I
!, ;.
“THE
GOOD BAD
GIRL”
—BY
WINFREl) VAN DUZEN
Chapter !>8
The room was cold and dark when
Merle came. Mimsi let him in with
but a word, prepared to accept dis
appointment; it was only after she
had pushed on the lights that she
saw Hurbeck’s hulk looming behind
him.
“1 persuaded him to come- knew
you’d wunt to see him,” Merle ex
plained with his smile.
The big man nodded, lumbered to
ward the telephone and Merle drew
her aside. They sat .together, whis
pering.
“He’s left word for the l)'st>ict
Attorney, Mimsi. They're to call him
at nine o’clock.
He laid his watch in her lap. It
was five minutes of the hour; she
followed ther hand creeping up to the
tangent, jumped when the bell rang
Harheck spoke briefly, in his soft, re*
* strained voice; she caught words:
. . Mori woman . . . Friend
of hers, red-r aired girl . '. . no,
she’s out! You understand? I’ll hold
you responsible . . thank you—
thank you . . .”
Ho turned his remote gaso upon
Mimsi, whose hand trembled on his
arm.
“Why, is that all! Is— w that ail,
Mr, Harbeek? The pot ice—they won’t
come now?,’’ She thought, “llis
power! Ho is a despot!”
“III go away now,’ she cried. “I’ll
go away and lose myself somewhere.
I’ll not trouble, you—anyone- ”
“And your promise? The year ends
in June.”
“Oh, you want me to stay ? You
mean I’m to go on? Hut you’re
kind!’
Merle turned back as they were
leaving, handed her a newspaper.
“They’ve caught the killer, lie’s con
fessed. Get some sleep, Hi tie Red
head. I’ll come tomorrow.”
When the door had closed, she
opened the paper under the light,
looked at a new likeness of Nitn be
side one of the geranium girl. There
whs a caption, “Two Victims of Cap
tured Blackmailer.”
Beneath was a copy of n picture
snapped on the street. Mimsi studied
■ it without surprise, felt that she hail
been waiting to see it. The varnished
sheen of hair that showed even under
the turned-down hat-brim and through
the blUB of ink; thu predatory eyes.
The .yellow faced man! His name be
, neath, and after it, “Slayer.”
That was the longest night that
Mimsi was ever to remember*
Afterwards things went along much
os they had before excepting that
tthe felt older, les-i open to happiness,
less eager for life.
Merle came to see her frequently
and his attitude was friendly, affec
tionate, rather brotherly. Sometimes
she wished that ho wouldn’t come,
For their meetings always left her
restless, with th-> familiar aching a*
he rheart. And then she would cal'
herself an ingratc, and weep with re
morse.
One Sunday afternoon she had an
.other guest. Alice Hart came, all
gentle interest., ami sat. with h< r hand
in Mimi i’s,' while she talked of the.
children and of her wonderful Tom
and her no less wonderful brother,
■'Merle saya that you keep to your
“"if too niuih, We’ve be< n looking:
forward to a visit. Perhaps you could
come for a few days? vou seem
Dither fired, almost ,;mi. Mimsi.
Could^X 1 help you, deer?”
Minmi struggled to keep hack tears.
“No, Alice dear. I’m all ri^ht; work-j
ing hind is all. I'd live to v. it you
and the babies. Hut I don’t know; I
don't suppose I’ll ever have a chance
again—’
“Oh yes, dear—oh yes! You'll visit!
us again!” Alice's quick, gay tone and
her smile surprised Mimsi; it was as
if she had a pleasant, secret under- j
■■taruling of some sort. How wonder- j
fill to be happy like that; to be sure j
of yourself and free. But there we;— |
things Alice ddnt know. Iliut she 1
urobslbly couldn’t comprehend. liar-!
beck, for instance.
It was May when Merle came to,
<11 her good-bye for a time. He was
going back to the country; back to
the silver river.
• “But I.’ll see you occasionally,” he >
promised. “1*11 be in town once in aj
while. So this 's just ‘an ’voir’ really.
I’ll come for your exhibition, you may
hofure!”
She ;,aid, “Mv exhibition, Merle?”
“Didn’t you know? White says it’s
being planned for late spring. Rather
•in off season, but he doesnt want to j
wo t. limbeck is delighted, he told j
me.”
“Well, I didn’t know. They don’t j
tell me much. I’ll misr. you. Meric.
Rut if thoughts can help!’
“They can. So long, then!” He
kissed her with a brotherly little pat
on the shoulder, and was gone.
Chapter 59
Mimsi’a exhibition was over, ami
Winship White was .iufc.lant.
“My word, now! ‘Old Master’! Hah!
Did you hear what Skinner said about
that canvas, ‘Adventure’ ? Toughest
critic of the lot, too! And Cornell!
Know he bought one? ‘The Common
Law’! Wanted it for his studio. Hay,
what’s the matter? What are you
crying about? Hey. now,— ’ 1 he
■ray. bushy brows, scurried up and
down and the tilted eyes were pus
/. led.
“I’ve—I’ve got to cry a little. 1 m
, so—so happy, you see—’
“There’s n woman for you! Cries
because she’s happy! Well, you lis
ten to me, child, arid don’t forget what
I’ve got to say. You’ve an artist!
i You’re safe now; your future is safe
| if you keep after it. But keep after
it! Right in your hands. The critics
t'ke you. Cornell likes you. So do I.
Hey, I’m proud of you, girl! Now
what are you going to do? Tell me
that, now; what are you going to do
with yourself?”
“•Why, I'm going to paint—to k"ep
“Why, I going to paint—to keep
after my future.” she answered,
laughing through the tears. “First
I’m going to see Harbeok and then
I’m going to rent a cheap place, a
ljttl“ studio somewhere. Perhaps
vou’ll help me if I strike rough
spots ?
“It’s—why Mr. White, dear, it's
past the first of June! My year is
up! Do you think he'll he—well,
glad. Mr. Harbeck? I’ll go and see
him now—”
So .White shook hands with her,
rather solemnly, and for the third
time she set out across the Park to
ward the house in the Eighties,
Ones again she was bewildered by
the sight of Harbeck in his robe and
cap, bvooding besides 'he crouching
Buddha, in the shadows of his li
brary. She went toward him boldly,
however, helped hersel fto n seat.
She said, “Did you know that some
of my paintings were sold? ‘The Corn
mon I.aw’—did you know Cornell
bought it for his studio? Mr. Harbeck
now I can repay you! Now I can give
you back the money you’ve spent for
me!” ,
He nodded, sleepily, and she thought
‘‘Well, that was easy. Perhaps I
didn’t understand him. Yet—all lie's
done—”
Once before he had seemed to read
her thought; now he appeared to be
answering what was in her mind by
a nupstion:
“Have you pot over being afraid o;
me, Mims!?’
“Why—” she stammered. “Why—
r<rajd you? I didn’t realize . . .
You’ve been very kind. You’ve been
so very kind—’
His eyes, were colorless, with no ex
pression, but the curious smile <iuiv
ered over hpi face.
He said, “Have you ev<5'r thought
that people are as you see them? Bo,
cause 'i man is old and fat and rich
you look upon him as a Moloch with
innocent young working girls disap
pearing in his maw and he’ll be that
—to you!
“People reflect your opinion of
them. They give you what you ex
pect. I expected fairness of you. You
see you were fair in spite of your
self! You fought against being fair.”
“Ini sorry now. Dreadfully sorry!”
“You’ve learned. You’ll learn that
T wasn’t what you thought. All—
you’re wondering why? Beause it
we- n’t your true self that saw me!”
“Iluc that’s dreaming true!” she
thought. “He dreams true, then, this,
Mr,' Uarbeik; Perhaps, I did. too,
without understanding it. Perhaps,
deep in my heart, I dreamed true and
that’s what saved me!”
"You have talent,’ he went on.
“White said so, but that was of small
importance. I saw your work and I
said so. Talent must be served. You
were an investment. I have wealth, but
I look upon i: as a trust. I could
found libraries, build museums. I
prefer to build genius!
“White says your tuture is saie—
if you work hard. You owe that to
mo. a standing: debt, to make the
most of what is in you!’
“Why did they say he was sinister,
some of them?” her thought raced on.
“Why, he’s only a gentle, lovable, old
creature, a little wistful—”
“I must tell you ‘good bye’ now
as a charge, Mirnsi. I hope you wiil
come here sometimes. One frets
lonely, and yfiung people . .
He offered his top-small, womanish
hand, and she clasped it in both hers.
On an impulse she leaned down and
pressed a kiss against his cheek.
There were happy days, then; gold
en, beautiful summer days. Mimsi
spent a month in Tranquillity, idling
through the quiet streets sitting under
the elms beside the headstone with
their worn lettering, “Peter Marsh”
i and “Vera Verpnica Marsh.” Some
times she whispered to the old stones;
wh'sptred and felt sweetly under
j stood.
i Then she would walk home, smiling
at the brass knockers. They meant
j nothing to her now; they had tost the
: trick of symbolism.
She had intended to remain longer
with Aunt Kate; there was no reason
why she shouldn’t have turned the
big attic into a studio and worked
there through the summer. But she
kept thinking of the woodland stretch
| outside the town; wondering if the
tent stood in the clearing. The
thought "made her rustless; brought
a, faint unhappiness. She decided to
j return to New York.
To Be Concluded
1 Copyright 1020 King Features Syn
dicate, Inc.
i Doubtless patriotism is what
makes one people mad when a home
i radical it scorns is rejected by anotlu
| er fcouniry.
PONT
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}•>
-—AREY BROTHERS_
215 S- Washington St. Shelby., N. C.
I
jj DON’T—
I Buy coa! “just as good as” Rex—but
p buy the genuine Rex-LaFolIette and get the
best. Now is the time to lay in the winter’s
supply. $8.00 a ten - the cheapest in ten
years.
D. A. BEAM-PHONE 130
THE GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION
OF
Union Trust Co.
AND ITS THREE BRANCHES AT
LATTIMGRE, LAWNDALE AND
FALLSTON
Render it fully capable and convenient to
serve the neople of CLEVELAND
COUNTY.
We Can Bo Of Service To You.
PLEASE USE US.
Union Trust Co.
— Banking Insurance Trust:—
Shelby - Lattimore — Lawndale — Fallston
-WANTED
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POULTRY AND EGGS AT ALL
TIMES.
IDEAL ICE & FUEL COMPANY
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BY MAIL (P
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but they have such an exaggerated
idea"of cost until they are afraid
to get the facts. We wilt be only
too glad to suggest proper awn,
inga for your home and their small
cost will be a surprise to you.
DIZE QUALITY AWNINGS LOOK
BETTER—LAST LONGER
dize mb & m mm
—FOR PERSONAL APPOINTMENT CALL NO. U—
MANUFACTURERS SINCE 1965.
STARhVANT ADS BRING RESULTS.
Getting Rid of the Pastor
Sistah Jones, I’se takin’ up a col- j
lection fo de benefit of our worthy i
pastah, exclaimed one of the brethren. j
You know, he’s leavin’ us fo to take J
c church down in Mobile, an’ we |
thought we'd get together and give;
him a little momentum.
Regular Paragon
Housewife—I waiV a :. rvant. S1m>
must be honest, industrious, clean
and reliable.
Employment Agent—You had bet
ter take four. You will possibly find
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BOILING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
Situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
A standard co-edueationu! high school with brick
buildings, strain !.■ at, electric lights, college trained
teachers, unsurpassed literary societies, well organized
religious activities, and an active athletic association
under direction of an able coach.
Two literary courses are offered with special depart
ments in Piano, Voice, Art, China Painting, Household
Arts and Bible. _
Expenses, including’ hoard, tuition, room rent, neat,
lights and incidentals, $198.10 for the entire nine months.
For catalogue and information apply to —
J. D. HUGGINS, Principal,
BOILING SPRINGS, N. C.
--SCHEDULES
INTER-CAROLINA MOTOR BUS CO.
Shelby to Charlotte—7, 0* 11, 1, 3, 5, 7:30.—Charlotte to Shelby
—8. 10. 12. 2, 4, G.
Kings Mountain to Charlotte—7:30, 9:30, 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, 15:30,
8.30. Direct, connection made in Kings Mountain for Spartanburg
*nd Greenville in the morning—One hour layover in afternoons.
Bessemer City to Charlotte—7:45, 9:46, 11:45, 1:45, 3:45,
5:45, 8:45.
Gastonia to Charlotte, leaves every hovr on the hour, from 7 A.
M, to 8 P. M. Connection made there for Rock Hill, S. C.;
Spartanburg, Greenville, Cramerton, Lincolnton and Cherryville,
York and Clover, S. C.
Gastonia to Shelby—On the odd hours, making connections for
Rutherfordton, Hendersonville, Asheville and Statesville
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Rock Hill to Charlotte—10:30, 1:30, 4:15.
Buss leaves Spartanburg C:15 P. M. Connections at Kings
Mountain, Charlotte.
Telephones:
Charlotte 2G71, Gastonia 1051, Shelby 450 Shelby to Rutherford
ton— 8 A. M. and 1 P. M. Rutherfordton to Shelby—9:40 A. M.
& 2:15 P. M.
Shelby to Asheville—10:00 A. M. 12, 2. 4, G P. M. Asheville to
Shelby—8, 9 & 11 A. M. & 2, 4, P. M.
Shelby—7:20 A. M., 10 A. M., 1 P ,M , 4:30 P. M.
Lincolnton—8:30. A. M„ 11 A. M„ 3:00 P. M. 6:30 P. M.
Schedules Subject to Change.
HAVE YOU LISTED YOUR TAXES
YET?
BETTER GET BUSY
Only 8 more day3 arc left in which to
lUt property and polls for taxes. With the
close of July 8th all the unlisted will be
forwarded to the grand jury for investi
gation.
I will be at Court House to take your
returns from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.
0
W. R. NEWTON,
County Tax Supervisor.
4
Luremont—
On Lake Lure
In Chimney Rock Mountains
Many widely-traveled persons of
discriminating taste regard Chimney
Rock Mountains as the most beautiful
place in America.
It is soon to become the playground
and a social center of North Carolina.
There will be at Luremont, four golf
courses, a polo ground, an aviation land
ing field, numerous tennis courts, one
hundred miles of hiking and riding trails.
Every kind of water craft will ply upon
the lake, including yachts, motor boats,
sail boats, row boats, etc.
Eor a choice location in Luremont
_see_
c. L. T. FISHER — PHONE 535
Central Hotel Lobby,
Shelby, N. C.