Evening star., 1934-12-23


and turned to Galvan. Her small face, glow
ing with that strange light, her dark eyes so
large and shining lent her aspect as angelic
as the sound of the carol
So Scarry Gallivan was caught in the spell
of illusion. 1t was wonder to him he had
never known the like before. He lost some of
it, but not all as Nora Doran tipped an apron
over his shoulders.
christmas haircut" he drawled "Done to
sweet music by lady barber and with the
handsome boy gambler for an audience It's
like a show. Somehow feel that way. But in
shows people talk. Do you mind lstenin' to me
some Benny?"
Benny's hard black eyes only gittered from
his stony face
60 right on workin on me-" said Gallivan
heartily as the clck-click paused 1t started
again "You know I hadn't thought anything
about the season till cruised in here. 1t was
only q bitter time to me when was kid.
These other years it was just matter OF run
min RATS of Christmas booze down the Sound
to Butch Boratt.
Last year that was out. I had an honest
job, a new home, and a wonderful girl. She
wanted to be married on Christmas. Or she
did. until
Gallivan paused, to force grin. well" he
said Il went home like Santa Claus, with an
empty sack"
Outside hoarse voice was yammering in
exhortation. The bright spell ebbed from the
shop Gallivan saw it as very much skld
road barber shop, q place where womaniess
men from the camps sought ease from their
hunger for the touch Of feminine hands.
Il wish the boy would sing again" she said.
working on. IF you could know what 1t DID
for me last Christmas. 1 was just like you.
logger. everything gone empty on me- All set
for a wedding trip to San Francisco, and an
other girl made the trip. You'll know how it
hit me when I say started down to the docks
for a finish in bottom water. That gospel truck
stopped me- The boy singing. listened.
heard the bells"
She was silent, under the threat that blazed
from Benny Santer's eyes. The scissors clicked
on jerkly. Gallivan felt the girls hands trem-
bling and he thought he understood He flung
out his left hand and gripped her arm. His
voice rasped:
1T was Benny" he said And could name
the girl. Let's talk straight. What has he on
you?"
Gallivan savagely leaned out tearing the
apron from his neck, scowling at Benny.
Myself, was no good skid road kid,
log pirate rum-runner as bad as any on tide
water But 1 was workin' honest for her, I've
proved my faith by keepin' honest since-ah.
the hell with it. It's talk enough I'm here
to blast you"
Not here" Nora Doran implored. oh not
tonight-listen!'
THE boy was singing again. His voice lifted
miraculously a thin, high note. Even
the roar of the street seemed to pause for 1t.
until the sweet tone whispered away in its
fight to the stars With it Nora Doran drifted
before Scarry Gallivan She was rapt and ex-
allied again, her hands clasped against her
breast.
I'VE must be forgiving." said Nora Doran, In
that vibrant chanting voice. Make an end to
the hard hate in your heart, and welcome 10
the music of forgiveness in your SOUL
She was done, letting him hear the uneartnly
voice soar to the stars.
The hard hot purpose that had brought
Scarry Gallivan here melted apart. 1t welled
to his throat, throbbed in his head
You can CO." spoke Scary Galvan to
Benny Santer and wrenched out Of his throat
the rest that he had to say. Forgiven" he said.
Benny shot the bolt and darted out, but halted
as another figure filled the doorway beside him.
The bottle -Shouldered bouncer from Boratts
peered inside.
"An okay. Benny?" he said.
Benny skipped behind him. Not okay,"
he chirped swiftly recovering. "Jeez, that ape
almost had me- Would Of, if the kid hadn't
pulled her play" He called over Bottle
Shoulders Meet you on the Frisco boat, baby.
if you know what's good for baby
The two vanished. The door slammed.
Scarry Gallvan stared duly at the girl. She
had slumped weakly against another chair.
1T was a play. logger" she said harshly.
THAT sing song used to be my racket. I've
gotta go back to it. With Benny. You'd better
go home"
Timber beast" said Scarry Gallivan, with
twisted smile. so easy can be coaxed to eae
hay But I'd like to know just one thing more.
What can Butch Boratt do to you if you don't
play with Benny?"
Plenty The cops take his orders and my