Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine, Vol. 107 No. 3 — page 136: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

478 She looked up and, seeing the fear in Esther’s eyes, lifted the poison as though to put her words into action. With a sharp cry, Esther took a step forward, snatched the bottle from the wo- man’s hand, ran to the wash-bowl, and poured the stuff out. ‘There came a scream like that of an en- raged panther, and with one bound Maida was upon her, burying her long fingers in the girl’s shoulders. Esther struggled out of her grasp and ran toward the phone; but the other caught her. ‘“‘ What did you do that for?” she hissed, her eyes insane. ““T thought you were going to drink it!” gasped Esther, tearing at the strong fingers that gripped her. “Do you know what you’ve done?” Maida went on. ‘‘ You’ve robbed me of the only protection I’ve had when I’d be under the dope. You said the other day that men cheated me. You lied. I’ve sunk to everything but that—dope and drink, but not that. And I’ve carried that stuff to kill myself with if I ever forgot; And that’s what I wanted you to tell: Burt. Whatever else I’ve done,. I’ve been true to my womanhood. .- , = ‘‘ Some folks may not think a Woman can drink and dope and take care of herself. I have. And I’ve kept that stuff to finish up with if ever I couldn’t. And now you’ve tried to rob me of the way out, but you haven’t done it; for I’m going to kill you, then go to the electric chair. It’s better than this hell on earth.” Esther’s hold on her hands suddenly re- dJaxed. All the fight went out of the body and face. A faint smile came into her eyes. “It can’t be worse,” she said. “What can’t be worse?” Maida asked suspiciously. ‘‘ Whatever comes after this.” Her cool voice and calm eyes seemed to restore the other to reason. Maida’s hands lost their hard grip; she straightened up, then her arms fell by her side. 4 ‘You see what I am—what dope has done to me?” she said in a voice in which there was no trace of insanity. She spoke a ARGOSY AND RAILROAD MAN’S MAGAZINE. © coolly and turned away with a deep resigna- tion in her manner. c ‘I’m going to my room. I’ve got the stuff there. I’ve kept away because—but it’s no use, I can’t quit when it’s where I can get itt” ‘Do you want to try it up in Sun River Valley?” asked Esther. Maida pdused with her hand on the door. “TI said nasty things to you the other day—accused you of things that I know now were lies. I tried to kick you down when you needed help. ‘To-night I wanted to kill you, and now—you’re big and fine. Give me the address,” she broke gff sud- denly. | ; Esther went to het’ desk and wrote on a card: Dear SAM: This is a friend of mine, Miss Maida Ayers. . ’ Help her, for my sake and her own, all you Maida still stood at the door. Esther crossed over to her and extended the card. Maida took it and read. “Friend,” she said softly. ‘‘ A friend of yours. No woman has called tne friend for fifteen years. Tell Burt what I told you— that I have kept good. And tell him I -believe in him, and am sorry.” “Why don’t you see him yourself?” asked Esther. ‘‘ He was looking for you this afternoon.” ‘TI knew he would,” she laughed softly. ‘“‘ That’s why I hid. Vanity. He was too upset to-day to remember much about my looks. He would see next time. And I want, him to remember me as I was—young and lovely.” Tears gathered in Esther’s eyes as she looked at the emaciated woman. She held out her hand, and, seeing Maida’s eyes, she lifted her mouth for the taller woman to kiss. “‘ Good-by, friend,”’ Maida said huskily. “‘ T’ll come back,” and the next instant she was outside the door and had pulled it shut after her. Esther stood still, thinking. Then, lifting — her arms, she let them drop in a gesture of helplessness. : COMICEDOO S (C(O) inn