Evening star., 1914-04-05
BY GEORGE ROTHWELL BROWN

satisfaction when the spring flew back, and another
when he had rolled up the top. Then he dived
into the pigeonhoes, pulled out several bundles of
letters, and began shuling through them rapidly,
poker player deals cards Scowling, grunting licking
his fingers blowing open the envelops he neverthe
less too busy to keep eye the door Some of
the letters he glanced at hurriedy and put back.
few he read with Still scowlng, he ransacked
the desk, going through the papers, rumplng them up
in his eagerness.
Suddenly he stopped listened pulled down the lid
of the desk pussyfooted his way the alcove and
posed himself in the depths of the leather chair by the
window just the knob of the door ratified and Bob
Marston, whisting jaunty street tune, strobe in.
The girl behind the screen, her brain whir could
decide whether disclose herself and denounce the
invader of Bobs desk wait until he had taken his
departure. In panic lest her name be drawn into
scandal and get into the papers, she hestated and
did nothing. AIarston boyish-looking, lighthaired
blueeyed young fellow, tall, square shouldered and
long lmbed threw his Panama and stick upon the table,
looked up, and the man in the chair
SLIPPERY JIAI!7 he cried. He crossed to the win
dow quickly and threw up the shade and the sash
as far they would 60 what the deuce you doing
down here, Slade?" he asked.
Business, answered the in the chair. 3You
long enough getting here" He dragged half a
pound of gold watch from his pocket and snapped up
the lid eleven o'clock You amt overworked here
in Washington
"The House meets at twelve explained Marston
I'm little later than usual, though; for had
errandS which took to two of the departments
this morning. How'd you get in Jim? This room
should have been
at locked, all right interrupted Sade jingling
the keys in his hand.
Skeleton keys!7 Marston threw quick glance
toward his desk. "And in there too suppose?"
We'll, what's the of denying it?7 admitted Slip
perry Jim anguidly taking off his hat and placing it
the floor by the chair. a didn't get what wanted
though. You and I've always understood each other
haven't we? Well l thought mavbe I'd get something
you-see? But didn't. You're too slick to keep
anything around. Nothing but tailors' and taxcab
bills and letters asking for jobs and free seed. Don't
you have real business letters?'
Over there yawned Marston, "n that other desk.
You could have anything you wanted to without
committing burglary. My secretary attends to those
things He'll be in presently and II you
him for any information you may want about my per-
sonal or public affairs
"He will, will he?7 snorted Slippery Jim. "Well,
what I've got YOU is private. don't want no
Interruptions. I'll just push that table up against the
door-that II hold it.. He puffed his feet and wad-
died across the "Hello You've throwed the key
the table This is better He to the door,
locked it, tried the knob and put the key into his
pocket. "Now talk man to man. said he
coming back and resumng his by the window. 4Do
you know, Kid I'm wising up about you fast-been
learning since struck town day before yesterday"
"Day before yesterday"
Sure We been on your tracks IN quiet way, and,
believe me, was knocked over the ropes You
tainy have been showing speed-speed and
class All the swell clubs, and receptions and dinners
up at the White House too with the Main Guyi I'll
make book you're too fussy to spend sociable
evening the sus in the Palace Saloon back room.
The smell of the herring the free lunch table, and the
sawdust and slttoons, you wouldn't for EN-, after
all this boudoir perfumery you've been shifting since
you got to nlixn with the bum tong BY the way,
who's Miss Ethel Middleton? see you two topliners
featured in the morning papers today. Oh now, don't
swell all like poisoned pup! guess you've got right