The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1920-07-03
His ''Rag
and Bone"
BY J. J. DE LONG
(Copyright.)

business having been concluded for
the day, John Henry Jingletop board
ed an elevated at Rector street.
At Thirty-Third street he consulted
his watch, and, learning that he had
time to burn, left the train for a shave,
a cocktail, and a walk.
He took the cocktail first.
Then he stepped into a barber-shop,
removed his hat and coat, delivered
them to the brass-faced boy in charge
Of such things, and, looking neither to
the right nor the left dropped into a
chair.
The obseQulous barber, after noting
a ~three-day growth of beard, inquired
his pleasure.
want a shave, a massage, and a
shampoo" said John Henry, adjusting
himself to the comfortable curves of
the chair.
And a manicure?"
'Hes!" mechanically, for he was
gazing at the mirrOred ceiling and
thinking nothing, but at the first stroke
OF the razor he became aware of the
preliminary work being done by the
lady of the files and shippers, and,
closing his eyes to the glare of the
shop he began a review of the events
of the day.
How, after kissing his wife and
shaking a dada" to little ]. H.. who
mad been held up to the window and
his admiring gaze for that purpose,
he had found a day of good business
awaiting him at the office.
His wife had phoned about noon to
inquire if he had not forgotten some
thing, and how she had refused to say
what that something was, when he
failed to place it.
AT that point John Henry Jingle
tops attention was distracted by three
little taps of a velvety hand on the
back of his own, and a moment later
the other hand was at rest under the
refining influence of snugly comfort.
able quarters, and comforting manipu.
lation, and he went back to his dream.
ing.
Came another love tap, and. thank
Heaven, at the same moment the sus.
pense made necessary by the massage
was ended!
There was a %convulsive, uplifting
movement of the chair, which brought
the dreamer into close communion with
the fairy of his vision, who proved to
be all he had pictured her.
She looked into his face-smillngly
NORTHUMBERLAND John Henry impetu-
Ously Cancelled the order for a shampoo.
you do good work, Little Bright
Eyes" said he, when he had adjourned
TO one of the little side tables which
served so well for the finishing strokes
of the m%anicure's art.
II am glad you think So" returned
the fairy, whose mann was Geraldine
and who cheerfully and confidently
added: IF you'll let me treat your
cuticle, I'll train it so 1t won't neet
cutting at ALL"
And if you will let me treat you t.
an oyster, l can train you TO like O
nice little dinner" said John Henry
boldly; but, fearing a refusal to Sc
abrupt a proposal, made an answer
unnecessary by adding: "In smoke
a cigarette if you don't mind"
Not in the least" said Geraldine
81 rather like the smell of tobacco"
And the taste?" inquired JOIN
Henry, returning to his mutton. %
suppose you indulge occasionally?"
Not even occasionally" returned
the little lady, smiling. 81 shouldn'
care to have my fingers stained b!
nicotine
stained fingers is not an unusua
sight in the best of society,"" said JOIN
Henry encouragingly.
But I'm nOt a society lady"
No" returned John Henry re
aectively. You are just a very sen
sible little manicure lady"
"Just a manicure lady"
Living with your %parents?"
mo, with another very sensibl,
little manicure-lady."
Just you two?"
Just we two"
Cook your own meals?" (Be care
full, John HenryD
YES" said Geraldine, land it's lot
of fun"
at would be lots of fun if we wer,
10 have a nice little snack togethe
tonight, don't you Think"
And leave poor little Marion al
alone? No, indeed; the poor chilt
would thin: something dreadful hat
happened"
Were there ever such witching eyes
and were there ever such warm littl,
hands?
Not if John Henry knew anythin,
about such things, and he gave tn,
warm little hands a gentle squeeze t
show the very sensible little manicure
lady that he did.
Then he suggested that Marion
principal hope for salvation eonsiste
in acquiring the ability to take care o