The Washington herald., 1920-12-12
CONTINUED from Yesterday

NCOntlnueQ from 1esterQay.)
The candy man cackled shrilly as
he arranged a stock of butter-scotch
that had tumbled down.
Smoke up"' said he, vulgarly.
'Nothin' doin' in the complimentary
line. I'm too wise to be bamboo
zled by a switch of hair and a new
ly massaged arm. Oh, guess you'll
make good in thatcalcfum, all right.
with plenty Of powder and paint on
and the orchestra playing Under
the Old Apple Tree But don't put
on your hat and chase downstairs to
fly to the Little Church Around the
Corner with me. I've been up
against peroxide and makeup be-
fore. Say. all joking aside-don't
you think we'll have rain?'
Candy man." said Mademoiselle,
softly, with her lips curving and
her chin dimpling, don't you think
I'm pretty?"
The candy man grinned.
"Savin' money, amt yerT said
he, "by bein' yer own press agent
/ smoke, but haven't seen yer mug
on any of the five-cent cigar boxes.
It'd take a new brand of woman to
get me goin'. anyway. I know 'em
from sidecombs to shoelaces. Gim-
me q good days sales and steak
and-onions at seven and a pipe and
an evenin' paper back there in the
court, and I'll not trouble Lillian
Russell herself to wink at me, IL
you please"
Mademoiselle pouted.
Candy man." she said, softly and
deeply, yet you shall say that I
am beautiful. All men say so and
so shall you"
The candy man laughed and
pulled out his pipe.
WELL" said he, 'T must be goin'
There is a story in the evenin'
paper that I am readin'. Men are
divin' in the seas for a treasure,
and pirates are watchin' them from
woman on land or water or in the
air. Good-evenin'." And he trun-
died his pushcart down the alley
and back to the musty court where
he lived.
Incredibly to him who has not
learned woman, Mademoiselle sat at
the window each day and spread
her nets for the ignominious game.
Once she kept a grand cavalier
waiting in her reception chamber
for half an hour while she bat
tered in vain the candy mans tough
philosophy. His rough laugh chafed
her vanity to its core. Daily he
sat on his cart in the breeze of the
alley while her hair was being min
istered to, and daily the shafts of
her beauty rebounded from his dull
bosom pointless and ineffectuaI. Un-
worthy pique frightened her eyes.
Pride-hurt, she glowed upon him in
-
higher adorers into an egoistic par
adise. The candy mans hard eyes
looked upon her with half-con-
cealed derision that urged her to
the use of the sharpest arrow in
her beauty's quiver.
One afternoon she leaned far over
the sill, and she did not challenge
and torment him as usual.
Candy man." said she, stand up
and look into my eyes"
He stood up and looked into her
eyes, with his harsh laugh like the
saving offwood. He took out his
pipe, fumbled with it, and put 1t
back into his pocket with a trem-
bling hand.
That will do said Mademoiselle,
with a slow smile. 'T must go now
to my masseuse. Good-evening."
The next evening at seven the
candy man came and rested his cart
under the window. But was it the
candy mani? His clothes were a
bright new check. His necktie was
flaming red. adorned by glitter
ing horseshoe pin, almost lffe-size.
His shoes were polished: the tan of
his cheeks had paled-his hands had
been washed. The window was
empty, and he waited under it with
his nose upward, like a hound hop
ing for a bone.
Mademofselle came, with Sidonie
carrying her load of hair. She
looked at the candy man and smiled
slow smile that faded away into
ennui. Instantly she knew that the
game was bagged; and SO quickly
she wearied of the chase. She began
to talk to Sidonie.
Been a fine day" said the candy
man. hollowly. First time in a
month I've felt first-class. Hit Il
up down old Madison, hollerine out
like I useter. Think it'll rain to-
morrow
Mademoiselle laid tyo round arms
On the cushion on the window-sill,
and dimpled chin upon them.
Candy man." said she, softly, "do
you not love me?"
The candy man stood up and
leaned against the brick wall:
Lady" said he. chokingly, "Tve
got $500 saved up. Did say you
wasn't beautiful? Take It, every bit
Of It. and buy a collar for your dog
with It,"
A sound as of a hundred silvery
bells tinkled in the room Of Made ]