Evening star., 1935-04-07

mystic significance. My whole bean was occu-
pied with the thought of the frightful predica-
ment of the girl loved. Contemplating the
chastity outrage which this soul-Iess young
bomdeT was planning, found everything
going black again and had to restore myself
with a couple of doughnuts from the bag
which he had left on the table.
Hazel must be warned, told myself. and
that without delay. Unless steps were taker
promptly through the proper channels, ha
nose was not worth moments purchase. SIX
must be approached Immediately and in.
formed that if the Lord Haversnot for whom
she was beginning to entertain feelings deepa
and warmer than those of ordinary friendship
called at her home and showed signs of trying
to get within arms length of her. it was i'm
pe1ative that she cover up and sidestep. Only
thus could the shapeliest nose in Hollywood
be saved from brutal assault that might
leave 1t slanting permanently sideways.
It was a moment for swift action. An
instant later. my leg was over the sill. and
a couple of minutes after that was tooling
down Benedict Canyon Drive under my own
steam, headed for Hazel's bijou residence
on Linden. And hadn't gone couple of
blocks. by Jove, when was arrested by a
'Heyv IN my rear, and turned to see figure
in grey suit and powdeT-blue socks.
For one brief moment had the idea that
the voice of Conscience must have been
whispering in the little perisheT's ear, causing
him to abandon his foul project. Such. how
ever, was not the case.
Suddenly remembered" !" he said, that I
don't know Hazel Jme's address. Where do
find this beasel, buddy2"
I eyed him with all the cold loathing at
my disposal. was revolted to the core.
That he should expect me, who had told him
that loved this woman, to sit in with him
on his loathsome program of giving her a
poke in the nose struck me as being about
as near the outer rim as you could get.
Il decline to say"
"Ah, come on"
mo! My lips are sealed"
His brow darkened. I had never realized
before what an ugly brute ! looked when
peeved.
You'd best come clean" he said, produc-
ing an all-day sucker and licking it in q
menacing manner.
Il will do no such dashed thing"
Suppose poke YOU in the nose2"
Il defy you."
He sneered visibly.
Tough, eh9 What could you do, If did2"
Il could yell for assistance" pointed
down the road. I'VE are not alone. Cast an
eye on that boy over there by the,lamp post.
One sl0eh from you. one yell from me, and
of, no doubt, like the wind he will be bound
ing to fetch the local police force"
My words appeared to battle him less than
had hoped and expected. About now, It
seemed to me, he ought to have been looking
fairly thwarted, but he wasn't. He was
smiling in nasty way, as have seen fellows
smile at the bridge table when producing the
unexpected trump.
Friend of yows1" he asked. curling my
mustache cynically.
NO." Isaid. II have never seen him before.
But have little doubt that be u animated
by sense Of civic spirit and viii rally round
in the event of any sloshing."
"Husky-looling guy"
Ihad not examined the boy closely up to
this point. but now did 50. and l agreed
with him.
YES" said. He seems robust"
He is. Listen, shall I tell you something1'
DO"
He smiled unpleasantly and ate six marsh-
naIlows.
Il WILL" he said. Before little Teddy
Flower became the Idol of American Mother.
hood, a kid called Tommy Murphy had the
job. He was sitting on top of the world. His
pictures used to gross million. And then !
came along. and he dropped into the discard.
Nobody needed him any more. and he
didn't get his contract renewed, and it made
q