Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-06-14

tothah gals gifts him"
"They can have him if they want
him: I don't. amt seen nobody
in Norrisburg that can give me the
things I want"
"Yore Jest a little fool, that's what
YOU is. Round here tryin' to put on
airs an tn rags mighty nigh whip
pin you to death"
THAT'S all right. I amt gonna be
wearin' 'em much longer. I'm gonna
be somebody, I am"
"You lint gonna be a blessed
thing!" her mother exploded. rms
whole family amt nuthin', these col,
ored folks around heah amt nuthn
and you amt gonna be nuthln.
What you need is some sense"
The two women. mother ana
daughter, glared balefully at each
other across the little dingy, odorl-
ferrous kitchen. while old man Nasn'
sitting bv the stove with an old, tai
tered travel magazine open on MS
knees, devoured the printed page. ne
was paying no attention 10 Inc argq-
ment. He had heard it before. ne
Verna, he had wanted to be some
thing. but he Just hadn't had the
energy and now he felt that it was
too late. a.,
and Dick Colvin entered. A strik-
ing youth if there ever was one.
Neariy six feet tall, smooth black,
strong. wistful and always seemingly
in at ease. Tonight he was dressed
in what he called his Sunday clothes,
a shiny blue serge suit. an ancient
fedora. tan shoes and a perfectly I'M
possible shirt with a garish necktle
to match. With all of his solemnity
and rather panied dignity he resem-
bled tonight cross between a car
toon and a low comedian. -,
"Hello!" he greeted them. with a
Door attempt at breeziness. HOW
is you all tonight?" -,
dKinda Proctomedium," said OLD
man Nash. using one of the numerous
words of his own invention.
"So-So." replied old lady Nash,
smiling and at the same time cutting
reproving and urgent glance at
"Aii right" said Verna Indifferent
". "I'll be ready in minute.
Dick Presses His Suit
Dick seated himself uncomfortably
on the edge of the only other CHAIR
in the room and waited. He looked
around approvingly AS he had never
seen anything better, the Nash Kitchen
with its dirty dishes. flies and boiling
clothes looked honey to him. He
thought of himself sitting by the
stove like Mr.. Nash while Verna pre-
pared his evening meal. and ne
heaved a heavy sigh that made the
imitation diamond stickpin he had
bought of a travelling peddler, sparkle
and flash.
Lets CO." Verna commanded, COM
ing from her room arrayed in her
best, which was far from being good
enough to clothe her oueenliness. It's
gettin' late.
Dick rose obediently and they went
out, Mr.. and Mrs. Nash gazing after
them approvingly.
At the moving picture show DICK
Colvin decided to press his suit with
Verna. He couldn't, he felt. go on
this way any longer. The girls IN
difference was making MN insane.
He was helpless in her hands and she
gave not the slightest hint Of en-
couragement. She wouldn't let him
touch her, careSs her or kiss her. 1t
was awful.
The picture reeled off and Verna
Illustrated in thoughts Of herself llv-
ing in such surroundings as were de-
picted, and wearing gowns such as
those that adorned the svelte forms
of the pampered beauties OF the
cinema. There was the life she
wanted. She paid no attention to at
temptS of Dick to be affectionate.
On the long walk home. Dick
steeled himself for the final ordeal.
He could, he felt. no longer look at
this glorious creature without calling
her his own. Verna felt something
of his intensity, silent but apparent;
"Verna. I want you to marry mel
he almost shouted. as the new moon
glided from behind white tuft OF
cloud. IT love you SO, Verna. l
dunno how I kin live without you,
gal. Won't you marry me?"
"What for?" she asked. coldly,
haughtily. .
why. what do you mean?"
"Jest what I said. What I wanna
marry you for. Dick Colvin? what
kin you give me?"
81 kin give yuh a home" =.
I'm Billy Goat Lane, 1 suppose"
she replied sarcastically.
"Well, that's where yore hVn now
aThat's lust it, Dick Colvin. amt