Evening star., 1937-08-22
1lvsvst 22. 1897


egular Just drive Saturdays. I'm student
Columbia, working my way =" He bit
is lip. 1t sounded too much like the good old
anhandler spiel. II pick up little, now and
hen, driving my taxi, )" he added carelessly.
1t was heady, fattering, the interest she
ook in him, asking questions about him.
ust voice in his ear bringing visions to his
\ yes A voice unsure of itself, somehow dis
surbed, but deeply interested in the obscure
! mbition of the boy who wanted to study law.
His condolences came pouring out, spring
orrent, breaking the dam. He told her of his
,ather, who had died when his grocery burned
Flown, no insurance Of his mother, who had
always wanted him to be lawyer. He told
,er how he had gotten the money to pay his
freshman tuition and the kind of jobs guy
lad to find if he wanted to eat. This wasn't
hard luck story; just Eddie's story. How
guy had to keep going.
You'll keep going" he heard her say.
Thanks lot" He almost felt her medal
IN his breast. She said no more. She had
ettled back among the cushions
Eddie was so deep in his own dream that he
lidn't see the number on the Grand Con-
course until she cried nervously. stop!
You're going by it,"
He pulled up in front of a tall brick build
ng. The meter, which his excited eyes could
oarely see, read $2.4O. Well, that's that, he
thought, disconsolate that the sweet compan-
Eonship had come to an end He opened the
door for her. Queer She didn't pay her fare
and 90 her way. She stood there, frightened
eyes turning first to the apartment house,
then to Eddie Her expression seemed to drag
him off the seat and to the curb beside her.
What she said was queerer still. Il think
you're very brave young man," almost in
whisper She looked at him for minute,
then faltered, Would you help me with
something?"
Anything" he said, and knew it was no
small favor she was asking.
I've got to go up to my - his apartment.
think there won't be any trouble. don't
think he's there - Id feel safer with you -
if my husband came in -"
Her challenge to chivalry. well, let's go!"
he rumbled, and tossed his cap back into the
car. gauge of battle.
"Is Mr.. Holt in?" she asked of the meek
West Indian elevator boy, who explained that
he didn't know he'd just been on an hour.
The boy took them up, and they faced 5-B.
Eddie helped her unlock the door, because
her hand was shaking. BE very quiet" she
whispered.
They stole into a drawing room, which
would have been pretty, save for the open
desk drawers and the papers Uttered across
the rug. The blinds were down. Even in the
dimness, Eddie had an impression of hasty
search in disrupted home.
There was decision in Mrs. Holt 3 gliding
steps. Fear seemed to dart her forward to a
tier of high bookshelves, to plunge her fingers
stealthily to set of large, red volumes. Not
a sound as she took down three or four; her
hand groped into the space where they had
been. He could hear her muffled breath as,
with single motion. she brought out pack
of letters and stuffed them into Eddie's
pocket. Then something fell. She had dropped
a heavy book; it hit narrow tin scrap basket
which tumbled over and rang like a great
brass gong
Lets get out -" Her strangled whisper.
Slowly door opened and large, fattish
man, suspenders over his undershirt, stood
scowling at her. He had been asleep, appar-
emily, for his coarse gray hair was r,mpled
and his cheeks we're pillow creased He wasn't
nice to look at, and his words, when they