Evening star., 1935-07-18
INSTALLMENT XIV.

Ine VlOIaIiOIlS Oh noNSr-CAdusSo
needle.
Paul sat up and lighted cigarette
The interval had served to clear his
mind, to Danish his momentary waver-
ing, to strengthen his suspicion Of
if1sincerity behind Jessie's plea. His
clinging conviction that her threats
had never been genuine, that, given
time, her sense Of fair play would stay
her hand, prompted him to move for
q continuance.
"Jess," he said, It'll make a bargain
with you. I'm not afraid to tell Ina
about you But that isn't your only
end in view. You're out to break us
up-one way or another. Deep down
in your heart-you know that you're
wrong. I'm sure of that"
He paused and dropped the cigarette
through a crack in the boards of the
pier.
Let it ride till Ina's girl friend
Games back from California" he went
on. Then, if you still feel the same
way-why, I'll tell her. But I don't
you're squarer than that"
His voice died away. The girl
turned her head toward him. Paul, u
she said quietly, you've never un-
derstood me III wait. Ill let
you alone, If that's what you want.
Butt won't change can't"
Paul squinted at the moon and there
was satisfaction In his face. He con-
graduated himself upon the postpone
ment gained-felt disposed to be
generous.
"Okay, Jess. I'll. stay over for
Freddy's party Monday night If you
want me to. just this once. Now,
let's 60 get a drink"
He stood up and helped her to her
feet. She held his arms around her
for moment.
will you-hate me, for this, Hot
Shot?" she asked haltingly.
He shook his head vaguely, word
less. Both suddenly turned their
heads toward the shore instinctively
Two figures paused at the end of the
pier and regarded them with interest.
"Ah, Miss Grant," remarked the
short, thick-set one, chubby hands
folded dramatically before him. What
a night for love! That stars! Those
moon! On such night did Leander
swim the Hellspont, using a modified
Australian crawl and clipping two
flfths of a second from the record
Il don't know" observed the lady
addressed. did he?"
He pretended to pluck the strings
OF a guitar and sang Justify:
"Row-w-rnanSse Row-man-
ese!"
Go neck a crocodile" suggested
Jessie, briefly.
Puny pretended to discover them on
the pier Whats this?" he beamed.
''Hah-Miss Grant, we have unwit-
tingly blundered upon the typist of two
whose hearts beat as one-two souls
in synchronization-tw spirits of
unlimitation. A pretty picture, truly.
I shall entreat forgiveness"
He advanced onto the pier, arms
outstretched. He peered into their
faces, owlishly. why, Jessica!" he
cried. "And, Paul! Children! How
thr-r-illing! Not a word now-not a
word. I understand perfectly"
He winked elaborately, an exag-
gerated smirk on his round face.
They regarded him in annoyance, a
fact that he recognized and enjoyed
in satanic glee.
He gushed on. "You must pardon
our thoughtless intrusion, but as I
remarked to Miss Grant only mo-
ment ago, what a canvas this would
make. What a canvas! Pair on
Pier y know. The fair, fragile maid;
the stalwart youth"
The masterpiece was never signed.
The critic was suddenly lifted bodily,
held for a moment over watery vast
ness and dropped. There was a shrek
of dismay and a resounding splash.
Paul gazed coolly over the edge OF the
pier.
"How's the Hellespont?" he in
quired.
Back in their rooms at the hotel
Paul and Bud disrobed slowly with
many yawns. The light out, Paul re-
marked into the darkness:
I'm not going back In the bus,
Bud. Babe and are goin' to st.
Louis Monday on some business for
the union, so We won't get back to
town till Tuesday. Savee?"
Bud grunted. In a pigs eye, you
are" he retorted. Babe and you!
That's a hot one. You mean-Baby
and you"
"Oh-have it your own way. Seems
as though Freddy and the outfit are
lined up for a whing ding in Spring
field Monday night. I'm invited and I
can't very well refuse. So I wish you'd
tell Ina"
Huh! Not me. I'm not carrying
lies for anybody-and get that!"
There was silence for a minute.
Bud breathed Indignantly.
Listen, Bud" began Paul. His
voice held the firm infection OF one
whose mind is made up. Il can phone
her, as far as that is concerned, but
Sue is sure to ask why I didn't get
back and you know how women are"
whats the lowdown, Paul? That
whitewood dame got you on the
spot?"
Paul hesitated. His eyes were hard
as he gazed at the patch OF white
that marked a window. When he an
swered his voice was deliberate.
"He,l-nol I'm Just having few
final filings before chuckfn' the noise
that's ALL
"All right, then. Peddle your own
les
what are you going to tell 'em if
It's brought up?"
'I'll tell 'em to ask you"
"You're a pail" Sarcastically.
Bud twisted onto his back in o
spasmodic flop, during which the
bed seemed to hover on the verge Of
collapse. Settled, he sighed content-
edly, hands folded under his head.
"Pal or no pal" he answered,
quietly. Here's where draw the
line. It's a yellow trick on a white,
little girl an I'll have nothin' to do
with it. Furthermore. hope she gets
the goods on you-plenty-an' them's