Evening star., 1935-07-06
JAZZ ~ BAND 1E 7::3x 1$E:S

he welded a long handed brush over
one thick shoulder.
Where the hell you been?" de-
manded Puny.
Paul leaned in the doorway and
surveyed them complacently. "On
business, Son." he answered, indul-
gently. Business that little fat boys
wouldn't understand Now, make it
snappy and get out of there, so a
man can bathe and anoint himself
for his nuptial festivities"
Puny snorted. He resumed his
cleansing motions. "baloney," he re-
torteo. "Nuptial festivities! Oh, heh-
heh. Oh, heh-neh-heh! Pardon my
boisterious, uncontrolled laughter"
"Baloney, huhf" returned Paul,
slipping a hand IN his pocket. We'll,
chuckle this OF, you tub-shaped
clowns"
He held out his hand. In the
palm rested tiny, velvet box, opened,
exposing a slender, satin-bedded, we'd
ding ring, exquisitely wrought and
set with several diminutive diamonds.
Bud and Puny gaped, silenced mo-
mentarily.
Paul." Puny said, hoarsely. "Are
you really gonna do it?"
Am I gonna do it? What do you
think that rings tor? Your taperin
fingers?"
Where did You -aise all the dough,
Paul?" asked Bud. Il mean, for that
ring and the trip to Galveston and
alp"
Paul lighted cigarette and care
lessly blew a cloud OF smoke before
answering. He was enjoying himself
immensely. Then he said, We'll,
you know Bob Trainor has been want
ing that new banjo of mine ever
since bought it. So sold it to him
for ITS cash."
Puny uttered a stricken sound.
"Hells' bells!" ne cried. You just
got it paid for! Three hundred and
ten bucks!"
Paul was unmoveo. They had
never seen him so deliberate. They
gazed at him in wonder, sensing in
him an unsuspec.ed quality.
He vent on: Francis Howardson
owed me SO, and caught him with
wad on him, so got that. Then
soaked my ring for Is and sold my
steel guitar to Jack Brennan for 35.
Then went around to old man Nor
gan and collected Is bucks for les
sons I've been giving his kid"
They stared at him and then at each
other.
Let's see il" they gasped, in unison.
Paul exhibited thick roll of bills,
smiled at them blandly, and continued.
II saw Babe and told him wanted
time off for a couple of weeks, to get
married; and he says okay and gimme
his blessing. Then he asks do 1 need
any money and slips me fifty on ac-
count. I ask him if you guys can get
off from rehearsal this afternoon and
he okays that, too. So it's all Set"
He Strengthened and cast away his
cigarette. Now, show little speed"
he added. This is one day I don't
want to be late. And when you see the
future Mrs. Machanello, you won't
blame me-"
He returned to the bed room, pro-
duced worn travelling bag from the
closet, blew on it to eliminate a layer
Of dust and began opening drawers
Bud and Puny soon joined him, in
various stages of undreSs, and super
intended the packing, occasionally
salvaging some article which they rec
ognized as their own. Bud was now
completely reconciled and bantered
Paul good naturedly about his impend-
ing venture into Weolock.
Puny said little and reclined moodily
on his bed, lis round face set in dis
approval.
Paul's preparations for travel COM
pleted, he bathed, shaved with ex-
treme care and donned new clothes,
purchased only that morning. These
| fitted his tall, well-knit figure without
a wrinkle and he was really clean
cut looking young man when he stood
before his friends for final approval
He looked young and eager and when
he smiled his teeth flashed white
against his dark skin, tanned from
hours on the bathing beaches. Puny
scrutinized him and shook his head
sadly.
At 1870 they left the apartment and
lunched at nearby restaurant. When
they had finished, Bud grasped the
check and bore it triumphantly to the
| cashiers cage This was unprecedented
and Paul and Puny were properly sur
prised
Smart Alec in the crowd" said
Puny.
They entered an adjacent garage
and drove their roadster from its dim
recesSes. As they emerged from the
entrance Paul suddenly ducked his
head and sharply ordered Bud, who
held the wheel, to "step on it," But,