The Washington times., 1936-05-11

Ah-but he was so handsome, or
Nell thought he was. He was so
brave-So full of daring imagina-
tons. He was joyous, sweet, mag
netic and he broke her heart with
love Of him and longing-a thou
sand times in the three and a half
years she had dreamed and waited.
Did he love her as she loved him?
But that wasn't a fair question. She
was such q loyal, affectionate,
yearning creature. Ricky was big,
adventurous, free as the man OF a
girls dreams ought to be.
Not his fault the world had gone
to smash and no jobs were to be
had. He would measure up when
any real test was put to him-oh,
surely he would!
She pulled her brief brown beret
to a jaunty angle. She was slight.
appealing thing with red hair and
a white face. But her mouth had
strength.
1t was wide, vivid, ardent; tightly
closed it could be defiant, even
grim. Just now it was all dew and
fire. She was thinking Of Ricky.
This made her glad-alwayS.
She stepped out into an exhilar'
ant April afternoon. One of those
rare, inspired days when sun
sweeps royalty down the Avenue,
the crowd jostles along with new
verve and gay rose clouds fleck a
sky of radiant blue. Gorgeous
world-no matter what! Nell Do
ran swept onward humming q
tune.
Someone caught her arm: some
one said softly, Sweetheart,
hello!"
"Ricky, what's happened?"
Nothing, everything. Something
beautiful I've found to show you"
But you look awfully happy"
why not? Happiness is still
free!"
She stole a second glance at his
face and felt tears suddenly sting
ing here eyes. He was so thin-that
gaunt line about his jaw. He
didn't eat enough. He never had
enough to eat these days. He felt
her scrutiny and was suddenly
plunging a deep, eager, seeking
look into her waiting eyes.
His were so blue, so alive, so
stubborn and gay. She closed hers
against their fire, whispering
vaguely to his shoulder, "Ricky.
you're so handsome; you're grand.
"Oh, you darling fool! Come
on, we're riding on the bus"
Riding? You don't mean to
say you've got a job, do you?"
He jingled coins in his pocket.
Broke into a new career last
night. I'm so good, I'm hired also
for this evening. We've got about
three hours to spend my fortune"
I'VE won't spend single cent?"
every penny Of it goes before
dawn, darling. An offering to the
God Of Luck"
She asked with apprehension,
what is the job?
Tell you later. First we have
our fun"
Ricky's Holiday
SubwayS and overheads were
cheaper, so it was a real lark to
climb to the top, open deck Of the
Fifth Avenue bus. It was delicious
ly warm. He reached for her hand,
which he tucked in the crook Of
his arm. The breeze swept jubi-
liant about their shoulders. They
settled down as though they were
to ride forever.
She wished they were. She felt
contented now; she felt idiotically
happy.
'Ricky?"
"1s there anywhere you wouldn't
go, us two together?"
IT can't think of a single place,
and I hope it's a million mixes
away. Look, we're folding the
crowds under our wheels. Dozens
must be killed by U.S."
Gazing down into the S o'clock
traffic, they saw the milling hun
dredS Sput onward like so many
black, surly SerpentS, then jam and
joStle and become momentarily
still. They were high above them,
kingly in their nonchalance and
freedom.
(TO be continued
Copyright. 1886. by King Features