The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-14

some, engaging beggar with dou- ble-jointed outlook upon life, Scotch caution and American recklessness. Funny, when you think of Scot, you always lug in the word canny. Well, Rederiek was canny, whenever his Scotch blood caught up with his American.
 One night last September I ran across him in the deserted grill of the club. He was staring dreamily over a half-emptied bottle of ginger ale, and in his strong teeth was pipe that smelled to heaven.
 This is perfectly demned splen- didl" he greeted, giving me writer's cramp forthwith.
 We spent an hour recalling happy days in England, the grouse and the salmon. During a Hull, in which we filled our pipes afresh, I saw him smile pleasurably. Then he unbut- toned his tunic and drew forth the most charming little white slipper l ever saw.
 "What in thunder have you been doing now?' I demanded. Where did you get that?'
 "on the floor of one of your old ba1ly motor vehicles. Cinderella minus What?" he balanced the slipper on his palm speculatively. "A proud little slipper-just the sort to walk over mans heart. l won- derl"
 For the love O Mike. shoot it!' I cried.
 Shoot it? Oh, see. Tell it. You Yankees still fuss me up, trying to follow. But this isn't a war story, y'know-not directly, nothing to do with spies and all that"
 "A love story? All the better" q wonder!" he unused, returning -tfr F. kfes 1rax rurho left noticeable bulge over his heart.
 A lonesome man Cameron beganl is always inviting a tail spin. The lonesomer he is. the more curious he is; and it is curiosity that makes these air pockets. A chap can't get ehummy with these melancholy bar tenders on ginger ale Honestly, now!
 Last night-it was after dinner. went up to the book stall for some thing to read, when dapper little man with smart look in his eye, tapped my arm.
 Would you like box at the Fol- lies tonight?" he asked.
 'Top hole! I cried, starting to dig. Cash, y'know.
 "Tut-tutw The little man took out card and scribbled something on it, gave it to me. waved his hand and danced eff.
 The astonishment on the clerks face gave me the idea that something very unusual had happened. Do you know who that was?' he said. -
 ''No."
 That's the manager of fae pret- tiest little chickens in all this broad land"
 Dickens, I didn't gather first off, yrknow, what the deuce a poultry man had to do with a stageful tf show girls. The clerk evidently saw my bewilderment, for he began to explain all about chickens and broii- CTS and squabs, and all that. I say, you Yankeesi There doesn't seem to be elbow room in the dictionary for you chaps.
 I took that box seat, of course. I don't suppose anyone can buy a seat in the front row. Family heirlooms, should say, handed down from one generation to another.
 Well, when those ripping girls came out. l was lGnesomer than ever. If only I had known one of 'em, or if l had known some one who knew one of 'em! couldn't hunt up the manager, know, or he would have written me down a bounder. Besides, I'm nc frequent Johnny"
 Ten minutes after the curtain went up, those girls had spotted me and Were talking me over among themselves. And I not daring to pass a smile. y'know! I suddenly woke up to what had happened. The manager had been generous for two reasons, one Of 'em being little show for the girls.
 You know how I hate to be in the limelight. l began to get demned fussy looked about the orchestra y'know, making believe I was hunt ing for some one.
 The aisle seat nearest me in the front row was vacant. l wondered if l could obtain that seat. Where I was was deviIish embarrassing. In time l had to look back at the stage. trying deuced hard to appear blase and making rotten job of it.
 Suddenly noticed the show girl at my end. l say, old dear but I got a shock. Nc, no-I don't know her; but dash it. I'd have given ten years pay for the privilege. Stunning. Rather small, black haired and black eyed-a Persian peach of a lassie, a real beauty! fine face, for the makeup didn't spoil it.
 Y'know how you pick out one on the stage and follow through? Welt began to watch her, for she was the only girl who didn't watch me Presently I noticed that she moved about, danced, sang. laughed with the most patent mechanicalness. She was mannikjn