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."