The Omaha morning bee., 1925-03-29

From within came the mournfu
vail of once-proud orchestrion, now
sadly In need of the ministration OF
some kindly mechanic. This was ac
cempanied by the rhythmic srssssh
shrrsh of woodenrollered skates upor
the well chalked floor.
The floor was a whirling mass oi
color. Birmingham very bestest col
ored society was represented by an
overwhelming majority, giving mute
testimony to the fact that the recrnd
eseence OF the skating craze hat
swept the city by storm.
Semore's gaze feasted upon the rev
elers and he felt his money pocket
growing heavier in anticipation.
! Now the orchestrion wheezed away
to a slckening pause, then burst forth
afresh In a roar of Jazz. As as al
afresh in a roar of jazz. At as ar
the floor and 1.-THE and graceful fig
ure tipped to the center and con
torted itself into a series of amazing
figures.
At the crest of the wave of popu
larity which had, greeted the return
OIL TDliPf -fkdllllS IOue i'i'fsoi 80
Harris. until recently stranger II
the city.
Zero Harris could skate. He whirled
and piroutted upon one wheel hf
spun and glided and tipped about the
smooth floor like a blackbird on
wheels.
Zero's personality had put across
the Niagara Falls venture Just as his
unflagging optimism. combined Will
that personality. had persuaded the
canny Semore Mashby into making
the necessary original investment.
Zero Harris it appeared, had la
bored for many years in and arounc
skating Kinks at the time when tht
roller sport was at Its zenith. III
came to Birmingham with the Idea OF
securing a position in his profession
of barbering but an acquaintanshll
with Semore Mashby, reputed to be
the vealthiest man of color in Birm
ingham. and his old love for the rink
sport. prompted him to undertake the
task of interesting tho Mashby CAPT
tai in the venture.
1t required all of Zero's spellbind-
ing art. and readiness to risk a
large percentage of his own modest
capital. to bring Semore In. They
divided the expense of equipment
which. under the terms OF copartner'
sship. was owned in common. The
building had been secured by Semore
"a. rambling structure In tho re-
cesses of which Mr.. Mashby had con-
Quoted a desultory warehouse bust
ness for a number of years.
But now as Semore surveyed the
scene of jo1lity he found in his heart
a sentiment whichc was not entirety
happiness. Each skater represented
so cents to the Mashby eye ana Sc
more felt within himself keen regret
that only a moiety OF that sum was
finding It's way into his own pocket.
II ANNOYED him that Professor Harris
wa, sharing the financial success oil
tho enterprise.
Too. there was q more personal
angle to Semore's reluctance to Snare
his profits with Zero Harris. Ano
that angle was even at the moment
gliding out onto the floor, hands
outstretched toward Zero.
Mis-, Ammonia Minis had for some
time been the apple of Mr.. Mashby
matrimonial eye. He was pleasec
by her reputation for frugality and
domestic alertness. Nor was her
beauty entirely wasted upon Semore
He had proceeded methodically about
his courtship. quite convinced that
any moment he cared To lay his Tor
tune at her feet she would plunge
willingly into the matrimonial sea
And so she most probably would
nave done had not Professor Zero
Harris appeared.
Ammonia ranked as the best skater
among the colored feminine citizenry
and that distinction marked the bono
OF friendship between herself. and
Zero.
The orchestrion stumbled to halt
Zero and his lady friend glided the
length Of the floor and paused before
the. thin figure OF the coowner oi
the Niagara Falls. They were pal
pitant with the Joy and excitement oi
the moment.
"Evenin'. partner"
10. Zero" Then. with his mos
radiant smile. AN how you Is, Miss
Ammonia?"
She dimpled bewitchingly. "Tol'a
Bile. thank you"
From the other side of the flool
came a terrific crash and shrill
plaintiVe feminine voice" Mistuf
uarrls-O-o.oh Professor Harris"
Zero was off like streak. bn
when the fair Ammonia, would hav'
pursued him Semore detained her.
"Jos minute. Ammonia. Graves
to ralo talk with you
"Yasslh. Brother Mashby. Shoot. :"
ITS about that Zero feller. Am
monia. how come you TO be so In
trusted IN him?"
A blush OF pale lavender suffuse
her cheeks. Jaw! you g'wan, Mistul
Mashby. amt instrusted In Ter
Harris"
Her coy manner gave the lie 10 he
words and Semore was not pleased
"You suttlnly ac's like he was tn
fondest man you is OF.
"Ain't he yo' partner In the Mag r
Falls au amt you-all two maxim
heap OF money!"
Semore squIrmed. This was rut
bing II in with n vengeance. :
Zeros stock scared high with IN
young lady by reason of their copar'
nershipl
"IIe amt no kind Of n man TO yo
10 make ma'iage with, Ammonia. II
Amt nothin on'y a shifless, non'