Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-20
INSTALLMENT XVI.

Northeast car. AL q corner OF 0C.
John avenue he got off and rang the
bell of large brick house set high
from the street at the end of flight
of steep concrete steps.
A tall lad of 20, shirtless, sun
Drowned, appeared and greeted him
Familiarity. They sat upon the steps
and the banjo was produced and put
through its PAGES by the doting owner.
1t passed from one to the other several
times, was Strummed experimentaIy
by each, and attention was called to
the famous name adjoining the neck,
the ease of lingering; other highly de-
sirable features in banjodom.
The prospect was intrigued. He
said, what d'you gotta have for It
Paul?"
Here the SaleSmanager launched
into detailed information as to original
cost, regret at the necessity of hqui-
dalton, predictions as to years of serv-
ice yet remaining in the instrument,
and wound up by expressing willing
ness to sacrifice for cash. The figure
named was $35.
The day was won. Paul departed
a few minutes later, banjoless, but
folding a crisp check. He waved at
the figure on the porch above.
Lots aluck with tn band, kid" he
wished.
Thirty minutes later Paul emerged
from an elevator on the eighth floor
of a Walnut street Office building. He
rounded a corner of the corridor and
entered a brokers' Office. A trim,
dusky-eyed girl, standing at couu-
ter talking to two men, looked up
and smiled at him.
Hello, Paul" she greeted him.
Hello. Fay" he said.
"Just a minute she requested.
When the two men had departed
she finished a note on a memo pad.
then turned TO him, her eyes lighting
with interest.
Who's careless?" she exclaimed.
smilingly.
He grinned. "r am" he admitted.
"Where did you find the ring
Her eyes crinkled at the corners
YOU'D never guess" she coiItded
paul. surely YOU weren't tight" She
emphasized her words with little. de-
cLsive gestures-''the ring was on-a
cigar-and the Cigar-waS in the bot
tom Of the ash receiver. 1t was just
luck that we found IT Mother hap
pened to see it VIXEN she emptied
the tray the morning after the paIty."
Fay" he declared, you're a pal"
mo trouble sG all she laughed.
Returning rings is right in my line.
III produce the missin' joolery from
the boss strong box"
She disappeared into the innel Of
flee with flash of form fitting black
satin. When she came back she slid
a ring along the counter. Square-cut
onyx. chip diamonds forming Tyre.
There" she said. "How's that for
integrity in a POOR working girl. It's
been here ever since ! phoned YOU
four months ago-and how could you
be so prompt, Paul?"
The folded her hands and regarded
him severely, then laughed at his
Sobered expression.
1T forgot all about it, Fay" he con-
fessed.. whats the storage charges?"
"Oh-reasonable," she smiled. You
might sing me song on the radio
all about I Don't Know Why Love
You Because You Found My Ring at
the Bottom of an Ash Receiver, But
I Just Do'-you knCW-sometning
can throw out my chest about"
"Okay, Fay" he laughed. Any
Iok
She leaned on the counter and re-
garded him amusedly. I've met your
wife, Paul." she stated. Sue Train
introduced us. Spe's cute. How did
you do it?"
Paul's eyes leaped eagerly He
beamed. I'm still wondering" he
answered.
disappear from sight.
Paul proceeded up the hill on West
Twelfth and turned into a doorway.
In the billiard room above, his eyes
swept the groups of nen that hunged
idly in the seats or followed small
ivory balls around the green-topped
tables. He seemed pleased to note
oI1C dlbA1O OLld1Cn VI WIAAGCy La az
tendance.
Come on, Half Pint. Play you
one game" Paul invited.
mo. Go home 70 your wife"
PLAY you so t. 35."
For a buck?"
'Well-yeah."
Each time Paul shot he took de-
liberate aim, the fingers of bis left
hand spread upon the green cloth.
On the third finger a large ring,
Square-cut onyx with glittering dia-
monds in the form Of a Tyre, invari-
ably drew the eye. Whiteys game
began to get cratic. He seemed to
labor under some mental distraction.
Finally ne set his cue down.
Paul." he said. "Whatl you take
for the ring?"
What ring?" Innocently.
"Aw-you know That one you got
on. TIL one I'VE been tryin' to buy
offa you for coupla years."
Listen, Whitey-for tn luvva
Mike, don't start thar again. I've
told you I can't sell it. Why, that
ring was given to my old man by
SouSa, personally, for flnishin' first
In the finale of the American
PATROL"
Come of, Paul. I'm serious. I
need that ring"
Sorry, son. Too much sentiment
attached to it. Your shot"
Sentiment, my eyel What1l you
take for it, no joshin'?"
I'm surprised at you, Whitley. Don't
you know that persistence denotes bad
breeding. uncouthness, athletes foot
and no telling what else?"
We'll, you're worse, You're OBJ
stinate. Come on, Paul, sell me the
ring. You hardly ever wear it. I
know; watch for it"
Whether I do or don't, little felia,
it's not for sale. So consider the
matter closed. And shoot-you're run
ming up time on U.s."
"Give you 20 bucks for it."
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