Evening star., 1932-09-04

"'HcLo, Stoeetnessi'' he called.
softneSs of his body soothed her, as it never
failed to do and as she laid him on the bed
again, she began to think that she had been
a little silly. Ed had been silly too. He got
mad so easily She laughed aloud as she re-
membered his sentiments about Mr. johnson,
and she hummed a tune she set about
getting supper.
Presently something made her look out of
the window. though sound to be heard
but the wind in the pines. vehicle of some
sort was coming along the ribbon of road
which wound up the HILL though it so far
of it was only as big as a speck. Watching it
drawing nearer. she could see it sway from
side to side as the wheels hit frozen rut or
struck a stone. All at once she turned from
the window, and, going into the bed rooms, took
a bit of blue ribbon out of the drawer of the
bureau and tied it around her dark curs. AS
she surveyed herself in the dingy glass she
had to admit that the effect was all that she
could have desired. Her eyes looked bluer in
contrast. Her cheeks were flushed. She look
ed-pretty.
THERE was a groaning of brakes, a dilapi-
dated f1ivver drew up at the door and a
man jumped out He seemed to possess a fond
ness for color for he was arrayed in a checked
suit, yellow shoes, and above the collar of his
seen.
Hello, Sweetness!" he called as Ruth opened
the door You look good enough to eati" and
he came in, rubbing his cold hands.
How DIDO Mr.. Johnson" she said little
primly. "set down." and she pushed forward
a chair
"Mr. Johnson!" he calculated with disgust
Didn't tell you to say Bill"
Set down, Bill" she brought out with an
effort, her face pink
That's better" he remarked with satisfac-
ton. seating himself comfortably before the
stove and elevating his feet to toast on the
edge of the CRATE. "Darned If don't wonder
how you've lived all your life! You look
scared to death sometimes at things I say
to you"
II am scarf" she said Slowly you're So
funny"
He threw back his head and laughed loudly
with utter enjoyment.
That's good one!" he said at last. Here
I hand out compliments to you and you say
I'm funny! Plenty of danes in New York d
give their eyes to have me call them sweetness"
Tell me about it, she exclaimed eagerly.
Bout the grls?"
mo. the city"
well it's grand little burg" he said, tilt
ing back comfortably in his chair. You ought
to see the lights and the crowds. And the
buildings -darned if they wouldn't make these
mountaines look like pikers!"
Are they that high?" she queried 81
wouldn't like emf
oh yes, you would. That is with along
to show you all there is to see.' he remarked
with complacency. Gosh, wouldn't like to
give you a peep at real life! First off I'd buy
you a dress. Silk like this one" He pulled
catalog from his pocket entitled Emporium
Worldwide Mail Order House. Everything for
Farm and Home and turned the pages until
he came to what he wanted. See, only
s5.98. Guess you'd look pretty nifty in it, tool"
Guess would" she said, leaning his
shoulder, her eyes like stars. Go on"
We'll, after you'd got all dolled up. I'd take
you to a swell joint know of to eat in. Then
we'd go somewheres to dance"
I'D like that!" she exclaimed clasping her
hands in ectasy Gee! Lights an music an
f1owers-an'-an'-gee I'd die ef'n could see
it Jest oncet"
you won't find any flowers to speak of in
New York." he said with superior knowledge.
Least not out of the stores you won't and they
cost mint of money. When you want to
please dame you Euy her flowers and jools.
Say! That reminds me-"
He pulled q little box from his pocket.
See what brought for you' and he held up
string of blue glass beads. Just your color!"
She drew deep breath
Like EN-" she stammered But I
handt ought. Maybe Ed
"Rats" he broke in Don't tell him where
they came from. I'll put EN- for you. Turn
around"