Evening star., 1922-09-24

he was anxious to get in on a big
reward, couldn't place Mr.. Adams at
all.
And next, just as we had decided
that perhaps he'd had late bloom
ing love affair which had been
blighted by an early frost. this In
cident in the dining room got US all
stirred up again. You see, Horton
had concluded to be a bit more folksy
and had joined US at the family table
for meals. On this particular night
he and Barry were having quite q
chummy chat about books and plays
and other highbrow subjects. and
were lingering over their coffee and
cigarettes long after the others had
finished. Only Inez was hovering
around, pretending to clear the table,
but stretching an ear for the talk
which she understood almost as clear
Iy as II they'd been using Chinese.
T>HEN came this limousine full Of
i folks who'd heard about our fried
chicken dinners and had dropped in
unannounced to sample the same. 1t
was a family party, headed by a
ponderous old dame who talked
eushy enough but had a cold, hard
eve and a firm chin. With her were
two daughters, one Just out OF the
heavyweight happer stage and the
other still in It, Also Sonny, a fat
boy with cross eyes and a peevish
disposition. I could tell at a glance
that it would take at least six Rhode
Island Reds and two apple pies to
satisfy this, crowd, so I mentioned
that two-fifty each was the price and
that they couldn't be served for half
an hour.
every WE'LL" says the old girl.
THAT will just. give us time to rest
and clean up a little"
So I started to tow them In, but
the door into the dining room was
open and the husky fiapper strayed
in there by mistake. I didn't notice
until I heard her calling for mother.
DIOR the love of Pete" says she'
"say, Mawr Take a look at who's
here"
I And the particular individual her
gaze rested on was Horton Adams.
OF course, Nav took a peek.
"rhat person" says she, letting 1t
out with q snort. -
At which the others grouped them
selves about the doorway. "sure
enough" says Sonny. LAS big as
life, too. Crook Adams"
"The big stin" added the ex-fap-
per, breathing hard as she stared In
Thought he'd sneaked away from US
didn't hep
None of them whispered their com
ments. and naturally Horton Adams
could not help hearing. Even before
he turned around, his face and ears
went pink, but as he swung aoou'
and saw the hostile audience In the
doorway, the flush deepened.
Good heavensw he gasped.
And the next thing knew he'd
pushed back his chair and was beat
ing it out the back way through the
kitchen.
"What's he doing herer' demanded
mother.
"Just staying with us few days
says I. 'swhy?"
'Huh!. says mother. ''Choice lo'
of guests you must have, II he's
sample"
And. somehow that didn't get me
shinrying on her side. ''Well, what's
the matter with himr' came back
at her.
ut you don't mind" says mother
cold and naughty. II would prefer
not to discuss this person at ALL"
'No, Nav. I wouldn't," chimes II
Sonny. He-he's beneath your notice
Shall we go on somewhere else fo'
dinner?"
"No," says mother, her eyes snap
ping. Il shall not change my PLAN
on account Of such--such trash
! Young woman, see that dinner II
! served as promptly as possible. ant
as soon as we've had 1t we will leave
"ouite so." says l.,
with that I left them to give m,
orders to skiry. bat Gould hear then
bnxsine Indignant every time
passed the living room door.