The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-02-09
aOa GaelAir

VII
Paul was going to speak at a
meeting of Communists the next
evening, and Bunny must go to that
meeting, of course. But what was
he to do with Wee? She would not
be interested in hearing Paul tell
about Russia; she had learned all
about it from her friend, Prince
Marescu. Bunny bethought him of
Dad and the seances, and by tact
full manipulation he caused the old
gentleman to call up Wee and tell
her about an especially interesting
seance they were going to have
that evening. Wee promised to
come, and Bunny thought he was
free.
But then about lunch time BERTHE
called him on the phone. $50 your
old Paul is in Paris!"
Bunny was startled; having
thought he was keeping a secret.
Then he laughed. $50 your old
secret service has been at work."
Said his sister, 81 just thought
you might be interested to know
your old Paul is not going to speak
tonight. The police have arrested
him"
"WRo told you that?"
They've just notified the EN-
bassy. He's to be expelled-in fact
he's on his way now"
"My God, BERTHE, are you sure?"
"Of course Pm sure. Did you
think they'd let him make Bolshevik
speeches in France?"
az mean-are you sure they're
going to expel him?" Bunny had
learned so much about the treat
ment accorded to the reds-all
Europe had, adopted the sweet Gus
tom of the American police, to beat
their prisoners with rubber hose,
which leaves no marks upon the
skin. So there began a wrangle
over the phone, Bunny in a panic,
insisting upon knowing what Off
cial had given the information to
Eldon; and BERTHE insisting that
Bunny should not make another of
his stinks in Paris, and maybe get
himself deported, and his brother
in-law ruined in the eyes of all
Europe.
In the end Bunny hung up, and
called the office of the Communist
newspaper. Did they know about
the arrest of Comrade Pull Votkan
so it was necessary to say it. No,
they knew nothing about it, they
would endeavor to find out. And
Bunny jumped into a taxi-cab and
FASTENED to the office of the Prefet
de Police, where he was received
with a lack Of that courtesy which
police officials usually display to
young gentlemen properly tailored.
They had no information to give
about the American, Paul Votkan,
but they would like to receive in
formation about an American
named Ebay Arnoll Rrr-oss feess,
and how long he expected to abuse
the hospitality of the French gov
eminent by giving sums of money
to enemies of public safety.
Meantime BERTHE, in her despera-
ton, was appealing to Wee Tracy,
begging her to make one more eff
fort to get Bunny out Of this hid
eous ENHANCEMENT. Wee answered
that she would make one more, and
only one. She turned from the tele-
phone and ordered her maid to pack
her belongings, and when Bunny
came back from his visit to the
police, he found note in his mail
box:
Dear Bunny: have just learned
why l was to be put off with a
spiritualist seance tonight, instead
of going to the opera with you!
The time has come when you have
to choose between your red friends
and me, and / have moved to an
other hotel until you make up your
mind. Please do not try to see me,
because / will not speak to you
again until this matter has been
settled. If it is to be all over be-
tween us, quick clean cut is the
way i choose. | will no longer en-
dure the humiliation of being as
ISOLATED with dangerous criminals;
and unless you can say that you
love me enough to change your as
sociates, l mean that you are never
to see me again. Take time to think
it over, but not too much time.
Yours, Vee."
AS a matter of fact, Bunny did
not need any time. Even while he
was reading the letter, a voice was
telling him that ne had known it
was coming. After the first shock
of pain had passed, he sat himself
down and wrote:
Dear Wee: We have had great
happiness together. l have suf-
fered for a long time, because l
knew it had to end. / won't waste
your time arguing in defense of my
ideas; | have some, and cannot give
them up, any more than you can
yours. l wish you every happiness