The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1922-05-11
Observation-Disclosures
Oopyright. 1870. by The Wheeler Syndicata Inc
By FANNIE HURST

NCC, an SOu lllliC SpllhlC1 ONl-
ting me wrong like that. l never said
nothing against him. Sure he's a real
guy. seen him once with Al,
great big fellow with a mouth full
of teeth and a smile as catching as
measles. Say, If this way Of going
on suits you, klddo, Gawd knows 1t
amt my rest cure you're taking. Sure,
1 remember the fellow, and his FIVE
inch SMILE"
"Smile! Gee, right after the paral-
ysis set in and 1 was stark raving
crazy with the scare, it was that smile
steered and"
Sure, sure. Say. all of this amt
none of my butt-in."
His incertltude might have been q
cabal Of opinion inyeighed against her.
A wall Of fog rose up sheer, dimming
her eyes.
"T-hOnest, you got me so upset
so upset II just don't know what to
do dunno. You could make a ruler
look crooked-you and your-your
crooked way of thlnkin'."
81 amt butting in no more, klddO.
All done was to throw out friendly
hint, but the first time I opened my
mouth got my foot in It,"
mo, no, Lee; l didn't mean moth
ing"
He would not be placated. his lips
equirking curiOusly upward.
Let a fellow like me try to do
girl a turn and watch him get stung
every time"
She held out an arm, family re-
monstrative.
"But, Lee, yOu-yOu got me so upset
tit all come so sudden-llke. Sure I
gotta get out and hustle, sure I-only
II can't catch the leven-seven no
more tonight, Lee. Sure, you're right.
il can't stay living off him like this.
Sure gotta hustle, but mot so soon!
Not so all-Of-a-sudden"
He was stayed, but sullen.
"Say, you amt doing me no favor.
But your luggage is all on you, amt
1t? Didn't you say so yourself-noth-
ing here amt yours?"
yves"
'"Then what's hurting"
Tin all out of step, too, Lee"
He turned to her, conciliatOry.
But you amt lost your looks, kiddo.
l got to hand it to you there. You
amt lost your looks"
"I-couldn't go without telling him
Ben"
"Teil him you're on your job again
like a self-respectlng girl, and he'll
think more Of you"
But sometimes it's nearly twelve
when he passes from the Monday
night meetings and-and the trains off
at 'leven-seven."
write him. Gee, a fellow don't
need brick opry house to fall on
him. But don't let me butt In, If"
I'm all out of step, Lee"
But lights were burning in her eyes.
He smiled down at her and patted
her shoulder.
You're all right, Lo-LO But wait
till you see the part I've got up my
sleeve for you. A fiVe-minute single
with chorus support thatll make
you over night"
Lee"
I'm going to advertise you, too,
kidGo. You got a running start on
press stuff already that'n make you
a feature on any bill"
"Gawd, Lee, II feel right scared"
"Sure you do. It's a wonder nine
months in a tank like this amt sent
you to padded cell"
ut amt that, Lee. Honest, you'll
laugh, but I've kinda got to liking 1t.
It-honest, it's a great little town,
Lee"
"Sure"
I'VE lived here so quiet together
him and me, Lee; $3.50 quiet"
"One week on Broadway and you'll
have your sea legs back"
1T amt like 1 was forgetting him,
is it, Lee? God knows 1 amt"
"Sure you amt. He"
Honest, Lee, it's just like l had
dug grave for him right-right down
deep in my heart and put the same
kind of evergreen on it that there is
out-out where he lays"
"Sure."
That's how I remember him, Lee,
that's how the remembrance Of him
is ever ever green inside Of me- But
but like you say, II can't 60 on
living here off-off-"
Her lips quivered like wounded
flesh.
He shifted uneaslly.
THAT'S the idea, girl. But lOoka,
five to eight l gotta beat 1t, Lo"
Leven-seven. 1 gotta get a few
things together Lee. II wonder
what time the meeting will"
Leven-seven is right 'Leven-seven
train and ten-fOrty curtain. Can you
beat it? Thirty minutes to pack up
a show as big as circus. Be down
at the train, kiddo, and I'll be there
with bells on to take care Of you.
/ got to beat 1t now; you know bet
tern me how that gang needs watch
ing. Ieven-seven, kiddo."
al 90 -"
(To BE CONTINUED