Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-09-04

IF YOUNG WINGATE HADN'T
PULLED A 'RICKSHA AND
MET THE GREAT LA
CLAIRE, HE MIGHT NEVER
HAVE LOST A GENTLE
MANS STATUS.

Aa0 Drought MIN up 30 be a
| gentleman Which was why he
n always was q gentleman, ever
when he had to 20 between
shafts and be q horse. And he went
right on being a gentleman when he
had TO step out of those shafts and
rub sun tan oil on Lisa C1aire's back
Which, IN way, was too bad -.
When the call came from e. Mirasol
that La Claire wanted q 'ricksha
Thornton, by one of the hazards of
his job, was given the assignment. Told
that the actress was in a hurry. he
trotted with his ricksha all the way
from tne livery to the angled pile Of
modeTnlStic adobe that was Palm
Springs most fashionable hotel.
He waited fifty-five minutes in the
patio for his fare; which wasn't q
very long time for Lisa Claire to keep
anybody waiting.
Thornton saw her as she came across
the clipped grass, consciously uncon-
Scious OF the StareS of other guests.
she was wearing pareu Of blue linen,
and its skirt floated back to display
the shortest of shorts, the most beau
tifu OF legs. Her candle flame hair
was ruffled by the breeze, her jewelers.
blue eyes ashine. Perhaps never, on
the screen or off, had she looked more
alluring.
Il want to sun battle Take me to
somewhere quiet-aWay from staring
people" she sighed; and without look
ing at Thornton, laid the small, warm
curve OF her arm in his big hand, so
he could help her into the ricksha.
Thornton said: Eyes, Miss" and
helped her in; then stepped between
the shafts again.
He took the unshaded street past
the golf club, Andres road and La
Cienga, and, finally, a trail that
spiraled halfway up mountain.
Soon they looked down like Gods
upon a little world; houses white as
sugar Jumps, red candy roofs, and be-
yond, the desert, a great beige rug,
stained with purple lupin, and spread
ing far to tuck in about the feet of
Did snow-headed mountains.
"a lovely view. Well worth the
climb" said Lisa, as if she had done |
The climbing as well as Thornton. |
Stop here. Prop up the shafts in that /
push. I want you to put some sun tan /
iii on my back. I can't reach between /
ny shoulders"
Thornton propped the shafts, took
he bottle Of oil from Lisa and began
o apply the scented liquid methodic-
lily, and with a touch that neither
altered nor fingered.
Lisa was surprised. Few men had
yer come so close to her, and none
lad ever touched her with such lack
f excitement. Curious, she twisted her
'erfect neck and looked Thornton
ver-as well as she could look him
yer when he stood almost directly
ehind her back.
The face, under its white sun helmet,
ras surprisingly handsome. Long and
roud and sensitive. The shoulders. in
lue polo shirt, sloping and powerful.
he legs, set off by white running
ants, were cream Drowned by the sun, /,
nd straight as the columns Of a j
smple
yer get tired Of dragging 'ricksha /
round?" t
'No," said Thornton. II only do it
x hours day" II
"Only six hoursl should think you'd /
II don't get tired" said Thornton. !
"Oh," said Lisa. Il suppose you're
sed to It,"
moment. Lisa went on: 1--WE heard =
)u 'ricksha men were all college boys.
an track"
1T ran the hurdles" said Thornton. I
That's where you jump things, isn't
% =
Eyes. Mine were low hurdles" 2
Where are you from?" :
Boston" Ii
"I Thought from your accent it was
me place like that. What's your e
lme?" h
''Wingate." q
1T mean your first name" a
Thornton" Il
IT once knew a man named Thorn =
n. He played in the first picture
er made. I called him 'Tawny,' for h
ort. He wasn't as good looking as "A
u are, though" h
cream-browned cheeks I,
ok on a slightly reddish tinge, as he r
We final pat to the velvet Of Lisas II
ok a
That's done, I think" he said. :"
THANK you. Thank you so very n,
uch," Lisa crooned. q
When Thornton turned to hand her
ok the bottle of sun tan oil, she
liIed at him, her jewelers. blue eyes
owing. But no answering glow came q
TO his grave, brown ones. And Lisa N
s used to having mems eyeS-an N
ems, executives, prop boys, traffic