Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-15
A Story Of Netu York LIE
Ru LEROY SCOTT

ment, nor does his sister. So I'm try
ing to break it off,"
"For their sakes2" demanded Slim
keenly.
"Yes-and for my own" Almost un
consciously she dropped into the in
formal phraseology of the days when
she and Slim had had the Pekin as their
habitat. "Gloria and l don't love each
other, and I'd like to jar her off her
pedestal"
you're a selfish, calculating, pretty
little animal, but the idea is strictly
all right. Why not step in and win
him away from her? I've been watch
ing you and Kenneth. It's as plain as
four aces that he already cares a lot
for you. -,
and uncertain. I've thought OF way
| that will be quick and sure tre, If 1t
can only be put across. And it's some
thing you might help me inf you
want to-
you've got me sitting on the edge
of my orchestra chair and holding my
breath. What happens nextF'
"They say Gloria has liked an awful
lot of men-she's been engaged four
times that I.know of--and her being en-
gagged TO one man doesn't prevent her
liking several others at the same time.
That may not be the case at the present
moment, but, anyhow, that's the kind
Gloria is. She's crazy about men
always plural" =.
'I get you so far. Where do l
fit inf"
Here's my idea. If she's doing now
what she's done before, then while she, S
engaged to Kenneth, she's also privately
flirting with some other man. But
telling Kenneth this will have no effect !;
he's got to see things with his own
eyes. If / could find out who the other
man is, and if affairs could be so
handled that Kenneth could be brought
in upon q scene of surreptitious love-
making-that would smash things right
then and there. Now, you know lot
about the smart and gay life of New
York and you know it's gossip; you
either know, or can find out, who this
second man is--if there is such man.
And you can find out where and how
they meet. That's where you fit in. -
He regarded her steadily for long
space. His narrow gray eyes were just
now expressionless beyond showing keen
thought. When he finally did speak,
he passed over all she had said.
Have you thought any more about
the proposition made you on the
Astor roof-about our teaming up?"
"That's never going TO happen, slim
never" she answered impatiently.
He lifted his shoulders philosophi =
cally. II guess it's up to me to keep
on waiting, Jennie-and I'm good
waiter"
But will you help me?" she dc
manded.
Again he regarded her thoughtfully
for a long space; and though he tried
to control his expression. he could not
mask the air of one who is swiftly look
ing far, far ahead, and balancing pos
sibility against possibility.
"Sorry, Jennie-wish could" he al
length said "But there's nothing
, can do-absolutely nothing. And there's
} no use talking about it."
| Jennie was quite taken aback ant
was bitterly disappointed by this un
expected refusal.
But disconnected though she was, sh
caught the CLINT of smile which sud
denly broke through the sober regret o
Sims face. For some reason tha
smile awoke in her vague suspicion
; but not until long, long after was sh
to learn all which lay behind tha
brief smile on the pale, keen face o
Slim Jackson.