Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-21

shoe and yet wasn't.
Crooked Bill wished he might have
been privileged to hear what Glenn
Hackett and Roberta were saying.
However, he was fairly accurate reader
of gesture, facial expression and mods,
so he was assured that Hackett was
proposing marriage to his niece.
It'll be like her to refuse him." he
decided, and him the only real man
I've ever seen on the premises. Shy
on small talk and society chatter, but
a good listener and a speaker of words
worth while when he has something to
say. And for once in his life he's
doing all the talking while Roberta does
the listening. I know that meek, sad,
| resigned bend of her head, while she
tugs at her handkerchief and tries to
appear surprised. She must have admit
ration from men or life is delusion
and a snare! And now she's picked
on victim that's bound to backfire on
her, or I'm no judge of men. Hello!
He's talking too much! He's getting OPP
pressive. Shes finding the going not
to her liking. All! I thought sol"
Crooked Bill drew his hat brim down
over his nose, then he rolled his head
to one side, opened his mouth a little
and commenced to breathe in long, even
respirations. He heard the rapid patter
of Robertas little feet coming up the
tagged walk, almost felt the swish of
her as she passed him and entered the
house. In about five minutes he heard
the firm, leisurely tread of Glenn Hack
EFT following, and was aware presently
that the young man had sat down in a
chair beside him. So he pretended to
sleep on for five minutes, then he
stirred uneasily, gritted his teeth,
sighed, opened his eyes, looked straight
ahead of him at the passion vine and
yawned pleasurably.
We'll, now that you haven't had
your 40 winks," Hackett Observed
quietly, whats your opinion as to what
my next move should be?"
II never cared for riddles" Crooked
Bill protested vigorously.
I've just Tilted Roberta!"
Crooked Bill sat up with the abrupt
ness of a Jack-in-the- which, in all
fairness. he resembled not little.
Shoot me for horSethief!" he ejacu-
lated. with that expression conveying
to Hackett, had that young man not
be / already aware of the formers an
tecedents, the information that old
William BIS voting precinct had not al
ways been Dobbs Ferry, Westchester
County, N. Y. 1t aided and abetted the
charge made by his hat that once upon
vast horizons. Even to the unobservant
few who, in these days of motion pic
lures, might fail to have been i'm
pressed by that hat, Crooked Bills soft.
pliable, leather boots, with his trouser
legs drawn over them, spoke eloquently
of land far beyond the Palisades on
the Jersey shore. Played fast and loose
with you, eh, boy?"
mo. Just tried to-"
$50 you threw the daily over your
pommel and gave her the bust, Ell?
Three cheers for our side"
Cheer to your hearts content. This
poor devil isn't dying" Glenn Hackett
retorted Savagely.
Crooked Bill looked cautiously around
to make certain the door from the We
randa to the living room was closed, for
1t was instinct with him never to make
move until all the conditions were
propltious. II hadn't any idea you two
were engaged, SON."
1--WE weren't, although I think we
| could have been If I had been fool
enough to insist. Bobby likes me ire
mendously. I'm sure of that"
Like is right. doubt if she'll ever
love anybody, but If she should I'm
certain he'll be q married man with a
large family and unavailable from every
point Of view. You interested her, son,
far more than any Of your predecessors,
and I've seen them all come and go. I
reckon that's because you were a mite
harder to land than the others. You
gave her run. However, I sort o.
reckoned that'd be the way when you
first druv up" he added comically.
"She's been expecting me to propose
Tor month, and just a little while ago
I was fool enough to do 1t. She looked
SO Internally proposable today! And
while was doing 1t I looked at her
steadily and noted the triumphant CLINT
in her eyes, and a little self-satiSfied
smile on her lovely lips. Something told
me she was preparing the skids for
me-"
"She was, undoubtedly. I watched
the entire performance from here. I
know the signs, Hackett."
so, no sooner had I popped the ques-
ton and no sooner had she commenced
to assure me that she hadn't remotely
suspected this attachment, than I in
terrupted her and withdrew my propo-
sltlon. l begged her not to think any
more about it,
Crooked Bill was stepped in reveren-
tial awe.
That got her blazing mad" Hackett
continued
ct would anger a sheep" Crooked
Bill agreed. "Roberta's mighty high and
handsome in her ideas"
Il told her it had suddenly occurred
to me that she could never possibly
consider marrying lawyer who grubbed
| for living in the heart of New York S
| financial quarter. told her I was quite
certain that what she was seeking was
knight-errant and I wasn't it. I told
her I'd be the last man In the world
to skewer himself on a spear, like kid
neys en- brochette. for the sake Of a
ladys smile. I told her had suddenly