The Indianapolis times., 1936-05-09

INJURED suddenly: Tonight I eat
even if I go to Jail"
She pulled last years spring coat
and the remnants of a long-suffer-
ing sense of huinor about her and
entered.
The idea-and she'd been brood
ing on 1t since the Automat hs@
swallowed her last few nickels in
the remote hungry history of yes
terday afternoon-was to sit down
at the same table with a young man
who was prosperous looking and
alone and not too hard-boiled.
Not to say, tall, dark and hand
some!" she added under her breath.
HER cautious glance met the
IL young mans faint smile. Had
he. she wondered, already guessed
that il things went smoothly he
would pay her bill2
Waiter! for Heavens sake
hurryl Can't you see I've quite
recovered from that beef pie and
bran muffin of % hours ard eight
minutes ago?
He was waiting for his order,
and that meant that if she hurried
she could finish first and--oh if he
only knew how she was going to
hate saying distressfully, expectant-
]y, Il seem to have lost my purse
|" II only he could just sense
through some sort of telepathy that
ladies must eat, and that she was a
lady, really, though you wouldn't
believe it, would you, tall-dark- and
Handsomely and that she hadn't
lost her purse but had pawned it on
Thirdav for so cents yesterday
morning
TINE fllet mignon had become
Il one with her SOUL and now it
was time to say II seem to have
lost my purse" but her heart was
pumping such surges of frightened
blood to her head that her throat
contracted.
The waiter was presenting the
bill and she was blushing. Finally
she did gasp, "My-my purse!" and
felt shakily in her lap.
She saw the young man smiling
quiet, very amused smile, and re-
sentiment thudded furiously through
her burning veins.
Well, she thought fiercely, what
was the floor waiting for? Why
didn't it perform a gracious open
ing-up-and- d-swallowing act?
But 10! an even greater miracle
was accomplishing itself painlessly.
The waiter, who she realized had
legitimate right to lift jaundiced
eye, at the lost-purSe gag. had
stopped beside her chair. Now he
Strengthened, murmured courteous
ly; Here it is, ma am"
Molly gasped and clutched at
tenuous reality with one hand; at
the purse with the other. The
young man across the table laughed
softly. He knew it wasn't hers, of
course Still-why should he?
MOLLY swallowed, staring at the
4V1 expensive alligator purse;
then she set her lips. oh, thank
you'll" she said to the waiter.
And with a flashing glance of de-
f1ance at the beast across the table,
she opened the clasp coolly-any-
thing to escape the humiliation!-
and handed the waiter bill from
sheaf of several.
Guiltyl Oh-criminall Molly knew
It. but she'd pay it all back: she'd
lind the owner, explain, make things
right :.
Il say, that's good luck. isn't it?"
He was smiling still, leaning toward
her. I'm awfully glad you found it.
It's awkward as hell to lose ones"
But Molly stood up swiftly, and
Without waiting for her change Cor,
whose ever change it wash hurried
lut of the restaurant.
The hotel was in the lower FiftieS
ust of 7th-av. Molly gritted her
eeth when she stepped out of the
Elevator, to keep them from clicking
IKE nervous caStanetS. She looked
gain at the card from the purse
ma pressed the button under 9-B.
a COLORED maid answered the
N door.
IF Miss Gillette is in" Molly
aid, I'D like to see her. I've
ound her purse"
Yesn1, you can"
PLEASE come in" interrupted a
teasant and cheerful feminine
oice across the foyer. A moment |
tier the maid had Mollys coat.
llss Ann Gillette had her purse,
ad Molly had her nerve.
and So" Molly concluded |
lth helpless shrug, I did it. II
as IN spot and the way he was |
oking at me and laughing at me,
o. Ia have shot two policemen.
Instead. all had to do was COM |
~ fraud, misappropriation Of |
nds, drag the waiter into accept
g stolen money, and so on and so
n"
Ann Gillette laughed, and that
ugh told Molly that here VISA a
ster under the skin.
You're perfectly welcome to the
pney,| Ann said carelessly. and |
loed, FOR bringing back the purse.
10 that young man who irked
y so, II ! mistake not, Is the same
Tow who had just finished rous-
my ire. My fiance. In fact; he
s a habit of making girls aneryl
Va Just made me 50 mad walked /