Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-14

| He strolled insouciantly under the
trees where the automobiles were
parked. Without difficulty he located
the big roadster in which Armistice
and Ermine had come to Everybody
Come Inn. Then, after quick glance
to reassure himself that he was unob-
served, he dropped to one knee beside
the left rear wheel.
From one pocket he produced a
match. With def fingers he unscrew-
ed the valve cap. Gently he pressed
the end OF the match against the valve
and immediately the symphonic Kissing
OF escaping air came to his ears.
Within half minute that particular
tire was absolutely and utterly flat.
Five minutes later the three other tires
were fiat. Then, to make his job
thoroughly artistic, he operated upon
the spare until that, too, was airleSs.
To make security doubly sure, he
then removed a small portion of the
mechanism from each of the valves.
His had been painstaking and thor
ough job. Rather well pleased with
himself, he mounted the drivers seat
OF his own car and rolled downward
He chuckled as he reflected upon the
CONSERVATION with which the truant
couple would greet the sight of the
five exhausted tires.
But even Mr.. Cars most fervent
lmaginingS did not begin to do Justice
to the situation itself.
ArmiStice and Ermine were the last
guests to leave the inn. She entered
the car and he was about to do so
when an obtrusive fatneSs caught his
eye. He swore softly, found the kew
10 MS spare and was fussing with that
when he discovered that it, too, was
minus its normal topography. The
three other discoveries followed rapidly.
rive nat tires: the motorists until
nate nightmare! He expressed himself
grapnlcally and forcefully. Ermine grew
SoneWnat offended at the sulphurous
atmosphere. Her remonstrances met
with sullen disapproval. He negatiyed
violently her idea that they roll in on
the nat tires: it was no part of Arrni-
StlceS plan to ruin set of perfectly
sound castings.
Eventually he had his way. And.
before they had covered the first long
mile OF their weary trek, the noonIit
valley had lost all semblance of ro-
mantle appeal Armistice was ex-
qulsltely profane, Ermine grinaly silent.
Inen her unaccustomed feet flashed
10 her brain an S o S of stern protest
Dull ache set in, followed closely bv
supreme agony.
She was seeing Mr. Jeeters in a new
light. No longer was he the carefree.
happy individual. laughing lightly at
NE. A poor Romeo he, who sacrificed
MS iaoy friend TO save four mere auto
mobile tires. Gideon would have ridden
AlTIRSC HQCJnOC a.
convinced Ermine more and n1ore IF
that fact. And when, shortly after
midnight, they reached home, Ermine
parted from her gentleman friend with
the curtest Of dismiSSals-a few brief
words that made absolutely and utterly
clear to him that, from that moment
on, he was distinctly de trop in her
vicinity
She staggered across the veranda. LET
herseH into the house, breathed q sigh
OF relief, and flung herself across the
PED. Mercless pain stabbed through
Meanwhile at Bud peaglar's place
Gldeon Bass had enjoyed a large and
caretree time: He discovered early in
Ine evening that his skill with the cue
nad not deserted him and that he was
~ unusually 4y ucKy In the drawing of pills
Things came Gideon's way in a most
distinctive fashion. He won game after
game at four bits a head. Twelve
Very. E'A''S'0'e
Gideon was utterly bereft of worr,as
He had forgotten Ernine. foroott teS,
Armistice Jeeters. Wherever thew
were--whatever doing-was no affair ~
MS. He was an enthusiastic member
OF The Don't Worry Club. and he
aplded oy It's tenents. He was hapniIv
CONFIDENT that Julian Carr was on ths
loo. Wonderful man, Julian. Great
cluo. Don't Worry
BET my life 1 don't worry. EIGHT
rock In the side pocket. I cot the
eight PHI. Gimme them money.
HE next day. at the Office, he re-
MY dere Mr.. Bass:
Much as I hates to rite Won this
way, I hereby find myself forced to
ask Tor yore resignation from THE
Don't Worry Club. Was you to remain
a member, l would most problv die J
from overwork. Yrs,
JULIAN CARR,
President"
Gideon stared, aghast at the contents
OF the letter. So this, then, was the
enc. Once again he would be forced
TO impair his own efficiency by WORK.
ing over his affairs.
He felt rather peeved at Julian Carr, |
What right had that gentleman to pre-
c1pitate him from the zenith of con-
tentment to the nadir of worry? He |
seized pencil and paper and commenced |
the Indictment of letter to Mr.. Carr, |
in which he told that gentleman pre-
cisely what he thought.
His frenzy of composition was inter-
rupted by the sudden entrance of Err
mine. She smiled warmly upon him,
and he scarcely noticed that she walked
with a peculiar, lurching gait, as |
though excessively regretful that her
feet were in such close contact with |
the floor. She placed her hand affec-
tionately on his shoulder.
You looks worried, Gideon"
1T is"
"How Gomez"
He raised his eyes to hers. And a
load appeared unaccountably to lift |
from his soul. He seemed to know that
the moment for a showdown had come.
He babe her be seated, and then.
swiftly and concisely, detailed his man
ifold worries, his membership in Julian
Cars Don't Worry Club. and then