Evening star., 1921-07-31

lAPED OVER THE BACK OF THE
AIR.
I sake. But say. the very first time
she got me,ih a tight place blamed
| II she didn't jump on me with judg-
| ment and get me sold out. Since
then I've been clerkin' in the, place
used to own. Twelve years I've
"weli. that ought to satisfy her
should think" says I.
| ~ =
rVoU don't know Luella then,
: says Mr.. Snyder. Seems as il
she'd sort of curdled against me
Afraid I'd talk. expect. So she bea,
| me to it. I don't think she's ever
missed a chance in the last dozen
years to give me a knock. You know
| spreadin' gossip. Why. some of the
| tales she peddled around among the
old hens she's chummy with would
| get me run out Of town IL everybody
! believed 'em. Mighty near lost me
my job twice. as it was. Not that
I'm any saint. do travel around
| with a bunch Of lives ones. I'll admit
| And now and then we have some
gay parties But it's nobody's busi-
| ness. as 1 see. l amt married, and
I Is uiop ~cch salary OH pOhcT
| or blow 1t in giving some young lady
good time, I'm the only one that's
| out. But let Luella get hold of a
| hint and she'll make the worst Of it.
Honest. l aint got enough reputation
left to swear by. thanks to her. and
when 1 saw this chance to get
| What chance?" I puts in.
| why" says Snyder. ''her being of
on a little spree of her own. 1 jus,
! got onto it by accident. You see
happened to be down here on 9
| dream she was In town, too. until
this afternoon 1 saw her at the hotel
| desk and overheard her asking how
TO- get to Greenwich village and
where to find the Cave Of the White
| Goddess joint"
hotel" I suggests
oh. I don't know" says he. "Its
a small one on West fifth that's run
BY Utica people and most of ouI
folks patronize 1t when they come to
New. New York; Makes us feel more at
how 1 got line on Luella, and now
/ I want to know what she's up to-"
Sorry" says I, but she's only
sleuthins after her nephew, Barry
oh. is that all?' says Lem. disap-
Says" 1 breaks in. perhaps it can
be arranged. after all. Shed be
rather surprised II you should walk
In on her here, wouldn't she?"
I'll bet she would" says he.
Then wait" says I. Barry isn't
In there who-well. I'll see what can
be done and you stick around until
I give you the signal"
Perhaps l haven't mentioned Barrys
roommate up at Miss Wellby's. Well
it's hardly necessary, for IL you give
a chance he'll mention himself In
cidentally. too, he'll admit being the
shiftfest automobile salesman north
OF Columbus Circle, quote figures to
prove IT, and be calling you by your
aes. es. name nss.nsds ,ns'se Of ten minutes
Yeah-uh. Put the spell on them,
That's my method. I can sell any
old make Of car. Just give me q
and RI unload = mortar mixer on
for a Rolls Royce. That's me-"
And Hammy was in there then
SLIPPING his second cup of chickory
blend, smoking his fifth cigarette
: bored eye. It took me less than
| three minutes to sidle along. >explain
| to him the plot Of the piece con-
| cerning Aunt Luella and Lem. Sny-
der. and suggest that he help out.
Just tell her you're a friendd OF
Barry's and go to it, says I. ''Im-
provise all you want. only fix up q
nice sporty scene for Mr.. Snyder'i
entrance"
Trust me-" says Hammy, indulg.
ing in a grin.
rdRs Rsas bs Wss though I'd San Ss.1d know be how
him. but from Barry. But, say. he
would have the king Of q wire-tap.
+! ping gang looking like an amateur
! saw him saunter over casual stoI
a. though he was surprised. smile
all about it.
isEHE next time I glanced their way
Hammy Wright was sitting close
beside he'd, one arm draped ovel
the back of auntie's chair. and he
| was evidently remarking what q
sumner she must have been only q
few years ago. Judging by the sim.
per on the old girls face. 1t was
something like that. Two minutes
later and he'd induced her to join
him in another demi tasse. I brought
them. It was then I heard him-ex-
! planning how mild his cigarettes
! were and urging her to try one, just
| for the experience.
Come. now" he was saying. you
| don't want to be back number dc
| you? And what harm will a few
puffs do? Every one does 1t wheI
| they come to the village. It's a. part
Of the show. Here! Just try this
! waited until I'd seen him strike
the match and then I dashed for thu
door. Who should find talking with
Lem. Snyder but Barry Platt.
is all set for the reunion. Crash righ'
in. both Of you."
Anyway. they landed in front Of tht
waving the cigarette in one hand ant
wiping the tears from her eyes vspst
the other. Not having been prepared
1t was a genuine Jolt for Barry.
'Why, Aunt Luellaw he gasps
'Youw
Gosh" says Lem. Snyder.
l. And when she saw them both stand.
ling there staring at her I thought fol
a minute that she was going to do &
back somersault over the chair. Blu
latter she had stopped choking from
the mouthful Of smoke she had swal
flowed she Strengthened up and turnet
"You-you tell them. Mr.. Wright
just how it happened" she 6egged.
"Huh!" says Lem. "You don't meet
Ito tell me. I've seen enough. And Tn