The San Francisco call and post., 1913-12-13
Now Read On

You're certainly one funny little
guy
Then, with sundry thumps and ar
peggios and cadenzas, he began prac-
ticing his favorfte. Meet Me in Spoon
Time. Dearie." His hands thumped out
resounding chords. his feet posctured
and cavorted in dance steps and over
and over again he importuned "Dearie.
At last the door opened. a. crack
widened a bit to admit Jim. who had
assured himself that Dick was hold
ing the fort alone.
Jim stood in the doorway. voicing
silent protest. At last he came in.
sat down and began filling his old
clay pipe from a jar of tobacco he
found on the Uttered table. He shook
his head sadly the while-clay pipes.
indeed This graft was about played
out. He wondered what Kitty meant
by sticking. Finally he began glanc-
ing in protest over his shoulder at
the piano player.
.'Cut it, can't yer?" he asked.
'.What?" asked Dick, without stop
ping.
That's enough to drive man
battyf'
There's lots of different ways to
sing a song" said Dick, complacently
trying another method of attack.
lHeTe IOlS Ol tiHeTEHcl way > 10
sing it rotten--and you've tried them
all" said Jim with something like a
snarl 1t was poor hunting on this
range-no game in sight and food
scarce. so after the way of beasts OF
prey in time of famine. these men had
begun to- quarrel among themselves.
Dick sneered openly.
'I can get a price for it, That's
what's the matter. I'm the only ono
around this dump with nut enough to
earn dollar"
Jim whined a. bit. It would nots.do
to estrange Dick at the particular
moment when affairs were in such
bad shape. If the break came. there
was no telling which way the cat
would jump-the cat" being, in this
case. suitably enough, Kftty-and Jim
thought it the better part of valor to
calm Mr.. LIE Roy a bit
THE boy is payin' our rent. amt
he. and charging up our. breakfasts,
That's a start on the days occupation.
amt it,? Now If only kebs was still
popular
DICKS APPEAL
This is all right IL you like it,"
broke in Dick with no desire to pla-
cate anybody. I've had enough. SO
I'll practice my song"
The door opened unceremoniou
and Kitty walked in. She still wore
the little lavender waist that had
seemed so dainty a week ago. Now.
both ii and her smart little hat We're
crumpled and tawdry looking. sort
of detection seemed to hang about
Kitty. She was no longer the merry
little miss who dared to be her owl.
small time" self with Dick-and the
dainty lady airs she had assumed for
Ken were worn through their veneer.
Kitty. my jewel, you wear the ex-
preston of silver planted shine"
said Dick airily.
You slept late. my dear added
Jim with near paternal air.
What is there to do?" asked Kitty
petulantly.
She made little grimace at the
cloud of tobacco smoke-in short Miss
Kitty May turned up her nose and
pouted.
Gee, What a rotten pipe"
Ills cigars is all gone" explained
Jim. patiently.
Dick had stopped playing and sat
watching the pair. He shrugged his
shoulders and swung round on the
stool-another chord-a run-and he
began to sing Meet Me in Spoon
Time. Dearie.
Kitty threw up her arms and. rush
ing impatiently to the uttermost cor
ner of the room. flung herself into
a seedy old chair.
"Shut up, Dick LIE Roy-will you.
You'll drive me crazy with that
songr'
Dick rose -angrily.
TT ain't the song-that's sure fre!
It's this point, kitty"