The Washington times., 1932-08-16
CHAPTER "a


address on it in his deSk-he
kept calling for you until
he became exhausted.
What did he say?. What
did he say?"
IT took it down." said
stenographer, as he reached
for her notebook. He kept
calling Blonde. . .Blondie!"
That's your name, isn't it?
He said: Little Blonde hurry,
Pa wants you-don't stay away
from me new. little Blonde
That's just what he said, be-
cause I took it down. L
thought he was going then. -"
Blonde sat perfectly still,
gently petting her fathers
hand, seemingly unable to
speak. Then suddenly she
buried her face in her fathers
lap and burst into tears.
I'm here, Pail. Blondes
here. Pa. -" came her muffled,
sobbing voice. TOO late!"...
Too late!
The first funeral in the Nc
Clune family was over and
the surviving members had re-
turned from the cemetery.
The little flat was depressed
with the hush that always foi'
lows such events, and every
body talked in Subdued tones.
! Il think the blanket of vio-
lets that Mr.. Pratt sent was
the most beautiful floral Gre
alton I've ever seem" eX-
claimed Pete. g. 1T touched
me. and he's never met Pa,
never laid eyes on him."
Blonde turned on him with
quick irritation. "Oh, stop it,
please!"
Pete adjusted the crepe band
on the sleeve Of his checkered
coat and ignored the request.
&C.. and why you instructed it's
removal from the caSket is be-
yond mel"
"Why?. .Why?. Blonde
started to retort, but Cert cut
in.
We'll, what's beyond me-if
you ask, and you haven't
think you're out of your mind,
Blonde, giving up Mr.. Pratt,
and your apartment, and your
limousine. just because poor
old Pa died"
II agree with you, Mrs. Slat-
terly," said Lurline.
Old Pals
ooh, you do, Miss. :" replied
Cert, initiating her grandly.
) "., come out of it, Lottie-
this is Cert"
Yes. .. and I poked you in
the nose once for. -"
You did"
Eyes, I did. :" and Lurline
urned away as Blonde stared
at them DULY.
Blonde walked over to her
mother, who was dabbing a
crumpled handkerchief to her
Redeemed eyes. Mrs. Callahan
was silently trying to comfort
her, patting her gently on the
shoulder.
Il know it won't be easy for
you at first, but I'll let you
have what 1 can from my pay
out of the show. -" began
Blonde. hoping that her mother
would understand.
How much does that work
out. to, Blondie?" her mother
asked anxiously.
Lurline supplied the answer
with a disdainful Shrug.
"About eighty dollars-it's a
pittance-a positive pittance.'
Its more than I used to get
at the store. -" exclaimed
Blonde, quickly.
I'VE had your Pa then" said
her mother. He got thirty
dollars when he worked and
you know he never spent any
thing on himself he'd bring
the check home and hand it to
me. just like that =. remember,
Cert? He was good man,
your Pa"
Don't I know he was good"
cried Blonde, trying hard to
control herself. Then gently,
"Tll be good to you. too, Ma.
But you'll just have to get
along on what I-er-really
earn. 80" Blonde stopped as
her mother began to cry again.
MA I have to-can't you see,
MAJ have to do what Pa
would want me to do" pleaded
Blonde.
ANY post now will bring me
that letter from Hollywood"
said Pete. suddenly, trying to
draw attention to himself. If
land that job for the movies
it'll take me off your hands
did l tell you. about that,
Blondie?"
Blonde deliberately turned
her back on him.
Il wrote a swell detective
yarn in three days" he boasted.
ITS better than Sherlock
Holmes. amt it Gert?"
All There Is
There was an obvious silence,
and the raucous street noises
filled the flat. Blonde turned
, to her mother again.
well, that's all there is
I've got to look out for myself
4 want to marry one of these
days and have kids. ="
"Well, I've got a couple I'll
lend you now!" from Cert.
"Charmine little cherubSI"