The Monett times., 1921-03-11
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edge of human sea, banked up to
give passage to honking empty taxi
cab. Here was another question for a
suddenly inquirlng mind. Where Id
taxl-cabs, empty ones, go to in such q
hurry? The door of this one was
swinging open, and the proof of how
intent the crowd was on its myriad
individual goals is evidenced by til;
fact that dozen voices did not In
form the driver that the season was
off for fans on wheels.
The cab was moving more SLOWLY
than Nj; Randolph's subconsciou>
mind, WHICH led him to step into it -anG
quietly close the inviting door. Upon
seating himself, he tried to analyzc
the impulse that had lifted him fror
the curb. He decided that it was no
so much the curiosity as to the desii
nation Of empty cabs as a natural and
ancient dislike for being pushed and
elboWed by people.
It was not long before the cab, un
Willingly loaded for bear, drew up
with a final honk at the stage-door O"
he Crocodile. Immediately came
rnsping voice that was vaguely fa
miiar to Mr.. Randolph.
"WelL" it said, you sure took your
own time getting here" The drive
expert in aggravating renartee with
out words, pressed the bulb Of his
atrocious horn three times. "Cut T.
out!' said the rasping voice. "IEen
isn't any hurry now"
1t was incredible, reasoned Mr.. lan
aolph with himself that anyone shoulG
forget that voice once heard, ard he
was right. He remembered it. It~wa7
the voice of Mr.. Duke Beamer. whom
he had had the distinct pleasure 0.
blackballing for one club in college
and three in town. Mr. Beamer. to his
honest mind, was the best living ok
ample of animated slime in tailu"-
made clothes,
Mr.. B. was not alone; Mr.. Randolpit
could just see his companion through
the slant of the half-raised W ndow
glass, and even that distorted impse
was very close to a vision. The girl
was young, beautiful, and troubled.
Her cheeks were thin and pale, her
parted lips aquiver; her chin was
atremble. OF course she was very
cheaply but neatly clothed.
"Make up your mind" said the rasp,
ing voice. "Rida with me or walk the
streets by yourself and don't forge
that there's no job behind you. You've
said good-by to that door for good
The girls wan face went through
that contortion which says, II won't
cry" and doesn't, thereby achieving a
quivering of her lips, the trembling OF
her chin grew more pronounced-onIy
to steady down as she swept up strfck-
en- and impIOring eyes to the face Of
the unseen man.
"Oh, Duke" she begged, promise
promise you'll be always good to me-
"Of course. little one," said tho rasp
ing voice, promptly and much relieved
promising lightly to pay on demand
in full for a soul delivered in advance
you'll never regret it, believe me-"
The girl tore her doubling eyes
from his face and stepped toward the
cab. Mr.. Randolph made himself ex
ceeding small in the corner nearest
the curb. An unseen agent opened the
door; the girl slipped in and turned to
seat herself; her escort made to follow
Then did Mr.. Randolph suddenly lean
forward and proceed to push in the
face of Mr.. Beamer with his open
hand and the full weight Of his shoul-
der. That astonished scion of a once
gentlemanly house reeled backward
and sat down on the pavement ker-
PUNK.
MY what bump!" spoke a keen
young voice over Mr. Randolph's