The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1927-05-21
Hitched to q Would
Be Star
tcopyrIght.l
By H. LOUIS RAYBoLD


ingenue role in the new Ritzfeid Alb
surdities.
Bill had always known Muriel was
peach for looks, and now that her
beauty had been publicly recognized,
he was prouder than ever, saw her
off at the station, and fairly loaded
her down with magazines, chocolates
and carnations. It's such a short time
before you come back again, Muriel
darling" was the very last thing he
whispered.
Poor Bill 1t wasn't Muriel who
returned to him, but Murielle, with all
the change that the spelling implies
Feted and referred to, runner-up in
the state beauty contest, Bills fiance
had had her fluffy little head so stuffed
with fiattery that it was altogether
turned.
How do you dol" she greeted him
calmly. extending the tips Of her slen-
der fingers. lawfully warm, is it
not?''
Bill should have crushed her in his
arms then and there, crushing the
nonsense out of her. but this Bill did
not do, and let himself in for a peck
of misery accordingly.
In the days which followed, things
went from bad to worse. If Bill had
not been deeply in love with Muriel,
he would probably have given her up
forever AS II was, he told himself
that If she could only be jOlted out of
the disagreeable phase through which
she was passing, she would be once
again the Muriel he adored.
He was beginning to worry whether
1t was not up to him to provide the
necessary jolt, when Muriel announced
that on the following Tuesday after
noon she was to try out, with other
contestants, for the part in Mr.. Ritz
fields play.
AS Tuesday neared Muriel grew
more and more unbearable, quite as
though she were practicing on Bill
the peculiarities of temperament she
innocently imagined appropriate to an
INDUCED actress. Her natural little
airs and graces became mannerisms
so affected that Bill nearly wept out
OF sheer pity.
Then he became desperate and ready
for stern measures. If only he could
keep Muriel from that COMPOUNDED try
out, he might save both himself and
her much future unhappiness. That
Muriel would land anything Of perma-
nent value. he felt was impossible.
Whether she was accepted or not, she
was headed for ultimate disappoint
ment and disillusion.
A scheme occurred to Bill whereby
MurieI might be unable to be present
on Tuesday, but at first he dismissed
1t as too horrible. But he dwelt upon
1t and when Muriel actually passed
him on the street with the remotest OF
cool little mods, he threw his scruples
to the winds.
shes fairly crying for punishment"
he muttered. land Ill see that she
gets it."
That night he called Murlel on the
telephone and begged for one small
favor. LET me treat you to banana
split he pleaded. "for old times
sake"
For some reason or other. 1t suited
Muriel to accept. Ii was dark when
Bill came for her and when they
reached the drug store. Bill suggested
that he get the splits and that they
sit on the top Of old man Peck's stone
wall and eat them. where it's cool
and we are by ourselves" said Bill.
With a split in each hand, he let
MUfel climb up unaided to the top Of
the WALL Then he handed her the
refreshments and got up himself
somewhat awkwardly, by means of the
glossy-leaved vine.
Somewhat 10 the girls surprise,
Bill said very little and nothing re-
motley sentimental Only, when he
left her at her door. hint OF some
thing queer crept into his voice. RE
member, Muriel. that what I've done.
I've done for the best"
On the morning Of the try-out, Bill
felt queer when he woke up. His
eyes opened with difficulty and an
itching sensation bothered his hands
and arms. Suddenly. remembering,
he lay back on the pillows. "She may
be worse than I am" he groaned.
why did | do it,
He stood his misery gamely. and
refrained from asking for news of
Muriel. At every ring OF the telephone
or doorbell he shrank, and when, late
in the afternoon, he heard Muriel's
dear voice I'm the hall, he started to
bury his head in the bedclothes. Then.
as he caught what she was saying, he
sat straight up and listened.
"When you phoned that Bill was
laid up, | was so upset! You see, II
was all my fault, Mrs Sherman.
knew old man Peck's wall was covered
with ivy but / don't poison and never
thought Of Bill. The poor, poor thing
II upset me SO, forgot all about the
try-out until almost too late to 60, and
then / was thinking Of Bill and did 80
badly I didn't have look-inI Oh
when do you think he'll be round
againT
I'm FIVE minutes by the clock n
shouted a strong masculine voice.
As a matter Of fact, it was less thar
four when Bill, puffy and red about
the eyelids. but clothed and in his
right and happy mind. came out tc
Muriel And, guilty although he knew