Evening star., 1926-05-23

INQUIRED the other blonde, Who was
goldenish in tint.
Don't know any. Didn't | tell YOU
I'm a stranger in this town.
What did Wayloe have to go and
die on us for?" This contribution
came from the second man of the
party.
Because" answered the third girl
"AIr Wimpf fed him that denatured
gasoline that he calls pre-war. Same
reason we're walking it off, Mr.
Nimpf."
"Oh. come now, Mary"
Miss Ryder" corrected the girl.
But Mr.. Sullivan said, this being
my only evening in town.
Yes: know You're II valuable Gus
toner. But just the same. I'm Miss
RYDER" She was mild but firm as
she added: And if you've got 10 lean
against something. there's bench"
Mr. Wmpf contemplated the bench,
"S'occupied' he stated.
On the far end was -huddled a figure.
Said the reddish blond: There S
your third man
Thus spurred Mr.. Wimpf ap-
preached the bench, "Hey!' said he,
uncertainty.
Hey yourself. and kindly stop
rocking the boat"
The voice was clear. sood humored
and quite decided. For a moment Mr..
Wimpf was taken aback. My name
is Mr., Wimpf' he announced. recov-
ering.
TOO bad But What do YOU expect
me to do about it,
"Huho Do about what?
Never mind. Have YOU got a job
IN your pocket?
Disguised, Mr.. Wimpf turned to his
companions. He wants a job. he eX-
rlained.
The bench-warmer's glance, follow
ing that of Mr. Wimpf, brought his
face partly under the ray of the elec-
rric light. Miss Ryder observed. ap-
rraised and approved il. She stepped
forward. The man on the bench stood
up and removed his hat.
He wants YOU to so TO dance,
she explained.
We're a nunbalanced party" said
Mr. Wimpf IF there's anything !
cerniy hate, it's unbalanced
"So?" said Mary Ryder. with lifted
eyebrows.
I'D love to-" returned the young
man "But--'
You don't have to be dressed up"
oh. that's the least OF my
troubles" His half open overcoat
shaved an expanse of shirt-front with
H. WldCh Tie SIIbs- AAA VIZ kN'
under a wing collar. The fact is,
haven't got the price
And thatil be all right" Mary
RYDER interrupted. Come over and
meet the bunch" she bade the
stranger. What did you forget to
say your name is?"
Jones'"
An. yes. John Paul, suppose"
And vouc" he said.
sT,,,, p,rda
Thank you. l accept the invita-
YOU can file along with me-" she
said. as the group set forth in pairs.
Nov" she proceeded presently,
%'what's the masquerade
Masquerade? There isn't any.
The mystery, then? love mys'
ferries"
''All right, III quahfy on those
terms"
Miss Ryder wriggled shyly.
''Oh. Mr.. Jones, You're such case.
You oughtn't 10 start ANYTHING like
that with . Young girl Just from the
country, like me"
Mr.. Jones stopped directly beneath
ar electric light and subjected his
,.oropanion to n brief scrutiny.
AN right" he said. I'm on. They
discharged YOUR guardian when you
vere about Il. didn't they?
Yes" she admitted coyly. There
was nothing moro ] could teach her.
and she had TO go. When did your
soverness leave?"
Help"
An right. John Paul Jones. Now
we start again. What was the Jolly
about striking Mr.. Wimpf for 2 job
You never can tell. He might have
had one about his person somewhere"
what have Won been trying for?
'Po 7 have to be something's" he
aeked doubtfuiy.
"Of COURSE"
An right. Then I'm Il Boy Scout.
really was one once.
They we're already at the gate of
the Rosemont dance hall. Mr.. Wimpf
bought the tickets. He turned to
count noses,
"Two-four~ six. Sail right. II
there's anything I do despise like
poison. It's q non balanced party.
x = X
WHAT chiefly struck young Jones
w about Mary Ryder was the
extraordinary atmosphere of vitality
in which she had her bllthe being:
Onlv the eyes. amidst her radiance of
personality, gave hint of serene depths
beneath.
Already Jones had begun 10 wonder
what they thought Of him---those
ewes. When they rested on him 1t
was with an expression amused ana
kindly and speculative. lie was doing
some speculating himself while ex-
pertlv guiding her about the we'll filled
floor of the Rosemont. SO was Air.
Wimpf He was specializing upon the
gross Injustice of world in which
prettv girl whom one had taken out
for the evening put in most OF the
time dancing with a pickup from
park bench. Something OF this must
have appeared in his face as Mary
RYDER swept past in her partner
arms, or perhaps she was becoming
anxious over his frequent recourse to
his flask. Anyway, at 1870 o'clock
xha decided that duty led her back to
him.
Why" inquired young Jones.
Because he's customer OF the
irm."
Don't crush me by telling me that
Sou're q member of the firm.
m an employee highly valued
employe." .
ner.''
You'll appreciate my value all the
more for little change. Boy Scout
the gay voice became Severe-"haVe
YOU done your worthy deed today
Now that you mention it, l don't
believe I have"
'"rhen go to it. There it is. In the
first box to the left"
mot the one in purple"
THE one in purple" she stated
Hrrnly.
"she's 40 If a day and 400 If a
pound"
-what isn't the point. She hasn't
danced this evening"
ooh WELT If YOU really mean 1t.