The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-03-13
CHAPTER VII
How the Plot Worked Out


The simple, but really rather thrill
ing one-act play which had its only
performance at a few minutes past
five that afternoon In the concourse
Of the Union station, paid no royal
ties to the stark screen drama which
was being exposed six times daily in
the little movie theater.
The theft Of that plot was the only
crime that Martin had to commit that
day. Strictly speaking there was no
audience, for Martin did not dare come
close enough to hear the lines, and
Babe Jennings, who heard everything,
was herself one of the important
actors.
Babe had undertaken the part,
though at short notice, with enthusi-
asm, once she'd convinced herself that
Martin had not gone suddenly mad
and after she had got the main lines
of the scenario through her head. She
had dashed out to the studio in taxi
all expenses were guaranteed by
Martin-and, thanking goodness that
Rhoda wasn't there to have his mes
sages passed on to her, made toilet
as much like million dollars as her
street things ran to.
Her major resplendencies were cal
culated for the evening, Of course, but
even in her lesser glory she looked
good to Max Lewis when he caught
sight Of her in the station-goOd
enough to be going to Hollywood. He
told her that while he sentimentally
prolonged their handshake.
Her answer to this remark about
Hollywood was that she was headed
for better place than that. She was
starting off on the limited to the big
town. She burst into raptures about
her trip. "What are you looking so
funny about?" she concluded, closing
in on her victim. "Are you going to
hate to lose me as much as that?"
I'm not going to lose you at ALL
Max told her. "That's the joke. I'm
going to New York on the limited,
myself. What car are you in? Let's
see your ticket"
Babe cheerfully gave credit to Mar
tin that this property was in place.
She'd never have thought Of the de-
tail herself. She opened her handbag
and got out one of those railway en-
velopes that they enclose tickets in.
1t had some stufing in it too. But it.
didn't require to be- opened, for on
the face of it was written in indeli-
ncr,lx, 0y,io fr,off
5:30-Car 40S. Lower TO-"
She held it out for him to see with
out, however, letting go Of 1t. Lets
see yours" she said excitedly.
He got similar envelope out of
his breast pocket, but 1t had no car
and berth numbers written on 1t and
he had to get out his pullman tickets
for look. She saw that he had
trunk check in the envelope.
"Why, Max" she cried. with
squeal Of excitement. 'we're in the
same car! Look-408! Can you
beat it?" lE
"I'll tell the world you can't" he
proclaimed enthusiastically. "Look
here, Babe, what do you say? Can
swap my lower for the upper in your
section?''
SWELL" she told him judicially, "you
never can tell till you try"
Out Of corner of her eye Babe
thought she saw where woman stood
watching them. MAX" she said, sharp
and low, "is that your wife looking
at us?'
"Wife" he echoed. "Say, Babe,
where do you get that stuff?"
But he looked, and she, looking up
at him, saw his face drain to the
color of an unbaked pie. The woman
swept down upon them and stood
glaring from one to the other.
"'Babe,' eh?" she said with fero-
cious grin. II thought So"
She didn't say it very loud, though.
Evidently she didn't care about at
tracing a crowd. herself.
"You yellow dogl" she went on to
address Max. "Trying to double
cross me, were you, and get away with
a skirt? Well, you aren't smart enough,
see? Give me the check of that trunk"
81 tell you there wasn't any trunk"
he asserted frantically. IT went to
find it and I couldn't. 1t wasn't there"
Look here" Babe struck in. 1--WE
had enough of this. Sorry to get you
in dutch, Max. Goodby."
She made as If to move off toward
the gate, then darted back to him.
crowding In front Of the woman as
she did so.
"Gosh," she painted, 'I almost for
got Give me my ticket"
He swallowed hard and said, 'your
ticket?"
She fiickered wink at him. "Don't
you remember? gave It to you when
you checked my trunk. Why, you've
got 1t right in your hand"
ITO RE CONTINIIEDN