Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1916-01-07

what is the graft. then?'
The countess looked at him with
great show of dignity.
"Say, Mr. Peale." she said, don't
you think | got some sense of deeeney?
And. anyhow | wouldn't go after Ell
lery. He'd be wise in a minute. No. sir,
| stack up against men of my own
size-ducks who think they're wise
guys. like you and your young part
her"
well. what is the idea with Ellery,
them Peale asked uneomfortably.
'You may not like him. the coun-
tess began. "He does seem kind of
stuck up chap, but when you get to
know him he's nice kid. He's got a
ear. he loves 70 go to shows, he slips
the head waiter s.. says, Bring us a
good dinner and two bottles of 1i9; he
can sign checks anywhere and he's a
grand little companion for a lonely
dame like me. He looks forward to
seeing me. He phones me every
morning and just sticks around. He
don't even try to hold my hand"
swell, where do | come in? Peale
insisted.
you're going to see him now" the
countess said. Just don't slip 1t to
him I'm a CRATER. will you? It'd bust
up the whole thing. I'll play straight
with bim-just pals. You don't know
how hard 1t is for girls like me. /
never had show. | ran away from
home when ! was kid. I've been
pretty up against it sometimes, AMI
now this boy comes along and treats
me fine Is what I've done to other
guys to butt in and queer me? Oh,
Ambrose, don't bowl me out with Ell
leryr'
mix, nixr' said Peale. pulling out
his handkerchief.
Give me a chance to be on the
square," went on the countess. at
amt easy for girl to fight it out just
by herself, when she's all alone. no
money, no friends and she's got to live
live on IS week In a back room look
in out on brick wall and cook over
the gas. Food and clothes and live on
So per! You got lot for good time.
haven't you? That's what had to do.
Say, | was lonely sometimes. You've
got to be pretty smart to steer straight.
But I've done tive done it!'
With that she broke down and be-
gan to SWIVEL.
Now, see here, countess" said
Peale kindly. patting her on the back.
Don't do that-don't, DON'T Then
after pause he added
''Oh, quit It, Keep it for some poor
boob who'll fall for it."
'.Oh, Ambrose. don't talk like that"
said the countess tearfully.
Say. honest. it's foolish wasting 1t
IN me, Kid said Peale.
We'll. it's always worth trying once"
raid the girl, completely changing to a
radiant smile.
Sure 1t is said Peale genially.
why, you had me winging for min
ate. But when you pulled that five
4 week gag | knew 1t was the antique
phoney stuff"
II learned it from a play. Great,
isn't it? 1t always goes. But at that
I'm on the level about Ellery. / just
couldn't keep from drifting into dra-
MATES. Do tell him I'm real French
dame"
Absolutely" said Peale. Hello, Pc
ter Piccadilly.' he added. as Ellery at
last discovered them; what brings you
to the haunts Of pleasureY'
He didn't wait for Ellery's answer,
but promptly vacated the place at the
girls side and left them TO each other
and their fates.
In his present mood the meeting and
the talk for all his chaff only strength
ened the wings of his black butterflies.
The sight of Ellery Clark completed
his distaste with the whole sorry
scheme of things. making him itch to
remold ii nearer to his hearts desire.
Ellery Clark, that pinhead. went round
with girls who trimmed him like the
countess" supplied with plenty Of
money by bis doting rrfher. while Rod
uey and Mary had to slave and worry.