The Washington times., 1932-07-21


call, it seemed, compelled him
to go to a certain hotel. was
to go Immediately to his home,
and his chauffeur would take
me there while he engaged a
cab. He would join me as soon
as he was through.
I tried to argue, but it was no
use. Buddy leaped from his
machine into cab-and was
A short time later-all too
short as it turned out-I was
with Mrs. Jones. I had a
slight suspicion about this
woman, and my suspicion had
been more than correct. She
weighed at least 240 pounds,
and then she was on a diet. I
generally like fat people-but
this one had a thin sense of
humor.
Come right in," she muttered
severely. MY husband told me
about you. You're the writer,
aren'it you? Heard about you,
@but I never read any of your
stuff. Must be pretty bad if
I could never get interested in
/. it. Come right in"
1 swallowed hard and walked
in. After all, was there-and
was a guest. 1t wouldn't be
long before Buddy would be
home and I knew that he would
turn out all right.
Found Visitors
AS I hit the library found
visitors present. Six or seven
of them. I tell them here
and sincerely trust that one
or two of them will read it
that they were the simplest
looking mugs I've ever been un-
fortunate enough to gaze upon.
They gave me a few brief Stares
and turned away. I guess that
one or two of them must have
read me, after all. Otherwise,
how could I account for those
black looks?
will you have a cocktail?"
asked Mrs. Jones.
I frightened.
II might have one, thank
you," I returned. But just
one"
She turned to ! the other
guests by way of response.
Didn't I tell you about
these newspaper men?" she
questioned. Then she turned
to me again. I'm very sorry,
Mr.. Hellinger, but we very
seldom drink in this house. I
only asked you by way of ex-
pertinent. You don't mind, do
you?"
I was on the verge of placing
two fairly strong hands around
her neck and pressing very
firmly. But I restrained my
self.
Hell, no, lady," I replied.
II love it,.
I'm not going to bore you
with the details of that dinner.
1t was absolutely horrible.
There was one rather cute little
servant girl, but that was all.
Nobody tried to make converse
ton. Nobody even tried to
make the maid. It was all
most embarrassing to me.
Buddy Jones never showed
up. My old school chum had
deserted me completely. How
I hated that guy then-and
how I hate him now-can never
be placed on paper. Sufficient
to relate that I regarded him
in the light of a plague. And
in these times the plaques the
thing.
He Takes the Air
After two hours that seemed
like ten, I finally got away.
Don't ask me how did it, be-
cause hate to say. All right,
I'll say it. grabbed my hat
when nobody was looking and
Sneaked from the house. And
if you'd have been in my spot,
you'd have done the same
thing. Only earlier.
You probably know there will
be an ending Of some kind.
Otherwise I would never have
find this one difficult to believe
written the story. Well, you'll
but it's the truth. so help me
Winchell. Shortly after 2
o'clock the following morning,
ran into Buddy Jones as he
was emerging from a speak
easy. He had a blonde on each
arm.
Nice thing you did to me
tonight, you louSe." I said
angrily. What was the big
idea of doing what you did?"
He smiled drunkenly.
You're only kidding, Mark"
he hiccOughed. You're not
sore. Somebody had to shtay
home to keep the wife and
guestSh company and amt
you my pal?"