The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-15
DELLA

INEARY DELLA uttered a piercing
1V1 scream. Half a dozen other
women more frightened by Mary
Della than by what they saw, cried
out in sympathy.
my Gawd!" Miriam cried out in
loud voice, and clutched at Mary
Della. Its the Red Mask"
There was a scurrying of heavy
feet outside the doorway, and the
next instant the spotlight went out
and the balcony was dark.
Barely thirty seconds later the
hall was flooded with lights again,
and the crowd laughed at the joke.
Her eyes still fastened on the bal
cony, Mary Della saw officer Nc
Weeney and Hayes enter the upper
doorway and look up and. down the
rows of seats on either side. But
there was not a man to be seen in
the balcony.
Jimmy and Joe came up hurried
ly, forgetting their mutual animos-
ity in the excitement.
Somebody turned the lights off, .
Jimmy declared.
"And then put on a Red Mask act
up in the balcony" Joe added.
"And is that supposed to be
news?" Mary Della demanded.
Where do you two think we've
been, out to look at the stars?"
But the cops say that wasn't on
the program" Jimmy was inclined
to take the matter seriously. "They
say some smart guy'll get his beak
pushed in pulling that stuff around
here"
What can't get into my bean,
said Joe, sis how that bird got out
of the balcony so quick. Them two
cops said they got to the door just
as the spotlight went out, and they
blocked the door until the lights
switched on" Joe looked at Jimmy
and Jimmy looked at Joe.
isn't it thrilling, honey?" asked
Miriam. And it wasn't such a bad
joke at that. Everybody's still laugh
ing about it. =. Trot along, Jimmy
boy. Little Miriam's got this dance
with new Romeo. Ta-ta."
Jimmy went off with a shrug
and Miriam turned to Mary Della
II WANT you to meet this boy
Il Mary Della, if he shows up. But
don't try to hog him. Hes my find
and I'm entitled to the gravy"
Forget it," Mary Della replied
"Joe's taking up most of my time
aren't you, Joe?"
Sure" agreed Joe. But this is
my last dance. If you don't want to
go when this ones over, you're out
of luck. Understand"
Perfectly" said Mary Della" and
if you're in hurry, you better &C
now. said I'm staying for the
finish and am. Good night"
What. +. 2"
FLUSH, Joe. :" Miriam gave Joe a
vicious punch. Here he comes
Mary Della. -"
Miriam rose and extended a limp
hand to the approaching Apollo.
"Oh, was it this dance you asked
for?" she inquired sweetly. "Ot
course it was; almost forgot. Here
I want you to meet some friends OF
mine. Mr.. -er-, what did you say
the name WASP"
The young man bowed. "Calk-
man." he said, and smiled at Mary
Della.
"Oh, yes, of course. Mr.. Calkman
meet my friend Miss Chubb-"
Mary Della did not rise. She
nodded, almost imperceptibly hel
eyes fixed on the eyes of the smiling
young man.
And meet Miss Chubb's friend
Mr.. Speaks"
Miriam's Romeo eyed Joe Speaks
coldly.
"Howdy," said Joe.
Delighted, I'm sV said the
young man, and offeN his arm to
Miriam. M
CHAPTER TIVE FY-ONE
"VXTHERE'D Miriam pick up tina
wv wise guy?p Joe demanded a!
Miriam and her Mr.. Calkmar
walked away.
"Joe," said Mary Della, her eye:
following the broad shoulders Of
Miriam's catch, did you n your
wide travels ever run into a gentle
man?"
Meaning him?"
Meaning nobody else, Joe. tt.
written on his face, in his way o.
standing when he's talking to some.
body, in his walk, in the way hs
dances. Look :"
so that's your kind, is it?" Jot
sneered. Maybe that's what's wrone
with me, amt gentleman. Well
you can per this and get it straight
1 wouldn't be a mama's boy like
that for yos; nor nobody else. He's a
wise guy and sissy and if he get
in my way III polish the floor with
him.
Nerep mind about any cracks
rom yot. Mary Della. You got nae