Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-18
TORCHY PICKS UP A FRIEND
BY SEWELL FORD

"Thats right" calls out 3Kid along. I'm
good waiter
was PAWN around the shrubbry rubberin here and
there in likely spots, when all Of sudden fetches
up in front of the summerhouse and finds myself bein
looked curious through pair Of gold orgnette
lady I'd got close to. No antique, you know but
of these middleaged queens that's lost her
tresses but has kept strange hold on her daylight
pexion and her graduation-day figure.
"Well young MANI? says she, not peevish naughty,
understand, but sort of amused and sociable. "You
seem to be looking for someone.
aUh-huh,' says GRIMM sheepish
"Verona, isn't it, she goes on.
@Ifyou think that close guess "saysI, 3why we'll"
And you are Torchy-I can tell that by your-er-'
go on, says |, @pnk thatch will do if you can't
think of anything else. No my tryin' to travel
ncog with that CROWN me- is thereo But what them
If m in wrong know the way OUT and starts to
back off.
"Oh that isn't brave at ALL says she. 4And I'm sure
you're not afraid Of me. Come III confess. sent the
card myself
"Gee!s says l. "A bee bite!"
Il beg pardon? says she, ltn her eyebrows puzzled
Caught nappin on second that's all, says l. "Well,
I'm tagged. What happens to now?'
thought it best to have little talk with YOU Won't
you come in here and sit down?'
Say, she chatty converser, all right. It just
dubbed out, all mixed up with smiles and shoulder
OF shfty business with the eyes. ust seemed to
natural to her. this snake charmer act, and who
TO give her the frosty face! walks n but not without
lettln her know | hadn't shut both eyes
"Most time for Aunty to show up with her tomahawk,
eho. says l.
She lets go of few silvery gurgles at that @You
rather keen aren't your says she.
Now and then have my doubts about that says
|; "but amt hung out the To Let sign just
night yet and taps my forehead
ensel'' 1My world" says She "But hasten to
assure you that Verona's Aunt Sally is not
in ambush. You see, when l thought Of that
plan of sending one of Wees cards to you
also decided to pack them both off for the
afternoon. And I've done it. Now you re
wondering why?"
Something like that says l.
@Wel, then,' says she, settln' herself back
comf'ta table on one of the seats and balancin
the orgnette between the tips Of two fingers,
at was because found Sally had been making
such mess of things. She IS an excellent
woman in many ways you know; but-er-'
Il get YOU says |. 3Thats about how I'd
sized her up too; sort of fish eyed and frosty
ooh, dear nor protests the lady @That is,
if | understand at all your amazing idoms.
certain lack Of tact, let call it. and
perfect genius for mismanaging affairs in
which young people concerned Of course,
Verona has temper of her own, too"
- Say breaks in, couldn't we leave Miss
u Wee out of this?"
~Ah, knight to the defense Bravo!'
- says she, sn1lin' sort of quizzin. aBut we
simply can't leave Verona out. It's all about
her and Sally you know. l found them at
swords points. oh, actually glaring at each
other! There'd been rumpus 1t was all
about ring Wee was wearing. Now!
"Huh! says |, turnn' red behind the ears
3Then it was yours" says she, clappn' her
hands. "Vee wouldn't say. where it came
FROM you Sally couldn't get word out
of her She insisted on knowing demanded
stormed, all that sort of folly. And of course
Verona wouldn't tell then I'm |
wouldn't, either But with you it is different
- Now I'm asking you frankly, does it mean
anything at ALL that rngo'
And me- I'm sittin' there with my toes