Evening star., 1919-09-28

born on the dark of the moon when
the wind was east In the year OF the
big eclipse. Something like that
Anyway. he's long on gloom and short
on faith in human nature and he goes
gum shoein through life lookin' as
slit-eyed as a tourist tom cat four
blocks from his own back yard.
Course he has his good points. lots
OF 'em, or else he never would have
held down his job as office manager in
the Corrugated Trust so long. And
there's at least two human beings he
thinks was made perfect from the
start-Old Hickory Ellins and Mr..
Robert. The rest of us he amt sure
Of Wen bear watchin'. And Piddie's
idea of earnin' his salary Is to be
right there with the restless eye from
8:43 until 500. when he grabs his
trusty Communication and starts for the
wilds Of Jersey, leavin' the force to
whole night of idleness and wicked
ways.
Still, I am a little surprised when
he picks out Vincent.
II regret to say it, Torchy." says he.
"but some one ought to have an eye
on that boy"
"Oh. come, Piddie," says I. mot
Vincent why, he's a model youth.
You've always said so yourself
polite, respectful, washes behind the
ears, takes home his pay envelope un-
cracked to mother, all that sort of
thing. Why the mournful headshake
over him now?"
II can't say just what it is" says
Pfddie, "but there has been a change.
Twice this week he has overstayed
his luncheon hour. Yesterday he
asked for his liberty bond and war
saving stamps from the safe. be-
lieve he is planning to do something
desperate"
"Huhw says I. Most likely he's
plotting to pay the mortgage on the
little bungalow as birthday present
for mother"
Piddie won't have it that way.
though. II think there's a woman in
the case" says he, land I'm sure 1t
isn't his mother"
"A woman? Vincent?" says I. "Ah.
quit your kiddin', Piddie. I'd as soon
think it Of you"
That brings the pink to his ears and
ute or so he gets over it enough to
explain that he's noticed Vincent
fussin' with his necktie and slickin'
his hair back careful before Quittin'
time. Also that Vincent has taken to
gettin' shaved once week reg'lar
now. instead Of every month.
"And he seemed very nervous when
he took away his savings" adds Pid-
die "Of course, in my position I
could ask for no condolences Of a per-
sonal nature; but II some one could
have q talk with him-well, you, for
example. Torchy"
what a cute little ideal" says I.
"What would be the openin' lines for
that scene? Something like Come. my
erring lad. rest your fair, sin-soaked
head on my knee and tell your Uncle
Torchy how you are secretly schem-
ing to kidnap the rich gum profit eer's
lovely daughter and carry her off
to Muckhurst- on tn -Marsh?' Piddie.
you're q wonder"
was still chucklin' over the notion
a. I breezed out to lunch, but as
pushes out Of the express elevator
and starts across the booth toward
the Broadway exit lamps something
over by the candy that leaves me
with my mouth open. There Is VIM
cent hung up against the counter
Gazin' mushy into the dark, danger
Gus orbs Of Mirabelle, the box-trade
queen.
Course. We all know Mirabelle in
the Corrugated buildin. for she's been
presidin' over the candy counter al
most ~ long as the arcade shops have
been open. She's what you might call
an institution: like Apollo Mike. the
elevator starter: or old Walrus Smith,
tho night watchman. And ex-
Dect there amt a young hick or a
lnfddie-aged bookkeeper on all them
twenty-odd floors but who has had
his little thrill from gettin' in line
some time or another. with a cut-up
look from them high voltage eyes.
She's just one of tho many perils,
Mirabelle Is. that line the path Of the
poor working man In the great city
that 10, she looks the part.
As q matter Of fact, I've always had
Airabelle sized UP as q near-vamp
who had worked up the act to boost
sales and cinch her job. Anyway. I
mover knew Of her lurin' her victims