Evening star., 1933-05-21
A young author
a pretty girl and
---of all hines!---a
bottle Of ketchyp

USSEIL CARTER watched tte 5M
girl opposite him with fascinated s
~ awe. She was eating, he saw, N
N bread ON ketchup. literally that. W
Again he watched the ketch11
ooae . crizlson pool upon hdr
empty plate, only this time she had 90
whack the bottle for even feeble
response. She reached for the tab1e
sauce and began once more to dunk sbt
Of bread.
Russ couldn't stand Il. On the next
table stood . virgin bottle Of ketchup.
Boldly he reached for It, shook q little
on his own potato salad and passed it
over.
Thanks" The girl smiled at Russ.
TIN much obliged" Good Lord! She
was doing 1t again; enough for three
plates of beans, only she had no beans.
you're fond Of ketchup? Som l." Russ
gave himself second helping, showing back
the bottle. Ordinarily he loathed condiments.
"Its much nicer than tomato SOUP don't you
think?"
Much nicer" Her bread, he noticed, was
all gone. She was draining the last drop Of
milk in her glass. Young just . hid. not
more than 20 in spite Of that sophisticated
little hat. Funny how some women look smart
in those pancake things while others look like
monkeys.
Her gloves weren't shabby, nor her shoes.
She was smart appearing everyway; yet here
she was dining on ketchup and bread and q
glass of milk Russell himself was frugal
with corn bread, potato salad and coffee.
Good heavens! She was swiping lump sugar,
at least four Jumps Dressed like that and
purse. He decided against offering his sugar
bowl
In moment she was gone, heels clicking
. brisk tattoo across the tiled noor Russell
would have liked to follow her, but he was
hungry and there was that other corn muffin.
He felt grateful that she had taken his mind
of the irritating problem confronting him.
He'd have to move; that's all there was to
It,. Either the woman who lived above him
would have to get out or he would.
~ Ananias Of janitor had assured him was
the quietest suite IN the house. just when he
had An idea bursting to be put down on paper,
and you know how elusive ideas are, always
running of at tangents once piano lessons
begin tum-tum- -tun, one-two-three, one-and-
two-and, tum-tum -tum!
Frantic? Shed drive him looney. Shed
scare away all his clues, essential and all.
When 1t wasn't piano lessons she sang.
Nov If she sang q song and got through
with,it it wouldn't be 50 bad" Russell grieved.
dmking his muffin IN ketchup and gulping his
entire glass of water. But to below
lo-o-o-ove you!' over and over, using different
combinations Of notes and rhythm, for 20 min
utes at time-that's unendurablei"
No wonder he'd forgotten to plant clue
four! Utterly impervious to pounding on the
steam pipes, that musician. He'd break his
lease and move.
Or, maybe, the thought struck him brightly,
she'd move into different apartment. She
hadn't bpen m When he'd tackled her door
Just before going to lunch He'd try again now,
he decided
Maybe, when he explained he was a writer
and had been promised quiet, she'd see reason
and change her studio, or her hours or some
thing.
So, later on, Russell Carter bounded up
the stairs to the fifth floor and found the
suite directly over his. Two knocks on the door
brought crisp. Wait minute. Who Is 1T,
please?" The door was opened not at all.
This Is Mr.. Carter IN the suite directly
below I wish to speak to you about your
your music"
"Sorry, but can't ask you In, Mr. Carter.
Tm-Tm taking bath. Did you wish to take
music lessons?"
"I do not. wish to state that your piano
annoys me excessively. I'm q writer and"
why don't you mover"
"But I'm leased. was assured Of peace and
quiet. I've come to you instead of complaining
to the management. hoping you might COM
promise and let me have at least four hours
quiet to concentrate In"
"You forget I have my living to make, Mr..
Carter. I'm leased, too, and my pupils all are
used to this address. It would inconvenience
me greatly to change my apartment. CO."
$50 I'd better move? Thanks. You're been
very helpful. Maybe If the other tenants are
also annoyed, as they must be, you will be the
one to move. I'm committing no-no nuisance"
Russell was distinctly furious as he heard q