The Indianapolis times., 1930-05-27

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE (Con-
tinued)
Bill Derwin, apparently, was on
guard at the door, and the instant
he laid eyes on Mary Della, preced-
ing Timmy through the door, he
raised his arm and called something
across the hall.
There was frantic activity among
the musicians and in less time than
is required to tell about it, the Or
chestra burst fuorth with Mary
Della" in fox trot time. A single
pair of clapping hands grew into a
rear of applause.
Immediately the whole crowd was
on its feet and surging forward to
pay tribute to the startled and
blushing leading lady Of THE Clock
Shop Checkers"
Timmy, fully as embarrassed as
Mary Della, had sudden desire to
get out of the spotlight. and with
admirable presence of mind slipped
an arm about Mary Della and
danced into the closing circles.
The others followed suit, and
while the dancers deliberately
hemmed in Mary Della and Timmy
so that they we're constantly the
center of the spectacle, the strain
was relieved for the moment.
Then, as the orchestra came to
the chorus of MARY Della" some
one began to sing and the dancers
took up the words in chorus that
must have been heard for blocks
around the park.
pretty Mary Della, walkin' through the
Center;
Lovely Mary Della; Heaven must have sent
Green leather jacket-Don't crowd, please
Green silk frock, just about reach her
Is she 'welI9-weII. I never saw swelIer;
Come on, boys: meet Mary Della"
They sang as if they meant it.,
and when, after the third chorus,
the orchestra gave up from ex-
haustion, the crowd, now in high
spirits, sang it a fourth time, un-
accompanied.
Finally, the last note of Mary
Della died out. But Mary Della
was not to be let off with that.
Brett. climbing to chair, called
to the dancers to form a circle for
an extra special surprise.
Mary Della is going to repeat
"The Clock Shop Clock" number
for us, he cried. "And-just g.
niinute-and when she has finished,
the orchestra will play it again and,
if the floor holds out, we'll all do
a mean Clock Shop Clock Ready,
Mary Della?"
MARY DELLA was far from
WI ready. but there seemed to
be nothing to do but fall in with
Bretts plan. She went to the GEN.
Ter of the floor. smiled at the or
cnestra, and did her stuff.
Click your heels, girls-Raise
your hand
She saw Timmy looking on
proudly and she remembered how
abominably he had been treated in
the review after Brett'S show.
Faithful, reliable, devoted Tim
Now stamp your feet-G-o-o-d
night"
Timmy was still there, still smil-
ing. still watching her every move
ment. But Timmy was only de-
tail in the picture now. Behind
him, scowling, stood Joe Speaks.
~Now you sway-NOw you rock
That's the snappy dance they call the
Clock shop Clock"
She wondered what was in Joe'S
mind, if he would ask to take her
home, if he would have any reason
able explanation for his outrageous
behavior at the policemen'S ball. She
hadn't seen him since. that night,
not even at The Clock Shop Clock
sers."
What a nerve he must have, ex-
pecting her to let him take her home
after that scene in the armo-y! And
Bob had given him a beating after
al his high threats. Had he for
gotten that? Would he take some
unfair means of Squaring things
with Bob If they ever came together
again?
"Tiok! Tock. Tick! Toek.
watch EN- dance. Watch 'em pranee!
watch 'em sway! watch 'em rock.
Don't they do demon Clock shop Ciocks"
They applauded. they howled, they
whistIed. And then they moved on
couple by couple. into the simple
steps of the dance, some with sur
prising ease, others slowly and with
conscious effort. but ali laughing and
enjoying the novelty Of the pro-
gram.
For the next several dances Mary
Della's greatest difficulty was Sc
lecting partners from the good-na-
fured group of young men who
charged down on her at every in
3ermission. Those who accepted
Exaggerated the honor. and those
she was compelled to refuse put in
future bids and went away laugh
Mng.
Tne eighth dance Timmg claimed