Evening star., 1921-06-19


There! He's edsing out. Perhaps he's
coming In to invest"
But he didn't. so l decided that he
must have had a hunch we were kid
ding about him and had slipped away.
Along toward o'clock. though. I
spotted him again, back at the same
corner. And he is taking a long.
close look at Inez.
You've got him vamped good and
plenty. Inez." says I. "Theda Bara
couldn't have done a more thorough
job. But I think he might have blown
himself to a shave and haircut while
he was gone"
Huh" says 1nez. "Lotta old fools
run loose. eh?''
He has sense enough to get wise
that were talking about him. though.
and once more he edges out. SO by the
time the closing gong rings and we've
joined in the home-going rush, I've
forgotten all about him. And after
wasting twenty minutes trying to
find seats on No. 5 bus. we starts
strolling up 5th avenue. as rule.
hut when you've been on your feet
| for an eight-hour stretch sitting
would come rather easy.
1t wasn't until we'd made the turn
into 51th street and were crossing
over my shoulder and notices a ia
miliar figure.
will you look what's trailing US.
Inez?" says !. The wicked old cut
up. Your window hound"
Same one" says Inez. But he's
looking at other thinRs"s-..,
Yes. millinery" says I. "A minute
ago. though. he was sleuthing after
us.
Maybe he just happen here" says
Inez. Come on. I'm hungry"
Every well.' says /. Might be just
habit with him he'll have to talk to
me-
I WIS lust suspicious enough to
keep scouting over my shoulder now
and then. and before We had passed
Carnegie Hall I got a glimpse of him
his neck as he went.
"lnez." says l. "are you especially
fond of that old boy with the button
nose and the sasgy tie?"
Ne. Me- say, she; -, That old boob
what happens. You won't be much
late for dinner. Anyway! we don't
want any more near-scandals at the
boarding house"
A ND a minute or so later along
he comes, dodging through the
sidewalk traffic and looking ahead
worried. ! steps out bold and gives
him the sign. He seems surprised
and fused. but he comes to a halt.
Say. old sport" says I, whats the
dastardIy design"
"Hey2' says he.
rs this a game of cross tag or what ?"
goes on. "Oh. you needn't rub your
chin and try to look innocent watched
you doing your window hound act, and
you've been trailing US clear from the
store. Whaddye mean by it?'
II yust been walkin' along" says
he.
"Ycs. you have" says I. You've
been following as close on our heels as
you dared, and a moment ago. when You
thought you'd lost US. you were spriptinp
ahead for all you were worth. Ought to
be ashamed of yourself. too, at your age.
Say. do you think YOU can drift in here
from the rutabaga fields and pull stuff
like that"
1 must say. though. that he's a nervy
one. He blinks a'bit nervous. but he
lady" says he. Il don't mean moth
ing"
That's poor alibi" says I. And
il this is just a habit Of yours I'm here
to tell you that it's bound to pull down
trouble. Now you tell me what your
name is or I'll call a cop."
That gives him Jolt. all right
please" says he, Il yHst like to know
about the othef young lady, the. big
one"
"Yes. 1 could guess that much" says
1. They generally do. But why do
you want Information about her?"
"She-she looks a lot like somebody
I know once" says he..
oh. does she?" says l.. We'll. who
was it in the dear dead past? Give us
the name.
"Helma olsen." says he, prompt.
And at that I heard kind Of a choky
Gurg!e from Inez.
the matter? Any one You were ac-
quainted with?''
"Helma Olsen," repeats Incz. That
that maw's name when she amt mar
ried."
Il knew. I knew" cackles the old boy.
You must be little Inez."
well. we'll" says I. I'VE seem to be
was this Helen Olsen to you. mister?"
"Helma. my sister" says he.
GLORY be"' says I. 1.-THE real. gen.
uine, sure enough Uncle Nels at last!
Do you get that. 1nez?
Inex mods. But she doesn't display
much enthusiasm. She seldom does,
though. The Petersen family evident
lyy isn't given to impetuous clinches.
Hello, Uncle Nels," says Inez. :.
Hello. 1nez." says he.
And they don't even shake hands.
We've been lookin' for you," adds
Inez. $50 -. .-
II should say we had" puts in.
Say, don't you ever read the papers?"
Not much" says he. What you
want to find me for?.
that!' says I. "Say, why shouldn't
Inez want to look for her rich uncle?"
Rich" says be. who tell you
thatf"