Evening star., 1926-06-06
Bv Austin PARKER
Three Thousand Dollars for Few Hours Work

Wen get it all right. Papa's
mighty bright that way"
"Maybe!"
More silence. and then, inevitably.
more Merry Widow"
1t was after o'clock when Harry
prepared to take off.
II wish 1 knew what you were up
to-" said Red.
Honest, 1 don't know much more
about it than you do," Harry an
swered. I'm just goin' ahead on
sealed orders"
IF you get in any trouble call me
up at the restaurant. I'll tell Maisie
to send one Of the kids for me. So
long"
so long"
The exhaust of the big engine
changed from a throbbing mutter to a
roar: the big plane turned, with Red
dragging on one wing, headed into the
wind and rolled down the field.
X X X \
DED had fallen into the habit of
AN late dinners. Not that he was in
fiuenced by continental fashions in the
matter of dining, but that he preferred
the Best-ever Restaurant-Maisie Cor
don, Sole Prop.-when the other pa
irons had finished eating. Then, GUS
toners all served and her kid brother
tucked into bed, Maisie would usually
sit across the table from him, chatter
ing as brightly as though she hadn't
finished IA hours of work.
"If Harry and l start a. flying field
near Hollywood, you come down and
open restaurant" Red said to her
one day. Would you?"
Maisie Gordon's blue eyes shone and
Lo,. f.,l ,oi line fo irlv rnilod nIIt the
words, would -" She seemed so lit
tie more than a youngster herself
she was only 20-yet for three years
following the death of her father and
mother In a mortal affray between a
six-ton truck and street car, she had
been running the Best-ever Restaurant
and making a good job of 1t, too.
Tommy, her 12-year old brother, hadn't
missed a day Of school. She ran him,
ran the cook, the two mattresses, the
cashier and herself with the capability
of one born to manage.
The year before, during an open
week in their bookings, Luke and My
rick had dropped down into one of the
emergency fields of the Air Mail to
spend a few days overhauling their
planes and resting. They discovered
Maisie. This year, when they had an
other open week, Red had suggested
that they return, even though the field
happened to be nearly 200 miles out of
their way. He had presented argu-
ments, but Harry silenced him by say
ing. "All right. Maisie's the only girl
I've ever seen you travel with that
didn't give me a pain in the glZzard
Let's go."
Maisie glanced up from the cashiers
desk, where she was balancing the
days accounts. as Red entered.
Where's Harry?"
off on a job"
Thought | heard him take off. Be
with you in a minute
He sat down, ordered his dinner.
Maisie would want to know all about
Harry's job, and he decided that he
had better get ready with a lie. 1t was
difficult to lie to Maisie.
"Harrys gone down to Centertown," !"
he said casually, as the girl sat oppo-
site him. 1.-THE Masons are holding
some sort of outdoor shindy, and they
wanted a plane"
OH
Like to go to movie tonight?"
Her head shook. TOO darned tired.
Red. Sorry Some other night. I'd
just go to sleep in the theater."
It's a dirty shame you have to
work so hard" he said feelingly. He
leaned toward her. Say, Maisie. it
looks as though we're going to have a.
pretty good chance of opening our
field in California this Winter. If we
can get a good location for you, will
you sure enough Gomez"
Sure enough"
"We'll know pretty soon-within a
few weeks"
AS he was leaving he said, 81 told
Harry to call me up here if he wanted
to talk tome. Will you send one of
the kids over for me? Tell him there's
two bits in it, She nodded. smiling.
''G'night, Maisie."
Good night"
"Maisie-you're a peach. l like
you"
II like you, too. Red" Her eyes met
his in an unabashed. friendly gaze.
They shook hands as though they
were sealing bargain. Good night"
"G'night."
DED walked slowly toward the dark
~ house where he and Harry were
quartered, his heart humping so that
it seemed to ring bell-like through his
body.
At lunch the following day he lin
gered over a cigarette and a second
cup Of coffee, until at last Maisie re-
warded him. She leaned over the back
of the chair opposite, smiling.
What do you think of Val Scott
escaping?" she demanded
wal Scott? All right with me. Who
is he?"
Her eyes opened wide in amaze
ment. you haven't heard of Val