Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-09-11
Ralph Tweed Had
Lots of Nerve
BY PAUL FAY
4 X X x%xxxx
20 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
(WNIJ Seryicel

(WNU SerVlcel
THERE was no doubt about it, the
L new clerk, Harold Norwood, was
very attractive to the girls.
But the eyes of one girl at the rib
bon counter were not turned toward
him In admiration and the eyes of one
man at the collar counter were not
gazing at him enviously. For the eyes
of Ralph Tweed and Minnie Webb,
when the customers of Palmer Green
Co. did not compel their attention,
were on no one but each other.
Promptly at 1902 p M Ralph stood
outside the employees entrance wait
ing for Minnie; for eight months and
twelve days he had not missed night
in seeing her home after hours. Usu-
ally Minnie came out at three min
utes after six, but tonight 1t was sew
eral minutes after that time and still
she had not arrived. Finally, he saw
her walk out with group of excited,
chattering girls around her; even at
that distance Ralph could hear refer
ences to the new clerk.
"This afternoon" boosted one,
"while l was In the basement, he took
me over to the fountain and treated
me to a Soda"
"He tipped his hat to me, when he
came In this noon," said another.
HE certainly is not bashful," said
another, "like-well, like Ralph over
there, for instance"
At this, Ralph's face turned dull
red; Minnie bit her lip. She came
over and started to take his arm.
"Hello, Minnie"
The cheerful greeting caused her to
turn; there beside her stood Harold
Norwood.
81 am going up your way" he said.
81 wonder If may have the pleasure
of your company. You know you look
home. | wonder if you are anything
like her. presume so, for she GER
tainly was classy girl"
When the two had gone about a
block Minnie found her tongue. swell,
you've got your nerve right with you,
haven't your"
"You aren't angry with me, are
your" Harold asked smilingly
Minnie threw up her head and
turned little away. She seemed very
stern and yet In the corner Of her eye
furthest from her escort there ap-
peared just little twinkle. Ralph
never dared to compliment her; If he
ever started he began to choke and
cough before he got half way through.
When they reached Minnle's desti-
nation Harold suddenly leaned over
and kissed her lips. Minnie did not
move an eyelash; instead she looked
at him speculatively. Often she had
wondered what 1t was like to be
kissed; often she had encouraged
Ralph to try ii; but that young man
would have thought of kissing a god
dess as soon as her. SO now, the girl
carefully considered 1t she raised her
finger to her mouth and felt her lips.
The following evening Ralph waited
outside, but the night after that he
didn't.
About three weeks later Harold was
bringing Minnie home from moving
picture show few minutes after elev-
en-. They we're passing thick clump
of bushes on a secluded street when
suddenly masked man sprang out
from behind them and pushed q shin
ing revolver against Harold's ribs. The
young mans hands went up like
streak of lightning The assailant
said nothing but crouched against the
bush and put his hand over the others
mouth; for an automobile was speed.
ing toward them. Minnie stood dumb
founded, waiting for her escort to act.
AS the car passed she saw the high.
wayman's head clearly Illuminated;
but all she could see was battered
black hat pulled low over his eyes,
and handkerchief folded diagonally,
so that the corners covered his face.
In that moment of light, however, the
girl noticed that the handkerchief was
silk and that 1t had In the corner
wreath of flowers from garden which
existed only In some overworked i'm.
agination.
When the automobile had passed the
hOldup man noticed Il glitterlng chain
on the girls neck and reached over
to remove IT. for the moment his back
was turned TO Harold. When he
glanced around again he saw that
youth fleeing wildly down the street.
He Immediately gave chase, leaving
Minnie with a scornful twist to her
countenance.
The next noon Minnie ignlshed her
lunch In the employees lunclroom
sooner than any Of her friends She
went to the rack where her coat was
hanging. Over II she found a mans
coat, which she pulled off. But as she
did so. II slipped from her hands and
fell to the floor. When she had re.
placed 1t on the hook, Minnie noticed
at her feet a couple Of articles that
had rolled from one Of the pockets.
She picked them up and examined
them curlOusly One was round
stick that felt somewhat like
clothespln: II was carefully covered,
however, with bright, shiny tlnfoIl.
The other article was u silk handker-
chief and In the corner was a wreath
from garden which existed only In
some overwOrked Imagination. Min.
ME hastily showed them In the pocket
Of the Oyercoat, az she saw Ralph ap-
pronchlng lie took the coat from the
rack and put II on.
At four minutes after six that eve
ming when Ralph emerged from the
employees entrance Of Palmer-Green
Co, lac saw In front OF hlm-Mlnnie.
"IIurry up" she called to him cheer
fully "Do you think cnn wait as