oh, no, Harry--stay up here tonight, won't you?" + +"Do you really want me to?" + +"Oh, darling, you know I want you to." + +"If you two must have your fun, then listen to me--I'll stay in the +other bedroom, and if anything should happen that Big Boy would come in +any time, Harry, you come and get in bed with me, then he couldn't say +anything," explained Evelyn. + +"Ev, you're some little thinker--what would we do without you?" + +"Oh, nuts," exclaimed Evelyn. "I'm going to bed--good-night," as she +arose and went into the bedroom. + +Harry and Pearl sat for a long time on the divan, holding each other's +hands, not saying a word. This was the third night they had known each +other, and events since that time had been rather swift. + +"I've seen lots of girls come down here, and stay around for a while, +then maybe make a good marriage, then others go to the dogs, but of all +the lot you are the first one that I've ever really been in love with," +said Harry, softly. + +"I love you, too, Harry, and it's my first real love, but I don't quite +know how you can love me when you know what I'm doing and what I +am--don't that make a difference?" + +"It might to some people, but not to me--but you see I couldn't give you +what Big Boy can." + +"You mean you can't give me the money he can?" + +"That's it--he can give you everything you could ever want--money, +clothes, cars--or just anything you happen to want--why, look, he has +already given you a thousand dollars--I doubt if I'll ever have a +thousand in my whole life--I'm just a bum singer." + +"But just the same I love you, Harry--why couldn't we do this--I've an +idea--let me string this guy along and get a load of dough, and then we +can beat it and start fresh some place where no one knows us--would you +like that?" + +"Well, I don't know about that--I'll have to think it over--that is a +little too much to say yes to on so short a notice, and not a nice thing +to do." + +"What's the difference? What I'm doing already is not exactly what the +general run of people would call decent." + +"Oh, that's nothing--I know women about this town that have good +husbands and friends, and they step out on the side for the dough, to +buy something they want, but they were respectable girls before they +married, but this much I know--if I marry a girl like you, I can depend +on you being on the level with me--I've seen enough of life down here to +know that." + +"Suppose we talk this over some time tomorrow or later. We should get +some sleep tonight," said Pearl, as she laid her head on his shoulder. + +Harry pulled her close to him, all was quiet in the hotel, and the +streets were quiet. The rest of the night was bathed in liquid silver of +a belated moon, but inside each of them there raged a tornado of love, +desire, passion, that was soon to be quelled by complete possession of +each other, then a sweet sleep of quiet and peace, that equaled the +quietness of the silent city outside. + +Morning quietly slipped through the windows, the bright hot sun rose, +dispelling the chill of the night. The city rose with all its noise and +bustle, as a sleeping dog rises and shakes itself, to be about its busy +routine of the day. + +Evelyn awoke, looked around, then realized that she was at Pearl's +apartment, then looked next to her in bed, and was surprised that she +was in bed alone. She slowly climbed out of bed, going to the window, +looked out on the lovely morning, then thinking of Irene, she started +for the bedroom where Pearl was lying in Harry's arms, sleeping quietly. + +"Hey, you two," as she shook them. "Come on--come on--snap out of it--we +have lots to do today," as Pearl and Harry opened their eyes to behold a +sight which caused them to laugh loudly. Evelyn standing in teddies, +with her hair standing on end, eyes bloodshot from the night before. + +"Ev, have you looked at yourself in the mirror yet?" asked Pearl. + +"No, I haven't--I'm afraid to--I've heard people sometimes die of +fright--so I'm just working up the courage to do that little thing--do +you want me to order breakfast?" + +"Breakfast--that sounds good," said Harry, as he sat up in bed. + +"Ev, you're a darling--order a big one for me--I need it--I'm +starved--then we will go over the river," as she went to the bathroom. + +Evelyn called the morgue, and found that no one seemed able to find +Irene's people, or to find out anything about her, so she told the +undertakers to get Irene ready and make all the arrangements for the +funeral to be held at two o'clock that afternoon, at the Mexican +Cemetery on the outskirts of Juarez, then she spent the next half hour +calling every Hooker that she knew, and told them the time of the +funeral, and asked them to be there, and to bring any of the other girls +they could get hold of. + +"How many have you called, in all, Ev?" asked Pearl, as Evelyn sat down +beside her. "I'll call and have these dishes taken away." + +"About twenty in all, but they all know others that I don't know and +they will tell them." + +"Well, I'm going to run out home," said Harry, getting ready to leave, +"I'll see you at the funeral." + +"All right, dear," said Pearl, as she kissed him goodbye. + +"Don't you think we better go over and see if there is anything we might +do? I'll get a check cashed and take enough money over to pay the +expenses for the flowers, since you insist on paying all the funeral +expenses--the least I can do will be to see that she has lovely flowers, +poor kid." + +"That's right, Ev, we had better go on over--I'll have to get a check +cashed, too." + +They called a taxi and started for Juarez, and as the car pulled over +the bridge, and under the shed where all cars stop to be questioned by +the Mexican officials before entering Juarez, there were soldiers +everywhere. + +"Why are you Senoritas going to Juarez at this time," asked one of the +officials. + +"We are going over to attend the funeral of the American girl who was +shot Saturday night in the Rio Bravo Hotel," answered Pearl. + +"What other business have you to attend to over there?" + +"None." + +"You will pardon, Senorita, but may I suggest that as soon as possible +you will return to the American side--the rebels have left Chihuahua +City by train, and they may arrive at any time from one o'clock to six." + +"Thanks, we will," answered Pearl, as the official motioned to the +driver to drive on. + +"I bet there will be some wild carrying on here with the rebels, when +they do arrive," laughed Evelyn. + +"I wonder if there will be much fighting?" + +"Sure, there will be fighting, and lots of screaming and running. The +way they carry on you think there is twice as much fighting as there +really is." + +"I guess we had better try and get back before the rebels arrive. What +do you think, Ev?" + +"Well, after the funeral we will come back. We won't waste any time." + +"Come right in, Senoritas," said the Mexican undertaker, as he bowed low +to them. + +"You have made the necessary arrangements that we called you about this +morning?" + +"Si, Senorita." + +"How much is the whole bill?" asked Pearl, as she fished into her bag. + +"Four hundred Pesos, Senorita." + +"How much American?" + +"That will be two hundred dollars, Senorita, and that is everything. I +have already had the grave dug, and the time you said over the phone is +the time the funeral will take place. I, Senorita, have taken the +privilege of calling a Padre--was that right?" + +"That's O. K. by me, don't you think, Ev?" + +"Sure." + +"Here's your money," as she handed him two hundred dollars. + +"The good God will be kind to you, Senorita, for this good deed," as +Pearl and Evelyn went out. + +"Hell, I need a drink, don't you, Ev?" + +"Yeah--a good stiff one," as they climbed in the car. + +"Driver, take us to the Central, and come in and have a shot with us." + +"Oke, Sister," answered the driver. + +They turned on the Sixteenth of September Street, and had to stop to let +troops pass, some short, some tall, but none with uniforms that fit, +except the officers, who were perfectly groomed, with beautiful uniforms +that would have done credit to a rear Admiral of anybody's country, and +as they marched past, sullen dirty faces showed no sign of expression, +of joy, of madness, chagrin, nor contempt--they were like so many dirty +brown masks, that hide so much thievery, murder, and cowardice +underneath. + +"Do the rebels look anything like this?" asked Pearl, as they passed. + +"Just the same--clothes may be different, but that means nothing. These +men that just marched past may be on the rebel side before sundown--they +are just as willing to fight for one side as the other, as long as it +promises to be profitable." + +"I can't understand why they are always having these revolutions down +here." + +"Pearl, in our country every boy is taught that he can, by hard study +and work, be the President if he wants to be, but down here every boy is +taught that he must be President, even if he has to kill the former one, +and they have tried to live up to their teaching, so it's just another +case of some bad boy taking what he thinks is rightfully his." + +"I suppose they will stop the trains out of town, and march in." + +"Oh no they won't--they will ride those trains into the heart of the +town, screaming and yelling and shooting at anybody that happens to be +in sight, at least that is the way they always have done, and Mex's +never change." + +"I hope the rebels don't arrive before the funeral is over--that would +be awful." + +"I'll say it would," as the car stopped. "Come on, here's where we +drink--come on, driver." They all went in. + +"I'll have whiskey," said Pearl. + +"So will I." + +"Make it three whiskeys," answered the driver. "Say do you girls want me +to wait over here for you?" + +"No, we are going to stick around here until time for the funeral. You +can go on back--oh, I almost forgot about paying you--here, take this," +as she shoved a bill in his hand. + +"If I were you, girls, I wouldn't waste any more time over here than I +had to, and if you say the word, I'll stay and see you through," +answered the driver. + +"That's nice of you kid, but we will be O. K." + +"So long," as he went. + +"It's going to take more than one whiskey to get me through that +funeral," said Pearl. + +"Let's buy a couple of quarts, and go on out to the cemetery and wait +there," suggested Evelyn. + +"That's the best idea of all," said Pearl, "Let's go." + +They took the two quarts, and slowly walked up the street. Small groups +of people, talking near doorways, gazed at them curiously as they went. +Most of the bars and places of business were closed, and the windows +boarded up, caused by the expected battle, and knowing full well that +windows would be smashed if they were not somehow protected. As two +o'clock drew near, the hearse with the remains of Irene, started for the +cemetery, the driver looking like a cornered rat, and mad at having to +go out into the open when the rebels might arrive at any time, drove +slowly, but fearfully, through the streets, toward the cemetery. + +Pearl and Evelyn were sitting on a fallen headstone, drinking and +discussing the injustice of life, to them in particular, and to all in +general. They had just killed the first quart when the first bunch of +girls, headed by Mickey, came into the cemetery--some were dressed as +though they were going to a party, others in street suits, but none in +mourning, as mourning could only be used once in a great while, so why +buy mourning for the one funeral, and be stuck with something you +couldn't wear to hustle in. + +"My goodness," said Mickey. "How long have you been waiting here?" + +"Oh, not very long--want a drink?" asked Evelyn. + +"Yeah--we brought several pints along with us--there comes some more of +the girls," as she pointed along the road to about fifteen girls, all in +gay colors, coming along as if they were going to a picnic. + +"This is one of them things I sure don't like to go through with it," +said one of the girls. + +"Me either," answered another. + +"Well, it's near two o'clock--it won't be long now," remarked still +another. + +"I think that's the hearse coming now," said Pearl, as she shaded her +eyes with her hand, looking down the road. + +"We tried to get a taxi to bring us over, but not one of them would +come," said one of the newly arrived girls. + +"Well, you know there has been some talk about a revolution going to +take place over here," said one of the other girls. + +"So I'd heard," remarked the former, in a cutting voice. + +"Yeah--that is the hearse all right--there is someone with the +driver--it must be the Padre," said Pearl, still watching. + +The hearse drew up at the entrance, slowed down, then proceeded to a far +corner of the cemetery, where the freshly dug grave yawned as though +waiting for its toll, while the two Mexican grave-diggers lay sleeping +beside the fresh pile of earth. + +The girls moved slowly over to where the hearse had stopped, as the +driver got out and kicked the grave-diggers awake, telling them in +Spanish to help earn their money by helping to get the Gringo's body to +the grave, which they did unwillingly. The driver, the Padre, and the +two grave-diggers brought the box with the coffin inside it, to the side +of the grave, sat it down, while the Padre began saying the service in +Spanish and in Latin. + +Painted faces looked on, as tears began to streak their cheeks, each +thinking that this might have been her; some probably wishing it was +them, knowing that at least their earthly troubles would be over, no +matter what would be in store for them; other's minds went back to their +pasts, the others to their childhood. Soon there could be heard sounds +of soft weeping--the service was over, the four men slowly let the +coffin into the grave, jerking the straps from under the box. + +The two grave-diggers began to shovel dirt into the hole. + +"Can any of you sluts say a prayer?" asked Mickey. + +"I ain't never prayed in my life," said one of the girls, "But I'll try +it," as they all bowed their heads, as hard lumps of dirt and rock fell +with a hollow sound on the box. + +"Oh, Lord, I ain't never asked you a single favor in my life," began the +girl slowly, "But Irene is a good scout, and if she ever comes into your +place of business, don't turn her down--she always paid for her drinks, +poor kid--Amen." + +"Come on, kids, let's get going from here," said Evelyn, as she wiped +her eyes. + +They all walked slowly to the gates of the cemetery--those in front +waited for the rest to catch up. + +"Let's all have a drink," suggested Evelyn, as she began to open the +quart she still had. + +They all gathered around, passing the bottle, talking in low tones, +starting to repair the damage done to their make-ups by the tears. + +"We had better be getting back to town," remarked Pearl, and they all +started down the road, towards town, walking in little groups. + +"Just think--that might have been any one of us," said Mickey, "It +wouldn't have mattered who was with Juan Moros when Negro Noche came +in--she would have shot anyone she found with him." + +"Yeah--you're right, Mickey--it might have been any one of us. Juan was +a nice fellow to everyone, but Noche is a bad bitch--don't let anybody +fool you about that, but she won't get away with this--his people will +see to that," answered Evelyn. + +Pearl, Evelyn and Mickey were the first to arrive on the Sixteenth of +September Street--the rest of the girls had split into the usual groups +that they usually ran in, and came straggling along behind. + +"Let's go on down to the Central, and have a few drinks and rest awhile, +and let this wear off," suggested Evelyn. + +"O. K." said Mickey, as they were nearing the railroad tracks. + +"Jees--look coming," said Pearl, pointing down the tracks. + +In the distance a train was coming--Mexicans were hanging all over the +engine, and on the roofs of the box-cars, the whistle was blowing, guns +were firing. "It's the rebels." + +"Here, we better get off the street--quick, let's run in the Rio Bravo," +said Evelyn, as she grabbed Pearl's hand and started for the hotel. + +The few people that had been standing in the street, ran for shelter. +Four of the Federal Cavalry who had no chance to be disloyal, decided to +make a display of their bravery by wrecking the rebel train, by riding +four abreast into the locomotive, therefore making history, for Mexico, +as well as being heroes themselves, but never considering that they +would not be present to hear of it, they spurred their poor, bony horses +on to the tracks, one in command gave the order "Forward"--and down the +tracks they rode, the engine meeting them at the crossing of the +Sixteenth of September Street. + +Men, horses, legs, arms, heads, blood, manure, and guns were scattered +and strewn for blocks, the engine whistling, bell ringing, men +screaming, groaning, dying, the Federal troops running to meet the +rebels, the engine derailed in the middle of the street, the hissing of +escaping steam, rebels pouring out of box-cars, running into the fight, +screaming "Vive, La Mexico." + +Both sides began to run behind buildings, firing from behind, at anyone +they saw, whether it be friend or enemy. + +"We have to make that river somehow," said Evelyn. + +"My God--what do you think has happened to the other girls?" asked +Pearl. + +"They are probably in as bad a fix as we are," answered Mickey, as a +stray bullet shattered the windows of the lobby. + +The rebels began to drive the Federals towards the river, amidst much +shouting and shooting and excess bravado. + +"I'll tell you what we will do," said Evelyn. "As the shooting moves +toward the river, we will try to get out of here--I'll take my drawers +off and put them on a pole like a flag of truce, and we will try and +make it." + +"My God, what is that awful odor?" asked Pearl. + +"That's horse manure, mixed with blood, that splattered on the side of +this building when the train hit those horses," explained Evelyn, as +she was pulling off her underthings, putting them on the end of a yard +stick she had found behind the deserted desk. + +"Will we run for it, or how shall we try it?" asked Mickey. + +"We'll ease out into the street, holding this flag up, then we will go +up the middle of this street to the corner, and down that way to the +bridge," said Evelyn. + +"Do you think they will shoot at us?" asked Pearl. + +"Possibly, but I'm willing to bet that the only ones that have been +killed in the fighting are the ones there in the street, that were +killed by the train." + +"You're right, there," said Mickey, as they moved toward the door. + +"Oh, God, what a horrible sight," said Pearl as she shivered and put +her hand over her eyes. + +"Get hold of her, Mickey, she never saw anything like this before. I +guess it is kind of a shock to her to see all these Cholos laying around +here in pieces," exclaimed Evelyn, as she stepped over what had once +been a man, but was now only mangled flesh. + +"If you don't want to look, you just keep your hand over your eyes, +dear, and I'll keep hold of you until we get by this," said Mickey, +softly, as she put her arm around Pearl, and helped her along. + +"Come on here," called Evelyn. + +They moved past the crossing, then into the center of the +street--bullets whizzed overhead while toward the river there was a hot +battle raging. + +On the American side the banks of the river were lined with people +watching the fighting, as though it were a baseball game, oblivious of +the bullets that fell all around them. As the fighting came nearer the +river, two huge armored cars, with French 75's mounted, rolled near the +International Bridge, muzzles lowering menacingly, toward Mexico. + +A scream came from down to the left of the bridge, as a mother grabbed +up her little one in her arms, running toward the street. The child had +been killed by a stray bullet. + +Phones began to buzz at Fort Bliss, saying that the bullets from the +fighting were falling thick and fast on the American side, and that one +had already found its mark. + +Five minutes passed--soon the screaming of a siren could be heard, +coming toward the bridge was the large dark brown car with the American +flag flying from the front, and it drew up at the foot of the bridge. + +General M---- stepped from the car, face red with fury. + +"Fire a warning from one of those 75's," commanded the General, as he +walked toward the center of the bridge, as the voice of the 75 roared +across the border. + +Firing on the Mexican side stopped immediately, as one of the Federals +came running toward the gates on the bridge. + +"Open these gates," commanded the General, and the aides ran to do his +bidding. + +"What is it, Senor?" said the Federal, as he came near the General. + +"I want the Commander of the Rebels and the Commander of the Federals at +the foot of this bridge in five minutes--be on your way." + +The Federal ran back to the group of soldiers, they all began to talk +excitedly, running in several directions. + +Truck loads of soldiers from Fort Bliss were unloading, all ready for +action. + +General M---- stood, legs spread, looking at his watch, tapping his +riding boot with his stick, as the Federal Commander came to where he +was standing. + +"You have sent for me, Senor--I have come," as the sound of a horse +galloping down the street was heard. + +"At your command, I have come, Senor," said the rebel General, as he +swaggered up to the General, looking at the Federal as though he were +the lowest thing on earth. + +"Yes, I sent for you both," said General M----, "I want to tell you that +if you saddle-faced bastards let another bullet fall on the American +side of the river, I'll wipe the whole goddamn lot of you, and this +town, off the map," as he turned, giving an order to close the gates +again, as the armored cars once more came into position. + +The General of the Rebels rode away, to his own troops, who in the lull +of the fighting had moved up on the Federals. + +The fighting began again, with renewed vigor on the side of the rebels, +who had drawn their bayonets, while the Federals ran for the river, +wading in and making for the American side, wasting no time in doing it. + +Evelyn, Pearl and Mickey were coming down the middle of Lysol Lane, +Evelyn still holding the drawers on the stick, showing she was a +non-combatant, when she spied about fifty girls huddled on one side of a +bar, some peeping around the corner. There were all the girls who had +been to the funeral, and others, who had been to Juarez on their usual +business, and all together, wondering how they were going to get to the +American side. + +"Hey, Gang," called Evelyn, "What do you say if we all make a run for +the river--once we are in the river, we will be safe." + +"How will we do it?" asked the girls. + +"Here's the way," explained Evelyn. "We all get in the street, and start +to run--the rebels have their backs this way--they won't see us until we +are almost in the river--because from what I can see they have already +driven the Federals into the river and are already throwing rocks at +them. Well, we run as quietly as possible and burst right through the +rebels, and into the river--take the right side of the bridge, it's +better--now, do you all understand?" + +The girls nodded that they did. + +"All right, then let's get going," as they all started down the street +at a trot. They neared the river very quietly then amidst screams and +yells they burst through the rebels, leaping into the river like rats +from a sinking ship, grabbing at each other, helping each other through +the quick-sand, and cold water, some holding on to their bottles of +whiskey that they had brought along to give them courage. The few +Federals who had not reached the American side, turned back to help the +girls, amidst laughing, screaming, cursing, and splashing of water. + +The American soldiers were rounding the Federal troops up the way a +Texas cowboy rounds up cattle, herding them into one bunch, while the +girls pulled themselves out of the river without the aid of anyone +except themselves. When they were out of the river, they went in a body +to the street where the General and his aides were. + +"This is a hell of a note," said Evelyn. "A bunch of good American women +should have to wade that damn river, and no one to even help them up the +bank--you don't seem to realize that once in a while a lady needs a +little help." + +"You had no business on that side," said the General, curtly. "You knew +there was to be a battle--the papers carried the news, and all Americans +were warned to stay away from there," he continued. + +"Well, just the same, it's a hell of a way to treat ladies," answered +Evelyn, as she sat down on the curb of the sidewalk. + +"Senoritas--Senoritas," came the voice of the Rebel General, who had +climbed up on the side of the bridge. + +"What's the matter with that guy?" said Mickey, as she moved toward the +foot of the bridge to hear what he had to say. + +"Senoritas--can you hear me?" he called across the river. + +"Wait a minute--all right, spill it," called Evelyn. + +"Senoritas--we do not fight with women--you are perfectly safe." + +"Hell's fire--we know that now--ain't we over here?" answered Evelyn. + +"A thousand pardons, Senoritas--but we want you to come back and drink +with the victorious--to be our guests for the evening." + +"Now, you see," explained Evelyn, "that's what I call a gentleman, a +real fellow," as she walked over to the American General. "Say old top, +would you mind having them gates opened and let us go back on the other +side?" + +"No, those gates remain closed until this trouble is settled." + +"O. K. brother," as she went back to the girls, who were waving at the +rebels. "Come on, gang, we'll go back the way we came," and they started +off in the river, with much more enthusiasm than the first time. + +"Come back here," yelled one of the American officers. "You can't cross +that river." + +"The Hell you say," called Evelyn, who was already in the water, +leading the procession. "At least, these guys will buy us a drink." + +"Do you think it's safe to go over here now," Pearl asked Evelyn. + +"Sure, and profitable--these guys will open every safe in the town, and +all the champagne you can drink. I been through these things before," +explained Evelyn, as the rebels were wading out to help them. + +"You see," said Mickey, "these guys will drink so much they will just +pass out all over the place, and you can go through their pockets right +and left, in perfect safety, and how I'll go through them is nobody's +business." + +"It's all new to me, but I'm with you," answered Pearl. + +"Sure, honey, that's the way--get all you can--you can't never have too +much." + +The rebels were throwing their hats in the air, shouting at their +victory, with only one thought in their minds--to do all the looting +possible, and drinking as well. They started with the nearest bar, the +girls in their midst, singing, laughing, and looking forward to a +hilarious time. They didn't wait to open the bottles of champagne--they +broke the necks off and poured it over each other--they were wet from +the river, so why not be wet with liquor. + +The Federals of Mexico were taken to Fort Bliss and quartered until they +could be sent back to Mexico--they weren't prisoners--they were more +refugees than anything else. + +The rest of the day and night was spent in drinking, dancing, singing +and general hilarity. Juarez was never more gay or wild--looting was +indulged in--in a big way; every safe was opened. The rebels needed +gold, and American money, whether paper or silver, was gold to them--the +girls getting their share of the loot. + +"I've stood about all of this I can," said Pearl, as she tried to get up +from the table. + +"Do you want to go home, honey?" asked Evelyn. + +"Home or anywhere, but I've got to come out of this--I've been drinking +too much--I'll go nuts if I don't get out of it for a while." + +"O. K. dear, I'll take you home," said Evelyn, staggering to her feet. + +"Do you think you can manage it all right without me?" asked Mickey. + +"Sure--I can get Pearl home all right, but ain't you had enough yet?" + +"I've had plenty to drink, but I haven't got all the money I can use +yet." + +"Well, how much have you got?" asked Evelyn. + +"I don't know, but I've sure been going through these lice. I've got as +much as I dare put in my stockings, and I got wads in my waist, and +some pinned in my step-ins." + +"Well, we'll be seeing you,--come on, Pearl--give me your arm--we'll +make it some-how," as they staggered toward the door. + +"Do you think we will have to wade that damned river again?" asked +Pearl. + +"I hope not--we'll go to the gates, and I'll try and argue those guys to +let a couple of ladies through." + +Once again the two staggered toward the International Bridge. The +streets were deserted, not a person was to be seen, only a small group +around the foot of the bridge. Day was just beginning to break over the +horizon. + +"Where are you Senoritas going?" asked one of the Mexicans. + +"Home," said Evelyn. + +"I'm veer sorry, Senorita, but the Americans will not let you through +the gates." + +"Well, we will see about that," as they neared the huge wire gates. +"Hey--you--how's to let a couple of ladies through--we want to get +home." + +"Sorry, sister, we got orders to open these gates to no one," came the +answer. + +"Well, you got a Hell of a nerve--we're American citizens, and I demand +that you let us through." + +"Sorry, sister--but orders is orders." + +"Well, you louse, do you mean to tell us you are going to make us wade +that river again today?" + +"If you want to get to the American side, you'll have to wade it." + +"That's our good Americans for you," said Evelyn in disgust. "I'm damned +if I know which is the worst, these Goddamn Mexicans or that lousy +American scum that tries to be so damn important." + +"Come on, Ev--we've waded it before--we might as well do it again--at +that the cold water may wake us up." + +They walked back to the Mexican foot of the bridge, and over the levee, +holding to each other once more as they started again through the chill +waters of the Rio Grande. + +"Halt--who goes there?" came the challenge from the U. S. side, as they +neared the bank. + +"Who the Hell do you think?" asked Evelyn, as they climbed out of the +water. + +"Say, woman--ain't you got any more sense than to come across that river +that way? We will have to hold you now for investigation." + +"Oh, yeah? Brother, that's just too bad--we asked you to open those +gates, and let us through, and you wouldn't do it, now if you want to +really start some trouble, just try and hold us for wading across." + +"Well, you will have to come up on the bridge, and do some tall +explaining." + +"O. K. I'll do some explaining--you're damn tooting," as they all three +started for the foot of the bridge, where the commanding officer was +waiting. + +"These two women waded across the river, sir," explained the soldier, as +they walked up. + +"Would you mind explaining," began the officer, "what you two are doing +at this hour of the morning, wading across the International border?" + +"Oh--for Christ's sake--what's the big idea?" asked Evelyn. + +"Just this--you women think you can get away with this stuff because you +are women, and possibly because you think it's smart. Well, you +can't--you will have to be detained, and taken in front of the +Commanding General." + +"Well, you get a load of this--you low-born, half-witted, self-inflated +with your own importance, shave-tail Bastard--you ain't detaining me or +my girl friend for no investigation--see--you, or your men refused to +open that gate to let two American citizens through, and we had to wade +the river, and it's scum like you that has managed to get into office in +this country, and run it with stuffed uniforms that wouldn't know the +meaning of the word MAN if it was drawn in blue-print for them--you +stand and tell me what you are going to do--why, Goddamn you, when I get +through telling the General what I think, as well as the American +Consul, you'll be a buck private again--you've got a gall--you impudent +little runt." + +"Just the same, I'm sorry, but the General will have to give his O. K. +on your crossing." + +"Then, by God--you'll call him on the phone right now," said Evelyn. + +"It isn't customary to disturb the General at this hour of the morning." + +"That's too bad for the General, that he has to be aroused out of his +beauty sleep." + +"I will call him, even though it is not the ordinary routine." + +"And how you will call him," exclaimed Evelyn. + +"Well, I'm not quite used to the ways of the border yet, but it seems to +me to be rather against one to be an American down here," said Pearl. + +"The fault ain't with America--it's with the ignorant bastards that's +allowed to run it," answered Evelyn, as the Lieutenant was calling Fort +Bliss. + +After much delay the General was finally reached. "What the Hell are +you calling me for at this time of the morning?" he roared over the +phone. + +"I'm sorry, sir, but it's about two women that have just waded the +river, and we have detained them, and they have insisted that we call +you, or they will take it up with the American Consul. I thought it best +to call you." + +Evelyn leaned her ear close to the receiver. + +"Are they respectable women?" asked the General. + +"I'll answer that question," said Evelyn, as she snatched the receiver +from the Lieutenant. "What the Hell difference does it make whether we +are considered respectable or not--we are American citizens, that ought +to be enough." + +"Why were you wading the river at this hour of the morning?" asked the +General. + +"Because we want to get home, and one of your lackeys refused to unlock +the gates--that's why we waded the river." + +"Would you please let me talk to the gentleman who called me, please," +said the General, as he boiled. + +"Sure," as she turned to the Lieutenant. "He wants to talk to you," as +she handed him the receiver with mock dignity. + +"Get those women's addresses and names, and let them go, and don't you +call me again, as he slammed the receiver up. + +"Well, what did he tell you?" asked Evelyn, with contempt. + +"He asked me to get your names and addresses, and let you go home." + +"Ask Hell--he told you to, you mean--well, my name is Evelyn and I +haven't got a last name, as far as you are concerned, and I live at the +San Antonio Apartments," said Evelyn. + +"My name is Pearl Jones, and I live at the Hussman." + +"Hussman," repeated the Lieutenant. + +"Yeah, Hussman--and no smart cracks--from you, either--and don't get the +idea that you can use the addresses for your own convenience when you +have a day off." + +"I'm sorry to have caused you ladies any trouble," smiled the +Lieutenant. + +"Ah, nuts to you, brother," said Evelyn, as she gave him a loud, juicy +raspberry. + +"Come on, Ev--let's call a taxi--I'm as near all in as I'll ever be, and +live to tell it. Come on up to my joint and stay, will you? I don't like +to be alone." + +"Jees, I might as well move to your place--I don't seem to ever stay at +home any more," said Evelyn. "Here, we will call from the same phone +that big lousy Lieutenant just used," as she turned back. + +Loud rapping on the door aroused Pearl out of the deep sleep she had +been in since she had climbed into bed that morning. "Who's there?" she +called, still half asleep. + +"Mickey," came the voice outside. + +"Just a minute, dear, I'll let you in," answered Pearl, as she crawled +out of bed and staggered to the door. + +"For the love of Heaven, don't you expect to get up today?" + +"What time is it?" asked Pearl, yawning. + +"It's nearly five o'clock--have you been in bed all day?" + +"Uh-huh." + +"What's become of Evelyn? I've been over to her apartment several +times, and she hasn't been there all day." + +"She is here with me." + +"Well, you two sure have been sleeping sound. I been up here three +times, and had the clerk ring the room several times, but no answer." + +"We were nearly dead when we got here this morning. We had to wade that +damn river again. How did you get across?" + +"They opened the gates when I went and asked them to let me through." + +"Well, the lousy tramps--and the way they treated us this morning--they +sure was nasty." + +"I stayed as long as I thought it was safe for me to stay, I finally got +to go through the rebel General's pockets, then I decided to come home +and get a little sleep. I feel fine now, and did I make the dough last +night? Seven hundred bucks, not so bad." + +"I should say not. Come on and let's wake Ev up. Have you got anything +to drink with you? I haven't got a thing up here." + +"Yeah, I have a bottle with me. I sure know what it is getting up after +having been on a good one, and not having a little drink to pick me +up--it's awful," as they went into the bedroom, where Evelyn was still +snoring. + +"Hey, sister, snap out of it," yelled Mickey, as she shook Evelyn real +hard. + +Evelyn turned over and opened her eyes. "What's the big idea?" she +asked. + +"Look," said Mickey, as she held a pint of whiskey where Evelyn could +see it. + +"Oh, great Heavens, give me a drink quick, before I have time to start +thinking," as she raised up in bed, taking the bottle from Mickey. + +"Save me a drink, Ev," said Pearl, as she started to the bathroom. + +"Well, you better hurry back, you know when Ev gets a bottle, she don't +want to give it up until it's empty," called Mickey. + +"Did you make any money out of the revolution, Mickey?" asked Evelyn. + +"Sure, did you?" + +"I don't know yet, I haven't been sober enough to count it, but what +I've got is on the chair there," as she pointed to a chair, loaded with +clothes. + +"I'll hand it to you and see just how much you have made," said Mickey, +as she handed the clothes to Evelyn. + +"How long do you think the border will be closed, Ev?" asked Pearl. + +"Well, that's hard to tell. Sometimes those things last only a few days, +then again they have been known to last months, but if we can't go over +there, nobody else can, and I know all the apartments around here where +there are likely to be parties, so the only thing to do is make the +rounds of them, and chisel there, just like we did on the other side." + +"What about liquor?" + +"Don't worry about that--there is more on this side than there is on the +other side," said Evelyn, as she began to lay out her money. + +"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. + +"Sure, darling, I'll go any place--let's gather up all the licker we +have left here and get started," as she began to set all the bottles on +the sink. + +The news spread, and soon everybody was singing in a loud voice, "we're +going to the Hussman--we're going to the Hussman," amidst much skipping +and dancing. + +"Shall I call Tony?" asked Evelyn. + +"Sure," answered Pearl. "The sooner the better." + +"You better call several cars for this mob," said Pearl. + +"How many of them are there?" asked Evelyn, as she picked up the phone. + +"I don't know, but you better call about five or six cars, maybe +seven--there's some people out in the yard, and it's too dark to see how +many there are." + +"Hello, Tony--this is Ev--well, look--we want you to send some +transportation out to Mickey's for the party that is moving to the +Hussman--you knew that there was a party going on, didn't you? Well, I +guess there wasn't anyone who didn't--come right on out--O. +K.--good-bye," as she hung up. "They will be here right away." + +The cars soon began to arrive, the drivers were taken in and made to +drink whether they wanted to or not, and there were none who didn't want +to. Seven cars were little enough--people were hanging all over the +outsides of the cars, screaming and singing, some fully dressed, others +partially dressed, others with only a street coat and shoes on. + +They arrived at the Hussman--the bellboys were rushing around madly, +expecting at least to earn some tips, which they did by bringing ice, +and ginger ale to the room, the crowd unloaded in front of the hotel, +each one trying not to look drunk and to be a lady or gentleman, until +they got through the lobby to the elevator--some were helping others, +others were staggering it alone. Pearl and Evelyn and Mickey in the +lead, with Mickey loaded down with bottles, wrapped in a sheet like it +might be soiled laundry, elevators started the mad procession of getting +everyone off on the right floor, which became more noisy as the newness +of the place began to wear off. + +Pearl threw everything wide open, told everybody to make themselves at +home, which they were already doing--those who had gotten thirsty on the +ride were already in the kitchenette, uncorking bottles. Evelyn sat at +the phone, ordering more liquor; Pearl and Harry, locked in each other's +arms, oblivious to all that was taking place. Mickey eyeing one of the +taxi drivers that the crowd had brought with them, and wondering how +much he might have in his pockets, and proceeding to make him drunk +enough to find out. + +The party grew--other guests who were on the same floor, who were in the +mood, joined in the crowd. People were going from one room to another, +soon the phone in Pearl's apartment began to ring--the management asked +them to be just a little more quiet, as they were annoying guests five +floors away. The crowd was quiet at least three minutes, when it began +all over again, in all its flamboyancy--drinking began to get heavier, +some of the crowd began to pass out wherever they happened to be--that's +where they lay. + +Noon the following day. + +Big Boy approached the desk of the Hussman. "Is Miss Jones in?" + +"That would be rather hard to say, sir," answered the clerk, "but I'll +try and find out." + +"What do you mean by that?" asked Big Boy, puzzled. + +"Well, you see, sir--there has been a party going on on that floor, and +in her apartment, since last night, and it's only been quiet for about +two hours now. There were a few who left, I'll find out if Miss Jones is +still up there," as he asked the operator to ring Pearl's apartment, +which she did for several minutes, but got no answer. + +"I'll go up and see if she is there, and what the Hell's going on," as +he started for the elevator. + +The apartment door was standing half open--two of the maids were peeking +in, and commenting in low tones on what they saw, as Big Boy came up, +they moved away. + +He pushed the door open, stood looking in at the sight that greeted +him--of bodies laying on the floor, piled on the divan, on chairs, and +on each other. He started for Pearl's bedroom. + +Pearl was laying in Harry's arms on the bed, where they had both passed +out hours before. Evelyn was laying on the floor on one side, and Mickey +on the other. Mickey had passed out with her hand in the taxi driver's +pocket. + +Big Boy quivered with rage--he grabbed Harry and Pearl by the arms, and +dragged them out of bed, nothing on his mind except that Pearl had lied +to him again. + +Twenty minutes later the police began to arrive--screaming a partly clad +woman, running through the lobby headed for the street, made the more +respectable guests' eyes bulge in amazement. + +Pearl's apartment was a total loss. Big Boy had completely wrecked it +with Harry, who had come out of his stupor long enough to put up a +savage fight, all the participants of the party that could make a +get-away had done so, except those that were too drunk to realize that +this might mean a jail sentence. Evelyn had taken Pearl into the +bathroom, with the help of Mickey, and they were trying to revive her. + +"I'm afraid he's killed her, Mickey," said Evelyn excitedly, as she +patted cool water on Pearl's head, and wiped the blood off her face. + +"Oh, Jees, I hope not--let's keep working with her--maybe we can bring +her around--if somebody don't stop him, he is sure to kill Harry." + +"I wonder what that is?" asked Evelyn, as the screams in the other room +became louder, then died down. + +"Oh, God, he might have killed Harry. If he has, we are all sure in for +it." + +"Open that door, in the name of the Law," came a voice from the outside. + +Evelyn rose to her feet, and unlocked the door, swinging it wide open, +as one of the plain clothes men stepped in. + +"What's the matter in here?" + +"That louse has damn near killed this girl,--we can't bring her to," +said Evelyn. + +"All right, we'll get her to the emergency hospital quick," as he called +two of the other men to take charge of Pearl. "You two girls better come +with us." + +"Where?" asked Mickey. + +"Police station, sister--you've been there before." + +"Well, that's all right by us--we don't mind--we ain't done nothing." + +The lobby was in a panic, the ambulance had taken Harry and Pearl to the +hospital, and the patrol wagon was backed up to the door, partly filled +with screaming girls, and three officers had over-powered Big Boy, and +had him in another car. + +"You girls get in the wagon with the rest of your sisters," said the +officer who brought Mickey and Evelyn down. + +They arrived at the station, and were booked with disturbing the peace, +and disorderly conduct. + +Big Boy was booked with disturbing the peace, assault and battery with +intent to kill. + +"Can we get out on bail?" asked Evelyn. + +"Sure," answered the desk sergeant. "Ten bucks." + +"I've got mine, have you enough Mickey for yourself?" + +"Yes, I have some dough," as she fished some money out of her stocking. + +They rushed over to the hospital, where they were told that Pearl was +resting easy, and there was nothing serious but cuts and bruises, of +which there were many. + +"Ah, gee, kid, I'm sorry," said Evelyn, as she came to the bed where +Pearl lay bandaged, "How do you feel?" + +"Awful, honey--how is Harry? They haven't told me yet. Will you find out +for me?" + +"Sure, I'll find out for you. Mickey you stay here until I come back." + +"That guy's a dirty louse to beat you up this way, but don't you worry, +dear, you will be all right. I wish I had a dollar for every time I've +been to the hospital for some guy finding out I went through his +pockets." + +"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 bastard 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-bitch 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 scrape, 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. + +"Oh, nothing, honey--he wanted to see you. He had calmed down and you +won't have nothing more to worry about, so you just rest and get well." + +"I'm afraid you ladies will have to go now," said the nurse, as she +came to the foot of the bed. + +"I'll be up later and see if I can do anything," said Evelyn, as she and +Mickey rose to go. + +"Come back as soon as they will let you," said Pearl. + +"All right, honey, we'll go and move your things now, and then we will +be back later. Now, don't you worry, honey, you just rest--good-bye," as +they left the room. + +"What did he have to say, Ev?" as they reached the street. + +"Well, it ain't so much what he said, but it's the way he said it. I'm +afraid he might kill her if he gets hold of her again. Of course, he is +sorry and all that now, but the next time he gets mad at her, or catches +her with somebody else, he will kill her as sure as there is a Heaven. +He said if he couldn't have her, no one else could, and you know him, +Mickey, he means business." + +"You're right there, Ev, that guy means business. Well, he can't get at +her there in the hospital." + +"I'm not afraid of him doing anything to her there--he wants to make up +with her now--it's when he gets mad at her again that I'm afraid of, but +I'm pretty sure she is off him now for good." + +"Yeah--and it's a shame. If she could only have cared for that guy, even +a little bit, she would have been sitting pretty, but love is blind, so +they claim, so she falls for Harry, and he also gets the Hell beat out +of him. Well, it sure was some fight." + +A week passed, rather uneventful--the Mexican trouble was settled and +the border opened again. Evelyn spent as much time as possible with +Pearl, accompanied by Mickey. Harry had already left the hospital, and +Pearl would be out in a few days. The rest had done her good, and she +gained weight in those few days. + +"Has Harry been to see you today?" asked Evelyn. + +"Sure, he was over to see me this morning. He looks as good as ever, and +he is so sweet. The nurse told me I could leave here in the +morning--ain't that good news?" + +"I'm sure glad, but what are you going to do about Big Boy? You don't +know it, but he has damn near driven me crazy--he is wild to see you--he +knows Harry has been up here whenever he wants to come, and he is wild +with jealousy." + +"Well, it's up to me to stay out of his way. He knows where you live, +and he can come up there any time he wants to, so I'll have to stay in a +hotel so he can't come up. Won't you move in with me for a while, Ev?" + +"Sure, kid, I'll move in with you for a while. I know how you feel and +I'm kinda tired of that apartment, anyhow. Let's move to the McCoy, what +do you say? I think you'll like it." + +"All right, Ev, you go pick out the room, so I will have some place to +go to in the morning." + +"I'll go now, and do that before I go over on the other side of the +river. Good-bye, honey, I'll see you in the morning," as she rose to go. + +Pearl left the hospital, and went to the hotel, where she found Evelyn +in bed. + +"I didn't expect you to be out so soon, or I would have been down to +meet you," said Evelyn, as she raised up in the bed. + +"I didn't know myself, but it's grand to be out again and walk +around--how is Juarez?" + +"Just the same--I had a pretty good night last night. Mickey picked a +live guy for me, and I got a hundred and ten bucks off him--that is, +Mickey put her hand in his pocket and took it out and give it to me. She +said I had earned the money by being with him. You know Mickey, and I +just couldn't refuse--money is money." + +"See anything of Big Boy?" + +"I was coming to that--I,--well, you will have to be awful careful, +honey--that guy is on a drunk, and he is bad--he told me last night that +the first time he sees you he is going to shoot you. I don't think he +was kidding, either--he means business. Then again he might just be +bragging, because he was so drunk--but just the same, don't you think it +would be best to kinda keep out of sight for a few days?" + +"Ah, gee, Ev, I wanted to go over tonight--couldn't we go some place +that he wouldn't think to go, and that way we wouldn't be likely to run +into him. You must know of some place over there we can go and drink and +have a good time?" + +"Sure, I know the very place, and I don't think you have ever been +there. It's one of the places that Grace Valdez owns--you remember the +old girl I introduced you to--the one who owns the Gold Palace. Well, +this is her best money-making place, so she says. It is a regular +cabaret and bar, with about thirty or forty girls working there, and +they have rooms upstairs--but lots of people go there--sure, we will go +over there tonight--what do you say?" + +"That's fine--I'm just raring to go on a good one tonight--how about +you?" + +"I could start right now, as far as I'm concerned." + +"I'll tell you what let's do--you get up, and let's go shopping. I need +some new things, anyhow--will you come?" + +"Sure," answered Evelyn, as she climbed out of bed. + +They spent the day shopping, and went to a show, then began to dress for +the night over the border. As they were leaving the hotel they ran into +Mickey. + +"Well, it sure is good to see you out and around again Pearl--we sure +have missed you." + +"That's nice of you, Mickey." + +"Hey, look Mickey," said Evelyn. "We're going to the popular bar +tonight--you know, the one up that side street, off the Sixteenth of +September Street there--you know where it is, don't you?" + +"Sure, I know where that joint is--that's a good idea--keep out of sight +of the Big Boy, especially till that louse gets over these fits of +jealousy." + +This was too late--Big Boy was standing across the street watching the +three as they were talking about him, eyes almost closed, watching Pearl +as a snake watches a bird. + +As they moved down the street to catch the car for Juarez, Big Boy +followed. He boarded the car with them, but stayed in the back, with +his hat well over his face. + +The night was beginning as they unloaded in Juarez. + +"Oh, Jees----" said Evelyn, "don't look, but there is Big Boy just +getting off the rear of the car--let's disappear pronto." They ran up +the block and into the darkness. + +"Do you think he will suspect where we are going?" asked Pearl. + +"I don't think so. He will probably figure you will make right for +Harry, and that's where he will go, and wait for you," reasoned Mickey +as they made their way on up the dimly lighted street to the Popular +Bar. + +As they neared the Popular sounds of a tinkling piano and drums, mixed +with laughing and singing, came to them. The place was crowded with men +who had not only come over for their satisfaction of liquor, but to +satisfy their baser lusts as well--and this was the perfect place of +satisfaction of this sort. The girls were in short dresses, heavily made +up, with cheap rouge and powder--they mixed with the men, hugging and +kissing whomever put their arms around them, thinking only of the two +dollars that could be made upstairs. + +"Jees, what a joint," exclaimed Pearl. + +"You said it," answered Evelyn. + +"Yeah--but you got a chance of making some real money in this +place--when these guys are hugging any broad in the place you can always +get your hand in the pocket and he never knows just who to blame," said +Mickey as she looked the place over for a prospect. + +"Well, we might as well get to the bar and start sipping some of that +joy water, don't you think?" suggested Evelyn. + +"Let's get at it," as they shoved their way through the crowd. + +"This place does the best business in town--at least it looks that way," +said Pearl. + +"Well, they can get rougher and noisier, and just anything goes, and +this is some tough mob in here right now." + +"Where did Mickey go?" asked Pearl. + +"Heaven only knows, but she must have smelled a pocketbook--anyway, she +will show up in a minute--whiskey for me--what will you have, honey?" + +"Whiskey." + +The music started in the cabaret, the crowd shoved its way onto the +dance floor, leaving the bar partly empty. Big Boy stepped through the +swinging doors. + +"Oh, God," whispered Pearl, "Big Boy." + +There was no place to run, no time, nothing to do but wait as Big Boy +drew a service automatic from his pocket, leveled it at Pearl, pulled +the trigger six times. Evelyn had stepped in front of Pearl, taking the +six bullets--she sank to the floor, everything was silent--Pearl dropped +to her knees, lifting Evelyn's head. + +"Oh, Ev, why did you do it--why did you do it?" she cried in anguish. + +The crowd had fought and shoved its way back into the bar. Mickey knelt +beside Pearl. + +Evelyn slowly opened her eyes. "Don't cry, kid, its best this way--you +still have a chance--Mickey, promise you will--" slowly her words came, +then a faint shudder, and her head fell forward. Evelyn was no more. +There is nothing greater than to give one's life for that of a friend. +Evelyn had made the Great Gesture. + +A shot was heard outside. People ran out to see what it was. Pearl and +Mickey looked at each other. + +"It's the guy that done this," said a man. "One shot was all he needed +to finish him, right through the heart." + +Six weeks since Evelyn had been buried. Pearl had not been in Juarez +since that night. Harry had called up several times, but she had only +seen him once, and tonight the desire to see him was so great she called +up Mickey and made a date with her to meet on the Mexican side and see +Harry. It wouldn't be the same without Evelyn, but she still had Harry +and he could always be depended on--he loved her--she knew that. + +"Hello, darling," said Mickey as she put her arms around Pearl. "You +look a little peaked; let's have a little drink and then we will go in +and see the floor show." + +"All right," said Pearl, as she turned to the bar. + +They had their drinks and found a table where they could see Harry and +the show. Pearl was happy for the first time in weeks. She loved Harry +dearly; with him she could start all over and face life on a different +plane. He saw her and waved, and soon he come over to them. + +"Well, it's been some time since I've seen you--how are you?" said Harry +as he leaned over the table. + +"Fine, Harry, and you look wonderful." + +"Listen, darling, you will have to excuse me tonight--I won't be able to +see you after the show. I've got an engagement, about some business, +but I'll give you a ring in a day or so," as he left the table. + +Pearl looked at Mickey--Mickey looked at her glass as she laid her hand +over Pearl's. + +"Forget it, kid, he's not worth it--have another drink and let's get out +of here." + +Pearl couldn't speak. The thing she depended on had been suddenly swept +away from her. She wanted to cry--she couldn't. She wanted to +scream--she couldn't do that. She was too numb to even think much. +Harry, who she had loved, and whom she thought loved her, had given her +the cold freeze-out. She drank her whiskey--it did no good--water would +have had the same effect now--nothing really mattered. She and Mickey +wandered from bar to bar until closing time of the bridge. + +"Do you want to come out to my place tonight, Pearl, honey? You are +always welcome," asked Mickey. + +"I guess so," answered Pearl, "but let's go to the State's Cafe before +we go home--I want a sandwich." + +"Do you think it's best to go to the States, dear?" + +"Sure, I'll be all right." + +"Let's go." + +They arrived at the States at the height of the merriment. The last of +the crowd had gathered there before going home with each other. Pearl +and Mickey came in. As they sat down, across the aisle sat Harry and a +little blonde who had just come to town. He looked over to their table, +smiled and waved, and went on with his talk to his partner. + +Pearl began to laugh--not a hysterical laugh, but one filled with mirth. +"Who in this Goddam joint has a drink," she called as she rose from the +table. Several men rushed to her aid with open bottles; she took a drink +from them all, and so did Mickey. She was gay, nothing mattered +now--have as much fun as possible. Ribald songs were sung by her and the +best of dirty stories came to her mind. The crowd was so entertained it +wouldn't leave. + +"Do you want to invite them all out to the house?" whispered Mickey. + +"Sure," answered Pearl. "Listen, gang--get all your cars, and let's get +going for a hell of a good time out to Mickey's," as she jumped off the +table into the arms of the nearest man. + +"Pearl, can't I see you for a minute?" asked Harry as he pushed his way +to her. + +"You have a business date to keep--now, brother, you keep it. I fell for +that line once, but never again--Adios, Senor," as she went out the door +in the arms of the man for the night. + + +END + + +[Transcriber's Note: + +List of changes to original text: + + Page 1: changed "tthe word" to "the word" + Page 6: changed "Evevlyn" to "Evelyn" + Page 7: changed "youv'e" to "you've" + Page 8: changed "waived Ev" to "waved Ev" + Page 10: changed "yesterdady afternoon" to "yesterday afternoon" + Page 17: added closing quotation mark after "a good time." + Page 22: changed "acount" to "account" + Page 23: changed "raucus" to "raucous" + Page 30: changed "Cant'" to "Can't" + Page 30: changed "couldnt'" to "couldn't" + Page 32: changed "Adois" to "Adios" + Page 39: added closing quotation mark after "a little revolution." + Page 43: changed "waived" to "waved" + Page 45: changed "or tortillas" to "of tortillas" + Page 46: changed "croner" to "corner" + Page 51: changed "Rio Brava" to "Rio Bravo" + Page 60: removed extra quotation mark: + "Well," what's that got to do with us?" + Page 61: added "know" to "don't Negro Noche." + Page 80: added closing quotation mark after "won't get in jail." + Page 81: Added quotation mark: + "Well, suppose they start looking + Page 102: changed "Fod" to "For" + Page 102: added closing parantheses after "this pan of mine)" + Page 116: moved quotation mark from "his things." to "Next time" + Page 117: removed extra quotation mark after "as soon as she came in." + Page 119: changed "she went out the door" to "he went out the door" + Page 130: removed duplicate word in "he cannot cannot be responsible" + Page 145: removed extra quotation mark after "started into the lobby." + Page 147: changed "out of Pearl's head" to "out of Pearl's hand" + Page 149: added closing quotation mark after "it's just grand." + Page 149: changed "putting on the Ritz," to "putting on the Ritz." + Page 150: changed "Eve" to "Ev" + Page 154: Added quotation mark: + "Negro Noche wasn't even arrested--the + Page 156: changed "come n" to "come in" + Page 156: changed full stop to comma in: + across the border." said Evelyn. + Page 159: changed "marreid" to "married" + Page 159: changed "quitely" to "quietly" + Page 160: Corrected quotation marks: + "Hey, you two," as she shook them. "Come on--come + Page 161: changed "Cemetary" to "Cemetery" + Page 161: Added quotation mark: + sat down beside her. "I'll call + Page 162: Added comma and quotation mark: + this time," asked one of the officials. + Page 163: changed "They way they" to "The way they" + Page 165: removed duplicate word in "over the the phone" + Page 166: removed duplicate word in "fight for one one side" + Page 167: added comma to "Come on, here's where" + Page 169: changed "Lets'" to "Let's" + Page 169: changed "cemetary" to "cemetery" in two places + Page 170: changed "cemetary" to "cemetery" + Page 171: Added quotation mark: + "We tried to get a taxi + Page 174: Added quotation mark: + shot anyone she found with him." + Page 175: changed "Rio Brava" to "Rio Bravo" + Page 180: changed "found it's mark." to "found its mark." + Page 181: Added comma and quotation mark: + those 75's," commanded the General + Page 182: Added quotation mark: + "At your command, I have come, Senor," said + Page 183: removed duplicate word in "What do you say say if" + Page 187: changed "thats" to "that's" + Page 187: changed "waiving" to "waving" + Page 187: Added quotation mark: + officers. "You can't cross that river." + Page 190: changed "dont'" to "don't" + Page 190: removed duplicate word in "I don't know know, but" + Page 198: Added quotation mark: + don't you call me again," as he + Page 199: changed "Lietenant" to "Lieutenant" + Page 202: Added quotation mark: + Evelyn turned over and opened her eyes. "What's + Page 203: Removed extra quotation mark after: + revolution, Mickey?" asked Evelyn." + Page 203: changed apostrophe to quotation mark: + "Sure, did you?' + Page 205: added comma to "those that haven't got a dime, but" + Page 206: changed "it's being on the" to "its being on the" + Page 208: Removed extra quotation mark in: + "Sure, darling," I'll go any place + Page 209: Added quotation mark: + "Sure," answered Pearl. + Page 209: changed "good bye" to "good-bye" + Page 211: changed "all it's flamboyancy" to "all its flamboyancy" + Page 216: changed "distrubing" to "disturbing" in two places + Page 224: changed "cant'" to "can't" + Page 224: changed "Wont'" to "Won't" + Page 225: changed "give to to me" to "give it to me" + Page 226: added "be" to "it would be best" + Page 227: Moved quotation mark: + "Sure," answered Evelyn, + Page 232: Added quotation mark: + whispered Pearl, "Big Boy." + Page 233: Added comma: + that done this," said a man. + Page 212: Added full stop: + started for the elevator.] + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Hookers, by Richard F. 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