Evening star., 1911-10-22

Ventlses and it's punk at that but as I'd co he in on
comp | thought I'd stay for the divn' piece And
must say-wel, it as if these divin put
on with more scenery and less costumes every
Just as I'm squeezin out from the middle of the
to get away before eccentric musical trio could get
started payin wash boilers and gas stoves and so
on, feels grab me by the sleeve, and
to see who it is I'm town out
why, hello, Speck! says L. at is the professor,
amt it?'
He admits that it is; but until we get out in the
lobby and has time to look him careful am dead
of it. The gray ustache is gone, and the graysh
hair has been touched up artistic. Also the gray suit
and white string tie are mssln In place of that he has
on sporty Scotch tweed and blazn red neck scarf
and from his lett arm swings crook handled English
wain stick Oh, he was ali Gussied up for the party,
Speck was; and he barbered and manicured and
polished until he had the real White Light gloss him.
so you had to come up to see the diving girls too,
eh: he ChuckleS Slappln me rogush on the back. Ay
third performance-from double A. Notice the little
in the lavender? Eh, what?'
With that he calls taxi and insists on carn me off
to his studio joint for chat. And say of all the people
l ever expected to find dom the Bohemian act Speck
the last. But he's picked out the real thing in oca
OnS, OF these buldnS where there's hair dressin
parlors, theatrical agencies, voice cuursts and on,
within walkn distance of dozen lobster foundries.
The professor has his suite fixed up like the of
some young college hCk walls decorated liberal with
theatrical photos, dvan covered with Eastern rugs,
Turkish pipe tabouret, and of stems displayed
prominent on the mantel.
We'll, how's this, eh?' says he, wavin' me into an
easy chair genial
~Some speed says l. Fright in the heart of things
too, amt you?"
Rather, says he. "Now what Il you have to drink,
old man.? and with that he opens cellare the size of
a sample trunk displayin young bar all ready for
business.
Now considerin the fact that Maria dear used to be
rabid White Ribboner, who wouldn't even have Jamaica
ginger in the house, thought don well not to
gasp out loud. He lets me off with milk and viChy
after protest, announcin that a and would about
suit him. l couldn't help noticin', though that he
makes mostly so1a and then cokes over it as he
osses it down. Next he lights long Russian cigarette
and knocks the ashes on the rug ostentatious.
Leadin the gay life, Professor, I'm afraid, says l.
"Oh hardly that, hardly that says he winkin fa-
cetous. But ones habits change, you know, as one
grows younger
1t comes out, too, that he's chucked his reglar Job
with the soap comp and is only dom free lance eX-
perlmentin industrial formule, YOU understand" he
explains Its gamble; but it pays WELL devilishly
well, and it leaves time to-er-knock around town
bit
Il see says I. "You don't have any particular
schedule now
Free air. says he. "No hours no cares no re-
sponsibies. By the way, AcCabe do you ever sit in
at quiet little game?'
Guess my poker education was finished sometime
ago, says |. Feed the kitty here at times do you?'
We'll not exactly, says he; "but must learn. I've
been meaning to-
But what's the use gvin' details? You know how
these colty wldowers at that stage Comes little
awkward for ein kick up their heels real frisly at
first; but they re bound to try. And the professor,
whod walked a chakline all his life, was maxim real
earnest stab at it. He was just pointin out of