Evening star., 1934-08-05

old Depression's funeral procession and sing
anything, but SING It's singing that VIII keep
him dead-'the devil never bothers anybody
who is singing.
Ready for any diversion they formed the
funeral procession. singing and marching
around the salon. Doggedly. Splits increased
the marching tempo until the merriment mood,
abetted by confetti and favor horns, was
heightened to thunderous sound.
Hawkes. watching for the prearranged signal,
regarded him quizzically. Splits had turned
dignified dinner into a wild wake and accom-
plished nothing. Then as suddenly ne saw
him leap from the orchestra chair and follow
Mrs wareham.
Splits had guessed rightly that carnival thun-
der would call for more of the white lightning
ON the sideboard with your permisson?" He
filed Mrs. Wareham's glass, gesturing for
silence.
what is it?" her tone was as icy as her
hand.
THE police-theyre coming at midnight,
to search the guests for a-Persian jewell"
How intrigufng!" She drained her glass
MRS. Hunt doesn't know, should we-ten
her?"
How dumb to trouble her, until her guests
suffer such an INSULT" The coarse infection
split the woman's veneer as parching sun
the green earth.
Papa Staining beating time with two red
roses, danced up to Mrs. Wareham. Come
on, sing"
"Oh walt, please, I've cut my finger. Let
me bandage it." The stem of her glass was
broken in half.
spiffs saw her enter the library and close
the door Akers was comforting Clare in the
hall Romance nodded Spiff's heartstrings,
while resentment drummed on his dauntesS
determination.
1t lacked 10 minutes of midnight when Mrs.
Wareham, adjusting her heavy blond hair,
again Joined the guests Papa Staining had
just crowned Splits king with the silver soup
tureen.
Above the laughter Mrs Wareham's voice
penetrated his royal hood "Oh, girls let's play
leap year and ask him to dance?" Splits
danced her into the hall-to arrest her. AT
the door her hand left his arm and slipped
into his coat pocket Swiftly his own closed
like wise over her wrist. With cry she
stepped back. The soup tureen dropped over
his eyes and they colided with chair. Splits
vse-hold steadied her as the eyer-following
Staining approached. Then, one hand guard
ing his pocket, he raised the other in the pre-
arranged signal
AS Hawkes. disappeared, Splits bolted through
the revelers and followed, only in time to see
Hawkes. turn excitedly from the han telephone.
''The police-theyre on the way! They've got
tip the crooks here"
Harry, looks this it? She put it in my
pocket" Splits held up a Persian pendant, set
with superb rubies.
Hawkes. paled- Splits" agitatedly, they'll
mot on your life, Where are the mems
wraps?"
what are you going to do?" as they sped up
the hall
plant it on Papai Quick, which Is STAN
ning's coat?" To the reception came
sound of police cars speeding up the driveway.
THE buttonsl Let 'em in. Then bring STAN
ming to me-and keep your eye on that woman"
IA fHEN Hawkes.. with Staining, again opened
w the door, the Viking clock in the hall
struck midnight.
Can you explain Mr.. Staining, how Mrs.
Hunts jewel got in your pocket?" Spiffs,
pseudo-detective, held cut the gem.
MY pocket" Staining thundered, surprised
out of his lightninged haze. why, you mounte-
bank!" to Splits the entertainer You dare to
IN have you" Choleric rage choked
him. You're nothing but a"
"Detective!" Splits dared "And this amt no
time to get exercise by jumpin' at conclusions.
You'll soon sec"
"Quickl" Hawkes. threw open the guarded
door. "She's-'
q shrek which pierced like lightning the car
nival thunder. Stanning-shocked, sobered-
started for the door, Splits laid gentle, IRON
yised hand his shoulder.
II wouldn't, Mr.. Staining, but if you wish
-" Through the half-closed door they saw
Jordan and three officers struggling with Mrs.
Wareham on the stairs. They're arresting her
She's rock litter"
Splits voice was lost in a storm of applause,
shouts of laughter. approval encouragement
the guests ovation to the woman they believed
staging drama for them.
"Oh. how thrilingi" came woman's treble.
"A charade-Law Arresting Unemployment"
Through o deafening din Of carnival mirth,
the officers half carried the raging resisting
woman along the hall to the entrance and