Evening star., 1932-05-08


Rogan seemed impressed. He asked seversi
questions, which Benny answered with a snap
of conviction. At last the city editor said:
Call me back in 20 minutes. I want to talk
to the managing editor
When Benny called the Office again he was
switched to the managing editor, who wanted
to know what it was all about. He seriously
suspected something problematical-case of
love at first sight
Benny disabused that suspicion with real pro-
fessional analysis. He convinced the big shot"
of the Office that this proposition would be
one of the biggest circulation master strokes
ever swung in a metropolitan newspaper Office.
Bring her in. I'd like to have talk with
her." said the managing editor.
Benny won-and lost the column.
Benny was in love- And Benny knew it.
Ruth knew it, too and it did not take her
long. secretly, to reciprocate.
Ruths flight on Pegasus was a whiz Such
a layout that story was given. All the other
afternoon papers gave it a big display in later
editions-so did the morning papers the fol-
lowing day. Ruth's picture and the miser's
also absorbed a lot Of printers ink.
All this, Of course. was what the managing
editor wanted. An ad for the new columnist.
1t was a whale Of story. full Of human
interest detail of how Ruth had made a
human being out of a miser"
She was big success as cofumnist from
daily turning out copy. But in the last
analysis all the copy was Ruth's Benny know
how to suggest without saying the thing itself.
He was her subtle inspiration. Benny was
really inspired And he happy at finding
this outlet for his poetic urge-Ruth's column,
and Ruth.
For three months the affair went along
thus, and still Benny did not propose. But
Ruth knew, If she knew anything in the world,
that he would propose. He had told her this
many times with his eyes, and she had said
"yes" just as often optically
For some time she could not figure out what
1t was that held him back They had become
acquainted so rapidly, had barred their souls
to each other so eagerly in their work, that
the conventionality of months of courtshp
appeared unnecessary. There was one excep-
ton. however. to this barring of souls Benny
wanted to marry the girl. but his parents were
not wealthy and he did not want to marry a
million dollars. This was his secret
The problem troubled him, and in spite of
his efforts to keep his secret deep and dark
he could not prevent its shadowing his coun-
tenance now and then. Ruth studied the
shadow. also secretly. and after a while con-
jectured its meaning
But how to dispel it in a manner betting
the delicacy Of the situation was q puzzling
question At last she decided she would have
to make an effort, but Benny rescued her from
bahC cAiDai A0SSAhcit ailu pOsSiDic udW In neT
ingenuity by himself concluded that he must
surrender to the million
Ruth" he said one evening, I've told you
more than once that there was no muse on
the Merchant Tower, and believe I've limited
that I was trying to find out what was there
Well. found out"
How mysterious you are" said Ruth eagerly
What did you find up on the Merchant
Tower?"
We'll" answered Benny slowly. ct found
your Pegasus. But at the same time had a
real suspicion who was your hoStler who rode
him up there and hitched him"
PUTH gazed in some perplexity at her column
" instructor. but waited silently for him to
continue. He did:
1T was a mischievous little Spendthrift
shooting his darts in most prodigal manre-
all over the world. I saw him poised on the
tower with his bow and arrow, aiming his shaft
right at me. I made no effort to get out of its
way, you may be sure and he sent the arrow
right through my heart Then he aimed ar
other at you as you glided down, gripping the
winged steed's golden bride. I couldn't see
just where the arrow struck, but I'm asking
you now, Ruth, was Cupid's aim good?"
He had her hand in his, and she let it rest
there
That's a very pretty conceit Of yours
Benny" she said. But in view of all you've
said about there being muse top of a
lofty business skyscrsper, why did you put
Cupid up there?"
"Oh. that's simple" he replied, holding her
hand bit tighter. Business may kill poetry
but it can't kin love. I like to picture every
young man putting Cupid up a business sky
scraper as he looks forward to earning a mil
lion for the girl he loYes."
But how about the girl that already has a
miliion?"
Benny's cloud shadowed his face so darky
that, If there had been any doubt in her mind
as to the meaning of the other shadows she
had seen there, none existed now.
Don't be downhearted" she hastened to re-