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.