Evening star., 1919-04-27

DetuS leu.
The music ceased. spat of ap-
plause. Tyler mopped his head. and
his hands. and applauded too. like one
in dream. They were off again for
the encore.
Five minutes later he found himself
seated next Miss Cunningham in
chair against the wall, And for the
first time since their meeting the
mists OF agony cleared before his
gaze and he saw Miss Cunningham as
tall slim. dark-haired girl. with Il
CLINT of mischief in her eve. and Il
mouth that looked as il she were try
ing to keep from smiling.
Why don't you?" Tyler asked. and
was aghast.
why don't l WHAT"
Smile if you want to-"
At which the CLINT in her eye and
the hidden smile on her lips met and
sparked and she laughed. Tyler
laughed, too. and then they laughed
together and were friends.
Where are you from"
sin. Tex"
"when do you think the war will
end. Mir. Kamps:'
He told her. gravely, He told her
many other things. He told her about
Texas. at length and in detail.
They danced again. Miss Cunning
ham introduced him to some other
girls. and he danced with them. and
they in turn asked him about the sta
ton. and Texas. and when he thought
the war would end. And altogether he
had beautiful time of it. and forgot
completely and entirely about Gunner.
Moran. 1t was not until he gallantly
escorted Miss Cunningham downstairs
for refreshments that he remembered
his friend. He had procured hot choc-
cate for himself and Miss Cunning
ham: and sandwiches and delectable
chunks Of caramel cake. And then he
had remembered. look of horror
settled down over his face. He gasped.
"W-what's the natter" dema nded
Miss Cunningham. '','
"My-my friend. forgot all about
him" He regarded her with stricken
eyes.
"Oh that's all right" Miss Cunning
ham assured him for the second time
that evening. We'll just go and find
him. He's probably forgotten ALI
about you. too"
And for the second time she was
right. They Started on their quest. 1t
was a Snort one. on the refre shment
room was great gracious com
Portable room, all deep chairs. and
soft rugs. and hangings, and pic
lures and shaded lights. All about
sat pairs and groups of sailors and
girls. talking. and laughing and con-
suming vast quantities of cake. And
in tho center of just such group
sat Gunner Moran, lolling at his ease
in a rosy velvet-upholstered chair
Four particularly pretty girls. and
two matrons surrounded him. And
as Tyler and Miss Cunningham ap-
preached him he was saying: Welt,
but a hamick. Yessir, Why. when
was fifteen years old I vas" He
caught Tyler's eye. Hello" he
called. genialiy. Meet me friend"
This to the bevy surrounding him. X
was just teliin' these ladies here"
And he was OF again. All the tales
that he told were not necessarily true
But that did not detract from their
thrill Moran's audience grew as he
talked And he talked until he and
Tyler had to run all the way to the
Northwestern station for the last
train that would get them on the
station before shore leave expired.
Moran, on leaving. shook hands like
= presidential candidate.
They did not talk much in the train.
he and Tyler. 1t vas a sleepy lot OF
boys that that train carried back to
the great central naval station. Tyler
was undressed and in his hammock
even before Moran the expert. He
would not have to WOO sleep tonight.
Finally Moran. too, had swung him
self up to his precarious nest and
relaxed with tired, happy grunt.
Quiet again brooded over the great
dim barracks. Tyler felt HIM Sc IL slip
ping or to sleep, deliciously. She
would he there next Saturday. Her
first name she had said was Myrtle.
An awful pretty name for a girl.
Just about the prettiest he had ever
heard. Her folks invited jackies to
dinner at the hOusp nearly every