The Washington times., 1927-08-30
Gripping Tale
Of Love and
Thrills
tcontinuea from Fine 200

against an emergency, clutched
closely to her.
What beats me, she observed
plaintiyely, is that you put it
over on me that you were
gentleman"
Never mind about that. Gin
derella. put the same thing
over on ladies', which is harder
and funnier. IL / threw q scare
into you you're even. 1t may be
the first time you've been taken
for 4 wild willow, but it's also the
first time I've been taken for q
charitable institution"
II was taught that gentlemen
were chivalrous," Becky said, look
Ing at Scarlet accusingly.
"Chivalrous." He snickered,
s'To their won kind, maybe. But
when Il comes to little girls they
pick up, it's take 'em and let
,em go, just like anybody. Be.
lieve me kid, If you want to get
along you want to lose those pipe.
dreams. In this world the big
push ID to get something for
nothing, and the sooner you get
In on it the farther you'll so in
the long run"
Becky merely smiled, answering
nothing, Tut long months later,
when love had brushed ner with
wings Of flame and left her with
her wounds; those words returned
TO her with bitter significance.
Meanwhile Scarlet enlarged upon
his grievance.
Whatever my faults" he
claimed, II don't pose or pretend
to be an exception to that rule.
/ don't give away anything that
can be sold or snapped, under
stand? And I'm not in the habit
Of taking girls to dinner and get.
ting nothing but a crack in the
jaw for a reward"
Yours right, it wasn't very
square of me-" Becky came for.
ward, and Scarlet saw to his
establishment that her wide blue
eyes were misted, as IL q veil Of
dreams had crossed them. When
/ was a little kid" she said. Il
used to 60 hungry pretty darn
often. But I had one sure way
Of getting meal paid for, and
with your permission I'll pay for
this one the same way"
w AdL 10 yOu mSdHi VhdS
way?"
''I'l sing for you." said Becky
McCloskey, who. was one day to
hear the braves Of kings and the
! applause of 81 continent.
Scarlet. disappointed, shrugged
his shoulders. But, go on" he
said, patronizingly. do your
Becky sat down the whiskey
bottle and lifted up her chin.
Scarlet, looking at her, saw thin
little girl with q white face and
black straight hair. a girl in a
shabby Taist stained by. streaks
of dye run down off her hat, in
threadbare skirt Of blue serge
that hung down on one side, in
cotton stockings mended above
worn black pumps. And the thin
girl stood there and sang a song
which her name was one day to
make. immortal, song of old Ire
land, simple, sweet. poignant.
She sang-and the song was q
prophecy:
''I know where I'm going,
know who's going with me,
know who l love.
@She liz NSaEas AhuWh VINO II marry
I'll have stockinRa Of silk,
Shoes OF fine green leather,
Combs to buckle my hair
And ring for every finger.
Feather beds are soft
Painted rooms are bonny;
But I'll cave them all
To 80 with my love Johnny.
Some say he's black,
say he's bOnny:
He's the flower of them ell
Ny handsome, coaxing Johnny.
know where nm going.
know who's going with me.
know who love,
But the dear knows who I'll marry"
When she had finished. when
the last soft. clear notes had sub
sided into silence, Scarlet stood
up. Here perhaps both the i'm.
mobility OF his face and the keen.
ness of his perceptions stood
him in good stead, for Scarlet was
terribly excited. The thought Of
Becky McCloskey as a pretty girl
to be kissed and forgotten was
wiped from his mind like chalk
from a slate.
What he saw. standing before
him in frayed stockings and
stained shirtwaist. was a gold
mine. bank of potential millions
in which he planned to have his
share. Wisely, he held back his
enthusiasm, and, after solemn
thinks, asked banteringly whether
Becky really knew whom she
loved. 1t was important that he
should know what ties there were.
II do .. and don't"
Becky replied. with the spell Of
the song still in her eyes and her
voice. Hes real gentleman,
Mr.. Scarlet"
''Call me Dan, Becky"
He's a real gentleman, Dan.
He came into Belongs once. with
q swell lady. his mother. Mrs.
Estabrook 1t is, charge account
No. 366S92. OF course never
met him. but he's my ideal. seer"
Scarlet relaxed, Better put
him out OF your mind, Becky my
girl. Swells don't bring anything
but troubles TO kids like you. You
take life too seriously, that's
what. Got a family?"
Becky's expression hardened.
Nope"
And no dough? No job? No
. prospects,"
'I'll get on all right, sonny.
Don't you worry.
Applesauce. grille, applesauce.
Now listen, and keep your shirt
on. think you've got a voice.
understand? And ! think you've
got a future Becky's eyes
sparkled. Now listen, will you
make bargain with me If
stake your
Becky lowered her eyelids. Her
red lips frightened.
No, won't. None of that,
see2''