Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-12

| over to America and make an enor-
nous fortune. l shan't know how to
spend the money!"
| why not buy some socks? I'm
running a bit short of them"
| Now, laddie, laddie," said Ukridge,
need we strike a Earring note? Is
this the moment to fling your beastly
socks in an old friends face? A
broader minded spirit is what l would
| like to see."
I WAS 10 minutes late in arriving
at the Regent Grill on the We'd
nesday Of George Tupper's invitation,
and the spectacle of George at the
Piccadilly entrance filled me with
remorse.
"Oh, there you are" said George.
II say, it's too bad"
I'm awfully sorry. My watch"
"Ukridgev cried George Topper,
and l perceived that it was not l
who had caused his concern.
Isn't he coming?" 1 asked, amazed
The idea of Ukridge evading a free
meal was one Of those that seem
to make the foundations Of the world
rock.
He's come. And he's brought a
girl with him.
"A grill"
I'm pink, with yellow hair" walled
George Upper. What am to do?"
TITS a weird thing for even Ukridgc
to have DONE" 1 said, but l suppose
you'll have to give her dinner"
| But the place is full of people
know. and this girls $3.50 spectacu-
lar"
I felt for him deeply, but l could
see no way out Of it.
Topper sighed.
He drew himself up as if bracing
himself for a dreadful ordeal.
"Oh, we'll, I suppose there's nothing
to do" he said. Come along. l left
them drinking cocktails in the
lounge"
George had not erred in describing
Ukridge's addition to the festivities
as spectacular. Flamboyant would
have been a suitable word AS she
preceded us down the long dining
room, her arm linked in George Tup-
| per's-she seemed to have taken a
liking to George had ample oppor-
tunity for studying her, from her pat
ent-leather shoes to the mass of golden
hair beneath her picture-hat
Ukridge seemed to experience a
slight twinge of conscience.
II have an idea, ladd:e," he whis-
pered, that old Tuppy is n trifle
peeved at my bringing FlOssie along.
If you get chance you might just
murmur to him that it was mill
tary necessity
who is she?' l asked
Il told you about her. Flossie. the
barma1d at the Crown in kenning-
ton. Billsons tiance"
| 1 looked at him in amazement.
DO you mean to tell me that you're
counting death by flirting with Bat
Ting Billson's girl?"
| my dear old man. nothing like
that said Ukridge. shocked THE
whole thing Is, I've got a particular
favor to ask of her-rather a rummv
! request-and it was no good springing
it on her in cold blood. There had
to be certain amount of champagne
In advance. and my funds won't run
TO champagne. I'm taking her on to
the Alhambra after dinner I'll look
you up tonight and tell you all
about it,
We then proceeded to dine. 1t was
not one of the pleasantest meals of my
experience. The future Mrs. Billson
prattled agreeably throughout, and
Ukridge assisted her in keeping the
conversation alive; but the shattered
demeanor of George Topper would
nave taken the sparkle out of any
banquet. 1t was relief when Ukridge
and his companion rose to leave.
| WE'LL" began George Tupper.
as they moved away down the aisle.
L sat back to listen
| X 81 X
III KRIDGE arrived in my rooms at
| midnight. His manner was ex.
uberant.
It's all right" he said.
| m glad you think So
| Did you explain to Tuppy?"
II didn't get a chance. He was
talking too hard"
| about me?"
| Yes. He said everything I've al
ways felt about you, only far, far bet
ter than l could ever have put it."
| Ckridge's face clouded for a mo-
ment. but cheerfulness returned.
oh. we'll, it can't be helped. He'll
simmer down in a day or two 1t had
to be done, laddie. And it's all right.
Read this"
! 1 took the letter he handed me. It
was written in a scrawly hand. read.
! WHEREFORE
Who on earth's Wilberforce
Il told you that was Billson's
name"
"Oh, yes"
/ returned to the letter.
| w uDeTIOrcc.
Il take my pen in hand to tell you
that / can never he yours. You will
no doubt be surprised to hear that
love another and a better man, so that
1t can never be. He loves me, and he
is a better man than you
Hoping this finds you in the pink
as it leaves me at present.
Yours faithfully,
"FLORENCE BURNS"
II told her to keep it snappy," said
Ukridge.
"Well. she's certainly done it." ! re.
piled, handing back the letter. I'm
sorry. From the little I saw Of her,
/ thought her a nice girl-for Billson.
Do you happen to know the other
mans address? Because 1t would be
a kindly act to send him a post card
advising him to leave England for a
year or two"
THE shoreditch Empire will find
him this week.
What"
The other man is Tod Bingham"
Tod Bingham. Do you mean to
say that Tod Bingham is in love with
! Battling Billson's giri?"
! No. He's never seen her."
What do you mean"
| Laddie,' said Ckridge, 81 will tell
you all. Yesterday afternoon 1 found
/ Old Billson reading a copy of the Daily
| Sportsman. He isn't much of reader
as rule. so ! was rather interested to
know what had gripped him. And do
You know what It was, old horse?"