Evening star., 1934-02-06
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"A nunQreQ ana SlXCy -nlue-lQc.
How about Montgomery Ward?"
Mine cost me a hundred and
twelve"
so did mine"
General Motors?" asked Mr.. Gedge
eagerly.
Say, let's talk Of something else"
said Mr.. Slattery.
For a few moments the two
financiers let their thoughts stray
silently back into the past. Mr.. Slat-
terry sighed. well, I'm mighty glad
to have met you again, Mr.-what was
the name?"
"Gedge j. wellington Gedge. And
I've certainly appreciated meeting you,
Mr.. Slattery. How about coming and
having little drink"
A touch of the old moroseness re-
turned to Mr.. Slatterys manner.
What do you mean, coming and hav-
ing drink? You haven't any money"
Lend me some" said Mr.. Gedge.
1t had been no part Of Mr. Slattery's
plans when he set out that morning
with his gun to fianace his victims,
but there was something so appealing
in the others voice that a sort of
noblesse oblige spirit awoke in him.
He handed over hundred francs.
You couldn't make 1t two hundred,
could you?"
Sure" said Mr.. slattery, though
not very hesc tily.
'I'l tell you what" said Mr.. Gedge,
inspired Give me a level thousand
and then thatll be nice round sum-
Mr.. Slattery peeled mile off his
slender roll, but his manner as he
did so was not vivacious. He seemed
to be wondering what had ever given
him the impression that sticking
/ people up in the street was a sound
/ commercial venture.
/ Seated with his new friend at a
/ table in one of the little cafes near
the harbor, Mr.. Gedge became COM
municative. For many months he had
been yearning for a sympathetic ear
into which to decant his troubles. This
charming safe-blower, he decided,
should hear all
Yes, sir" he said That's how 1t
Is. MY wife has all the money, and
I'm simply the Hey-You around the
place"
Us that SOP"
Yes, sir. The Patsy, that's what I
am. Just the squidge. You wouldn t
be far out II you said I was only q
bird in a gilded cage. Whatever Mrs.
Gedge says goes. I want to live in
California. She insists on coming to
France. Do you think If I had any
money I'd be living in a dump like
the Chateau BliSSac? No, sir. Id
be back in Glendale, where men are
men"
Mr.. Slattery gave a little start.
DO you live at the Chatty-o
Blissac?"
Yes. sir. Right there at the
Chateau BGssac."
Mr.. Slattery chewed his lower lip
thoughtfully. The discovery that this
little man was residing. even If only
in the modest capacity of bird in a
gilded cage. at the house which had
been so much in his day dreams had
stirred him good deal. He cooked an
eye politely.
DO you, now?' he said Well,
wellr'
Yes, sir Mrs Gedee insisted on
renting it. and I wouldn't give you a
nickel for the place. It makes me
sick. And that's not the half of it."
Noe"
NO sir. Do you know what?"
WHAT
you'll never guess"
"What?'
DO you know what she told me-
/ this morning."
! How the heck should I know what
she told you this morning." said Mr..
Slattery, momentary irritation caus-
ing him to deviate from his policy Of
! courtliness DO you think I was
hiding under the bed?"
She told me I've got to be Amer
ican Amba ssador to France"
Mr. Slattery considered this you
won't like that"
Il know darned we'll I won't like it
/ Ambassadors have to wear uniforms
and knickerbockers. the sissies.' -
And cooked hats"
Cooked hats?"
Sure. I've seen them in the news
reels. And they get kissed all the time
by Frenchmen."
! 1t had been Mr.. Gedge's belief until
/ he heard these words that he had
/ explored to their ultimate depths the
! drawbacks to representing his country
IN an ambassadorial capacity He now
! perceived that the last and most
hideous of them had escaped his
notice He sat for a moment paralyzed
Then words poured from him in a
! frenzied tumult
Il won't do it! I just won't do it.
No, sir! III get me a little capital,
enough to start again on, and then
: I'll defy her Yes. sir. that's what I'll
do-defy her. I'm very fond of my
dear wife, but I'll walk right up to
her and defy her. Here's what I'll
say: 'Lookut" III say. I've got