The Washington times., 1937-09-29

Danny jumped to his feet and
kissed her in front of everyone.
"I'n do all the debating" and
he kissed her again.
Helen's neck and ears were
stlnging, as she ran for the P1z-
zeria. She never apologized to
two dark and sinister men who
we're lurking so near to Tony's
entrance that she ran headlong
into them both.
She rushed into her apron and
when she returned to the front
of the restaurant, she could see
the men glazing at her through
the window.
The flashing neon sign seemed
tc twist their faces in cruel
grimaces with every relightening.
Il think that they are going to
hold me up" Tony said to Helen.
They have been spotting the
place for a week now. They
would have done it last night, but
Your cop friend came in. guess
they will try some more tonight"
Horrors" thought Helen, Sup
pose they should shoot Danny"
Ard they surely would if they
caught him. And she knew that
it was useless to go out. He
would come while she was looking
for him.
The men were in no hurry, how
ever, and they waited until the
streets were lonely, before they
came into the restaurant.
One was short and fat with his
top coat long and tight. His sleeve
half concealed the automatic piS-
toll that he carried in his hand.
The other was taller and held his
hand. The other was taller and
held his hand ominously in his
pocket.
Wen Just take what you have
in the cash box" said the taller
one. The shorter hold-up man
looked furtively about. Tony went
to the cash register, when one Of
the bandits said:
Wait a minute, here comes a
cop"
1t was Danny. Helen gasped.
Listen" said the short thug,
pretend that nothing is happen
ing. Get us coffee and we'll wait
until this duck scrams.'
"One false move" said the tall
one. The short thug stuck his
hand into his pocket.
When Danny entered the two
men were seated upon the counter
stools. They leaned over the
freshly drawn coffee, but were at
tentive through the corners of
their eyes.
Helen hurried off to prepare
Danny'S spaghetti. When she came
back, she saw the bulge in both
thugs pockets, and she barely
smiled to her fiance.
DANGEROUS SITUATION
Come On, Honey. give me a
SMILE" said Danny. III take you
home tonight"
The thugs hand was moving
more threateningly.
THAT will be swell, Danny" she
attempted a natural voice. She
was already stirring up his spa
ghetti.
Then, holding the fork she let
long piece curl upon the marble
counter. It was the word sign "l''
100" meaning look" She forgot
her fright, so thrilled was she with
this cleverneSS.
Then still stirring she dropped
another piece which curled into a
diphthong lou" meaning "out."
The sauce was thoroughly mixed
with the food, SO that when she
dropped the string Of spaghetti
forming hold" and up" it was
brown and lucious.
There was the message, Look
out, hold up Sprawled across the
counter.
Danny looked at her through
the corner of his eye, and she re-
allied that he had comprehended.
Then he dropped his knife. It
seemed like a perfectly natural
dropping.
He bent down to pick it up, and
in another instant he had the two
men by the necks, knocking thei1
heads together and disarming
them.
Helen came from behind the
counter, as proud of her cleverness
as she was of Danny's bravery.
Well" she said, II guess that
you were wrong; I did lave u"e
for shorthand, and I did do some
debating"
Shorthand" asked Danny,
what do you mean?"
THE message I sent you that
these crooks were here" answered
Helen.
shorthand" said Danny put
ting the cuffs on them. IT didn't
see any shorthand. I Just knew
that something was wrong to make
you nervous enough to slop spag.
hetti all over the counter"
Copyright 1887, by News Syn
dictate Co., Inc)
THE END