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Show K I DAUGHTER 'I I I I By I I I Ethel Hueston WNTJ Service Copyright by the A SYNOPSIS. Bobbs-Merri- J ll Co. PRESENT" PART ONE At a merry party In the etudio apartment of Carter Blake, New York. Jerry (Geraldine) Harmer, Prudence's daughter, meets Duane Allerton, wealthy Idler. He admires her tremendously, and she likes him. But Allerton gets a bit exhilarated, with unfortunate results. Jerry, resenting his assumption of familiarity, leaves the party abruptly. The story turns to Jerrys childhood and youth at her home in Des Moines. Only child of a wealthy father, when she is twenty she feels the call of Art and asks her parents to let her go to New York for study. With some misgiving, they agree to her going. In New York Jerry makes her home with a .Mrs. Delaney CMlnti), an actress, who, with Theresa, a painter, occupies the house. Jerry takes an Immediate liking to Theresa, who ' is talented and eccentric, and the two become fast friends. Jerry now devotes herself to Theresa, who returns her liking. Jerry poses for Theresas masterpiece, The Ocean Rider." Allerton calls on Jerry. The girl refuses to see him. At a hotel dinner Jerry sees Duane and Is conscious of his admiration, but refuses to change her attitude toward him. Jerry becomes convinced she has not the ability to become an artist and gives her expensive painting equipment to an almost penniless girl student, Greta Val, who cannot understand her generosity. CHAPTER VI Continued "Jealous! Not a bit of It. Im Just tired of supporting husbands, thats ' all. , i Well, the last two were a little ch "I should say they were. One stole half the furniture to hock for booze, and the other made love to everybody in the house including me so you know he was crazy and neither one of them earned a cent during their their incumbency, as you might say. Well, suppose you go on down now, Miml, you make me wild. I want to work. Isnt she polite, Jerry? I dont see how you can stand her. It makes me furious, just to look at her. Miml trailed out, In a Sne hanteur, and closed the door upon the two girls. If you ever get married, Jerry, Theresa said, dont let Miml have anything to do with picking him out. She has the rottenest luck with husbands. Jerry professed her entire disinclination for a husband of any picking. I.ut her eyes were cloudy. A few nights later she saw Duane Allerton again. It was a studio dinner at Aimee Glorlans. While the other four of the little party played bridge, Jerry and Leonid Kornev, one of the new school of Russian actors, with whom New York abounds, washed and dried the dishes, and then turned on the phonograph, and tagoed gayiy about the table in the center of tha room where the others wore playing. Leonid was obviously enchanted, Jerry gay and not deterring. He held her close In his arms, drawing her ardently closer at frequent Intervals. Jerry laughed, thrust a bare white elbow between them, crooking It Impudently almost in his very face, boldinB him a little away. Leonid kissed her arm. Jerry was looking up, directly Into his eyes, teasing, laughing, as they danced slowly about He shifted his urm suddenly, crushing her elbow away, holding her so close that she was obliged to tilt back her head to avoid his face touching hers. I 6hall bite your chin If yon do that again, she warned him merrily. That was when she saw Duane, who had come In quietly and was standing in the shadow of a towering highboy it the corner. Jerry strove In vain to throw off the chill of depression, to smile with the same assiduous warmth upon Leonid. She could tot The others at the table, quarreling fiercely over a hand, did not even stop to welcome Duane when he Joined them. When Jerry and Leonid paused to hear the argument Duane hurriedly v.oufid the phonograph and asked her to dance. Jerry shook her head. No. ihankn. Not now. Im tired." . She even smiled a little, tc deceive the CHAPTER VII ethers In the room. Duane turned his back upoa them, And Jerry Saw Prudence to forcing her to withdraw from them a Jerry left Aimee at the entranceInto little and stand alone with him. herself j let "Will you after a little when yon Reillys alley, hurriedly stairs the up and house, started th. are rested? on a light run. She was impatient to She shook her head again, smiling, see the Theresa had left for not looking at him. "I fancy I shall her. Shepresent noticed no unnatural quiet be tired all evening," she said. In the house. And yet when Bhe saw "You are more beautiful than ever Miml waiting for her at the top of the Jerry. stairs, a lovely picture In ber bright She did not eves Thank you. gown with trailing tinseled fringes, flush beneath the warmth of his -- es. she felt a sudden chilling of her eagerShe would have retumei to the ness. table, but he retained her one instant Oh, hello," she said. Ton startled longer. "Then you really 'refer the me a little. You look like a solemn violent Russian method to my more ghost In silk and fringe." plebeian style? while, will Come Into my room was s. Yes, very much." you? Miml asked, and there They abandoned bridge, then, and hollowness In her usually lilting voice. played penny ante, the seven of them, "Everybodys out. Youre the first one gambling furiously for pennies. Jerry home. I dont want to be alone. was very quiet, her hands like Ice, but with her usual willingness she kept a steady eye upon her cards, to Jerry, followed along Into her please, and after two hours was a winner by room in the rear of the narrow 42 cents. She said she knew It was sittingan effective room, which Theresa hall, playing a wicked poker to win and found unbearably stuffy, but into leave, but she had an appointment which Mimi fitted to nice pen.vtion, with Theresa at eleven, she must all shaded lights, with great bronze really go. Leonid also Insisted he bad burners of pungent Incense, oriental an engagement uptown and would bangings, silken cushions. walk by Reillys alley with her on his Sit here, dearie, in this light. It way for p bus. And they went out just suits you, Miml said absently, quickly, the others barely pausing In from force of habit, tucking a cushion their play to say good-balthough against Jerrys shoulder as she bad Duanes eyes followed her to the door. done Im a hundred times before. She did not look back. frightfully upset You dont mind my troubling you, do you? You are so Theresa surprised her one morning soothing." , by asking abruptly: Not a bit I like it Jerry spoke Wben are you gIng home, Jerry? with truth. She loved being wanted. sJerry blushed and marveled that she But I hope It Isnt a real trouble did so. She would have said she had Just a little attack of moods." never thought of going home. Mimi lit a cigarette and sank among I dont know perhaps not at all, the cushions on the chaise longue, she said confusedly. I am not think- puffing a cloud of smoke about her. ing of It yet. Theresa, what do girls With the light on her face, Jerry could do when there Is nothing to do and see that she was ghastly pale beneath r reason for doing It? the creamy layers of rouge and powGod knows. Ive often wondered," der. said Theresa tersely. Its Theresa." Her voice sounded She had tried to help Jerry come almost Irritable. into her own, had offered countless She works too hard, Jerry assentWe must take her In hand, and suggestions In that impersonal way of ed. hers which kept her interest free from make her spare herself a little. I all Intrusiveness. But to every sug- wanted her to go to the theater with gestion Jerry had but the one answer: us, but she would not hear of it. But why, Theresa? Why? In a way I suppose she could hard-l- j For Jerry, still passionately in go tonight, Mimi spoke apologetsearch of a raison detre, saw no en- ically, the tone In which she always ticement in a hard manual work which tried to excuse Theresas abruptness. would wear her out mentally, pnys-icall- y Dont-minher, Jerry. She doesnt for the sake of earning a few mean to be rude." dollars she did not need depriving I dont mind her. I think shes some other gir' who did need It of just wonderful. that same amount. It seemed to Jerry Miml twisted her fingers Into a rigid, It would be little more than a rob- knotted gnarl. She was wonderful,, but, but she bery. Theresa watched her moodily during killed herself," She said hollowly. those days, wondering what would Jerry cried out, struggled to her come of it, knowing that eventually feet, and then sank back white Jerry would go home. When you go horrified among the cushions. home," she would say not if, and Miml uo oh, dont," she cried. Jerry always flushed and answered "You mustnt say such things you stubbornly : frighten me." But I do not know yet if I shall. Miml Inhaled a great gulp of cigarette smoke. Theresa came to her door one night. They have taken her to Mietta's at Jerry was just ready to leave, going the corner you know, the one with uptown to a theater with Aimee Gl- flowers in the windows. Im frightorias fully upset It it makes a wreck of Theresa, you go to bed, said Jerry one." You look so tired. I just crossly. Jerry's hot young blood ran cold, wish my Prudence could get nold of a great blackness yawned before her you for a few days. Shed make you eyes. step around! This terrible woman is making a I step around too much as It Is," fool of me, she stammered aloud, insaid y, 'J ad Theresa, laughing faintly. Thats the trouble with me. But I am tired, Jerry. I am really going to rest. Ill believe that when I see It, said Jerry. Youre flesh may be tired, but It wont rest. Youll see, one of these days. Jerry, I have a present for you Jerry was girlishly excited. A present for me, Theresa? Where Is it? What Leave your door unlocked. It will be In your room when you come back. I hope you are going to like it" Oh, Theresa, I know I shall love It I cant Imagine what oh, Theresa, I 1 coherently. She shot herself. Right In the There is blood all over the floor. She slashed her pictures every one with that little bronze dagger I brought her from Rome. Her room is a perfect mess. You you dont mind my talking about It, do you. Jerry? I cant help it. Im a wrec':. of course not, Jerry stammered. Of course not. After a moment, when she could speak, she asked in such a soft and pitiful voice : Why did she, Miml? She was so clever. heart. N-n- o, Wasnt s- -e happy?" I dont know why. Of course she was happy. Everyone said how brilliant she was, what a genius. She had a lover she gave him up. She said she couldnt serve two masters. She little teeny scratch of yours a splash was right. I tried it, and made a of paint on an inch of canvas If no muddle of both. She was quite right. more. I should love something of She didnt mind much giving him up. yours. Ive been wanting one so aw- She worshiped her pictures. I Jerry brooded over It bitterly. fully much and You're very Inquisitive." said The- could have loved her much more, she But she never seemed to want resa. But I shant tell you a thing. said. too much. It will be here when you come back. Beautiful, unfathomable Theresa, Ive a big notion not to go at all, what tragedies had underlain that declared Jerry. I dont care for the tense alertness! Jerry cried a little. old show I want to see my present. She might have left the pictures," You go along Theresa tossed her Mimi chattered nervously, with cold chair the across from shoulher wrap Some of them were fine. I ders. She followed her out Into the lips. hall and leaned over the banister as could have sold them for a great deal Jerry stood on the second step below, of money. did Mimi, she owe you money smiling up at her. Jerry, you wished Jerrys voice was eager. once that I might have been your sla- Theresa? ' She should love to do that parting ter. Do you still? to the memory of strange kindness more than ever." Yes, I wish so, too," Theresa acknowl-edge- d Theresa to pay her final debts. Mimi stared at ber, shook her head. But of course it soberly. Of course not She owed nobody anycouldnt possibly be, not by any manner of means." She hesitated a little thing. We took this house together, The things that go into making a but she has always borne the expense Jerry, and those that go Into a The- of it, from the very first. Um, she would, whispered Jerry, Oh, no, not by the wildest resa stretch of imagination." She laughed disappointed that she was denied that a little ruefully, and, leaning over, final happiness, but understanding kissed. Jerry suddenly on the top of Theresa with the cold bat kindly hand. Oh, that is why she said good-by- , her head. Run along now, and ba a kissed me, and Jerry . whispered. good girl." hope " You hope what? Oh, I shall love anything you give me, Theresa, you so seldom do things like that But I hope It is Just a Thats why she said she would give me a present " Mimi caught upon the words hopeTheresa said It? A present! fully. Come, quickly. hall They ran feverishly down the to Jerrys room and reached for the button, Mimis hand ahead of Jerrys, flooding the room with light. They saw it Instantly, standing out vivid and bright in the small room, propped Theupon the piano against the wall. had who one the to resas parting gift most desired her the Ocean Rider, a tumult of green and white. Jerry stood before It, sobbing piteously, twisting her hands together. Oh, Theresa, how could you? she wept And then, remembering Mimi, she tried to stifle her emotion, to be She she wasnt quiet, stammered she about it, unhappy She was quite gay. She weakly. Her laughed at me and kissed me voice broke on the pitiful words. Peras haps she Is really getting rested, said." she It Come on back, said MlmL that liked never makes me nervous. I There is something so picture. defiant about It They sat down opposite each other, stiffly, Jerry in the great chair, Mimi lighting another cigarette as she lay tense and rigid on the chaise longue. Looking at her suddenly Jerry realized that the painted woman in the trailing sufsilken gown was fering things Indescribable that her very thoughts were bleeding. Miml, you loved Theresa, didnt uHi: AFTER EVERY MEAL n ' affords . benefit as well as pleasure. Healthful exercise for the teeth and a spur to digestion. A long, lasting refreshment, soothing to nerves and stomach. The Great American Sweetmeat, untouched ' by hands, full of What He Figured On Do you expect to make a living as an architect? Well, Im making for that end. ' plans broken-hearte- Albers stands for Breakfasts" you? That curious, clinging friendship between the young girl with her terrific d energy, and the frivolous, woman was the greatest mystery Jerry had touched upon in the great city. Miml smoked passionately, twisting the cigarette between her lips. Suddenly she tossed it into the fireplace, lit another. Her fingers were blue. You didnt know that I am Theresas mother, did you, Jerry? I dont suppose she told you. That was more than Jerry could bear. She broke into high, hysterical laughter. light-hearte- Miml! Dont 1 She was my Mimi nodded again. She began to explain with daughter. She called me nervous intensity. Mudder when she was a little baby, but she grew up into such a funny, d monster of a child! And I had my admirers, my enreer. In the profession they want you always to remain young, unmarried and free. It was absurd to lay claim to youth with a great girl like Theresa brandishing my past In my face. So we fell into' the way of using Miml and Theresa. Lots of them do, on the stage. She liked It Theresa liked It. Jerry said nothing, could say nothShe thought of ing. Poor Theresa! the terrible, tragic loneliness of the brilliant young artist. Her mother she had sacrificed to youth and beauty, her love she had given up for Art. Now she was dead, glad of her freedom from a life which had only tired her. Jerry shuddered. She sat motionless,' shocked beyond words. Oh, you are blaming mel Miml You do not undercried suddenly. stand! I tell you it is often done in the profession. We think nothing of It. You have never understood me, nor Theresa none .of us! You were uever one df us ! No. I was never really one of you." Jerry did not resent It. She was glad. Theresa didnt mind. She liked It. From the time she was a baby she wanted to be free, to be left alone. She didnt like a fuss made over her. Jerry shook her head, not grasping Children they never know what It. they want. But you. Mimi, didnt you want people to know? You , should have been so proud of Theresa. My mother why, she is even proud of mel. She when she meets people I long-legge- have known she likes to introduce herself that way just, I am Jerrys mother. I was proud of Theresa, Insisted I know how wonderful she Mimi. was. But a woman cant stop being a woman Just because she has a baby, can she? I had my life, my work, my lovers. Oh, everyone will blame me! But Theresa liked her freedom ! She should have thought of me before she did this thing she never thought of me Art, always, before everything." 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