Evening star., 1933-09-01
INSTALLMENT XIX.


-OMMY was so vastly relieved that
he had a job he almost forgot
how hungry he was. That night
he slept fitfully. He was glad
his shaving cream had held out.
There was just enough to give MIN
decent shave in the morning.
It pained him to think he'd have to
put his pride in his pocket and ask for
q small advance on his salary to take
care of minor details When he went
downstairs he found final notice in
his mail box. He must pay his rent
or else But when he explained he was
going to work that morning he was
given few days grace
The walk to Barbecue Charles just
about tuckered Tommy out. For sew
eral days there had been no gas for his
asthmatic old car. When Charlie saw
how pale and weak-looking Tommy was
he knew instantly that he hadn't eaten.
He was soft-hearted proprietor. So
he said off-handedly when Tommy ap-
peared in apron and cap:
You haven't had your breakfast yet'
have you?"
"N-no" Tommy decided to tell the
truth.
Help yourself. You'll be able to
work harder on a full stomach. Eat
anything you like. That's understood
here. I don't starve my help"
Thanks" Tommy grinned gratefully.
He was sure he could eat Barbecue
Charlie out Of business. But he was
amazed to find that orange juice and
toast and coffee filled him so full it
made him little i'll. He'd have to go
easy, sure enough. The doctor was
right about that.
Mary and Freckle ate breakfast at
noon on Sunday. Freckle saw that
Mary seemed i'll at ease, and her mind
didn't seem to be on anything she was
doing. 1t made her wonder what had
happened. She wished Curt Little
would call her again and she could find
out how things were progressing.
Half the night Freckle had lain
awake worrying about Tommy. 1t
seemed so cruel not to bring him and
Mary together when he was having
such trouble But Tommy had acted
very foolish. And Mary seemed to be
taking real interest in Curt Little.
Perhaps she had fallen in love with
him as he had with her. Maybe that
accounted for her strange actions since
the night of the party.
Freckle had noticed that Mary acted
strangely excited after she and Curt
had come back from the garden before
the dinner party Had Curt told her
he loved her then? 1t was hard not
to ask questions. And Mary was not
a girl who confided her Secrets-even
to her best friend. Freckle knew if
she tried to pry into Mary's business
she would receive naughty little re-
buff. Well, blabbing your private af-
fairs wasn't very wise. She wished she
had Mary'S sense.
No. F'reckle couldn't tell Mary that
Tommy had been there and tainted
all over the living room the day be-
fore. And she'd promised not to tell
he was hash singing" at Barbecue
Charles. She couldn't betray Curt
Little either.
Even if ne hadn't handed. out the
inducement OF a big job in a picture
and $4,000 If she'd keep Tommy from
Mary. That was silly position to
find herself in. Saving man from
starving-and really proving yourself
his best friend. After taking on the
job of breaking up his love affair. Not
such a pleasant job, either. Freckle
sighed and tried to stop thinking
about it.
Curt called to take Mary for a ride
hate in the afternoon. Freckle ran from
the bed room into the hall to ask Mary
II she would be home for dinner-and
saw something that sent her back into
the living room to throw a cushion
into the air with joy.
Mary had put her arms around Curtis
neck and he had kissed her They
both jumped when Freckle appeared in
the doorway. But she was not an
actress for nothing. There was not the
slightest sign in her face that she had
seen. But Curt knew Freckle had And
over Mary's shoulder he gave her a
fraternal little wink. They were part
ners in crime. 1t was his way of tell
ing her that their little plot was sue
ceeding
That removed all twinge of con-
science from Freckle for the time being.
Mary was in love with Curt-surely.
She was not the sort of girl who went
around kissing men promiScuouSly. Poor
Tommy! 1t would hurt him terribly
for little while. But men got over
those things easier than women. There
we're always so many other women
Tommy was so handsome almost any
girl would leave her happy home for
him
When Curt and Mary got into his
open roadster Mary took the ruby from
her bag and slipped it on her finger.
II just must wear it this afternoon,
Curt. It's SO beautiful. You don't
mind-do you?"
He smiled down at her humoringly.
"Bless your heart, no, honey. Do you
like your engagement ring?"
TITS the most beautiful thing I've
ever seen" She put the gorgeous
blood-red Jewel to her face, then kissed
It tenderly. "It seems almost alive"
I'll buy you loads and loads Of
them-all you want-when we are mar
ried," he promised untruthfully. And
1t made him decidedly uncomfortable
when Mary said childishly:
"You-you don't think I'm marrying
you for your money, do you, Curt?"
He almost stopped the car in his sur
prise. But he forced as tender a smile
as he could: