The Coolidge examiner., 1937-03-25

size IetullleO, he reasoned, SHe
would have forgotten the incident.
He learned, by devious means, a
few scattered facts about Cecily.
She dominated the houshold.
Since Miss Cecily isn't here, 1 sup
pose we can have corned-beef hash
for luncheon" he heard Miss Park
er remark to Nora as he waited,
respectfully, hat in hand, to drive
her to the village.
Cecily was popular. The telephone
rang and cars filled with young peo-
pie raced in and out of the drive.
Cecily was interested in someone
who did not meet with her fathers
approval. He could scarcely avoid
hearing snatches of a conversation
between Miss Parker and a friend
from neighboring estate. He was
trimming vines outside he living
room window, at the time. and the
neighbor, obligingly, was a little
deaf.
He didn't learn a great deal, how
ever. merely that the object of Geo
ily's interest was artistic. That
might mean anything, of course,
though, later, he heard something
about a summer theater and the
word bohemian" pronounced by
Miss Parker with fastidious dis
taste. He learned, too, that Mr..
Vaughn had forbidden Cecily to
have anything to do with the unde-
sirable young man under pain Of
penalties limited but not detailed.
He reviewed Dolly's references to
mythical rival in the light of the
conversation he had overheard. Was
the "that guy to whom Dolly had
scathingly alluded, the artistic
young man whom Miss Parker had
mentioned? What Cecily sees in
him?" Perhaps he'd better stop in
at the drugstore when in town.
He hadn't seen Dolly since the aft
ernoon of his arrival. He hadn't de-
livered her message to Tommy. The
storm breaking at twilight had cam
celed its Importance. He had an
idea that Dolly would not be offend
ed by his negligence. His desultory
acquaintance with Tommy con-
vinced him that the affair with Dol
ly, if there was an affair, was i'm
portant only to Tommy.
Dolly, however, bore no malice.
When Jim went into the drugstore,
one morning, to have prescrip-
ton filled for Mr.. Vaughn, she
greeted him with a jaupty, Hello,
Mr.. Barrymore"
Jim assumed an engaging air of
contrition.
No" he said with slow, some
what sheepish smile. I'm the ex-
ira man in and about the house"
Dolly's eyes narrowed and GRIN
kled.
You're Jim," she said. return
ing his smile. THE new man out
at the Vaughns'."
How did you know"
Tommy told me-" She perched
on stool behind the fountain, pert
as Jim had remembered her, friend
ly, amusing. ITS funny" she con-
tinued, 1.-The day you came in here,
I thought you were a friend of the
Vaughns. You looked"
I'D just had a haircut" Jim
countered.
Dolly considered for a moment.
Then she leaned toward him across
the fountain and asked in a conf
dental undertone, Whats the idea,
Mister? Is it a bet?"
Jim shook his head.
Don't you read the papers?
There's a depression, he said.
'Oh!" Her expression changed
I'm sorry" she said slowly. ITS
none of my business anyway"
Again her eyes glinted teasingly
between thickly mascaraed lashes.
Are you good hired man." she
asked.
I'm improving" Jim replied
"And by the way, I'm indebted to
you for the job"
ITO me?"
ITO you," Jim replied. "You sent
me out to the Vaughn place with
What's his name? The speed demon
with the sandy hair
Herbert. She smiled.
You're responsible. What are
you going to do about it?"
Must l do anything?"
"You must let me pay my debt,
at least. What evenings are you
free?"
Mondays and Fridays-to you"
Good! I'll arrange something"
She smiled. ''Okay, Mister!"
But what about Tommy" Jim
asked. Perhaps I'll be risking my
job"
"Oh, Tommy" She grimaced
laughingly. Isn't he the man
about town! He's cut, though" she
added. "and useful sometimes. /
can dodge Tommy. He thinks l
spend my evenings reading"
Customers claimed her attention
then.
Jim promised himself the pleas
ure of spending an evening with
Dolly at some undetermined date in
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