Reporter finds East Seventeenth Street address. Frightens landlady
with questions about ad. Persuades her to let him into Dolores’ room.
Recognizes face of notorious girl. Emerges under thrill of a “beat.”
Rewrite man in evening newspaper office takes discovery over telephone.
Rattles sensational story through typewriter and composing room into
print.
In another office an un-wise old “owl” of John’s detective agency gets
start from headlines of latest edition.
(_On Screen in Print_)
_Dolores Trent a Suicide
Goes to End by Gas
Takes Birthling for Company._
Agency chief shows himself capable of real speed after things have
been detected for him. Makes for John’s office. Must prepare employer
for shock, he declares. They have found the girl, although dead. The
address is John’s only demand. It is supplied without reference to
newspaper. He hastens there.
Pessimistic landlady will let none except authorities into bedroom
until bills are paid.
(_Insert_) “_It uses up a sight of gas to kill a woman grown and a
healthy baby._”
John crushes green-backs into her hand and strides into room.
Upon bed lies dead girl.
(_On Screen_)
With backthrown silken hair her mourning veil, all smileless in death
as she had been through life, she clasps to her breast the clay of his
child and hers, of whose existence a detective had told him. “Grief to
Men” at last teaches one man the acme of grief.
John bends over her. His lips move.
(_Insert_) “_I have murdered what I love. Can you forgive?_”
Sinks to knees beside bed. Lays face in her hair. Shudders in agony of
regret.
THE THIRD TURN
(_On Screen_)
The digit of death points back to the divorce case of Cabot vs. Cabot.
In imposing room of Bar Association, Rufus Holt stands trial for his
professional life. Is charged with having thrown the first divorce case
he ever lost. Faces of jury of brother lawyers grow contemptuous when
prosecutor sums up evidence against him--his visit to Judge Strang’s
apartment with Cabot co-respondent, as reported by elevator man, later
protectorate of girl and payment of her bills, as proved by florist and
manager of up-town hotel, and continued friendship with John Cabot. Now
suicide of girl and death of infant conceived during period of sojourn
in philanthropist’s home clinches case.
Holt to be formally disbarred. Is broken by disgrace and denied
friendship of man for whom he took risk. Leaves trial room.
(_On Screen_)
Mrs. Cabot finds a new use for “blimps.”
In her quarters at Cabot town-house, Catherine and maid are engaged in
packing trunks. Two society friends announced. Shown into disordered
suite. Ask questions. Is it true, as papers say, that Mrs. Cabot is
going to make trans-Atlantic flight? Catherine gives laughing assurance:
(_Insert_) “_I’ve always enjoyed being first, my dears. I guess I am
first to fly from unpleasant notoriety. It will be a joy-ride, as my
new lawyer is sure of winning my reopened suit._”
(_On Screen_)
DUST TO DUST
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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