The Washington times., 1937-02-11

Nor anywhere" The grin &C.
companylng the growl was Inpleas.
ant. once upon a time"-a little
more graciously-"the south shore
of Lake Erie was my habitat"
Indeed? Same with me. My
name is Paige" Might as well tell
the truth this time, he thought.
Not likely ever to see this chap
again.
Mines Ingram-David Ingram.
Glad to have run across you"
They smiled briefly and shook
hands. Been here long, Mr..
Paige?"
Since noon. Spent most Of the
time since arrival in a Turkish
bath, boiling out the sand. Dirty
trip. Very tedious"
Don't I know" grumbled In
gram. Landed here from Shang-
hal, two weeks ago yesterday.
Round-trip to New York since
then"
The buzzer sounded a warning
that the third act was ready, and
they sauntered into the crowd
drifting toward the entrances to
the aisleS.
Doing anything in particular
afterward?" asked Ingram.
No" said Paige brusquely,
Nothing"
Meet you-out here, maybe?"
II don't mind"
Ingram was waiting for him
after the show, and they strolled
out into the balmy May-day eve.
ming headed toward the hotel
where both were stopping.
Two hours later. lounging with
unbuttoned collars and open
waiStcoats in Ingram's room, they
had admitted to each other that
they were adrift. Neither had
come to the point of disgorging
details but after much careful
catfooting around the rim Of their
respective predicar4ents and a
few drinks from Ingram's quart
bottle. supplemented by ice and
ginger ale from below, it became
clear enough that however they
may have arrived at their present
state of uselessness, they we're
equally useless.
Look" Ingram had become
suddenly inspired with a large
idea. You and I need a long
breath of absolutely fresh air.
Away up in the mountains. Away
up above the fog. We gotta get out
of the sight and sound and smell
Of the whole damned farce. Well
buy a coupla blankets and some
beans and lease a burro-and lose
ourselves for month or two.
Whaddayuh Say?"
Paige grinned and shook his
head.
Il wouldn't be any good at that
sort of thing. Never went camping
in my life"
Neither did I. Well take a
guide. Get one for a song"
Maybe we'd better wait and
talk it over when we're both !
sober" suggested Paige indul-
gently.
How do you mean-'both
sober" challenged Ingram true
ulently
When I'm sober then, little
one if you're so sensitive"
Ingram slumped into a chair, |
scowIed, grinned, mopped his
face. and said he needed a bowl
Of hot onion soup. Paige re-
Elected that a glass of iced butter
milk would be more to the pur-
pose After a quarrel about the
respective merits of these restora-
tlves. they started to go down to
the grill.
You'd make a much better i'm
preston there if you wore your
shirt" advised Paige. Here it
is--and brush your hair"
"Yeah-that.S what comes from
living soft" rumbled Ingram.
Gotta wear a shirt. Gotta brush |
your hair. I want a breath O. air.
Mountains! Beans! Burro! Open
spaces"
a II n |! A-l-l-r-l-g h-t !"
draWled Paige We'll do it.
Sounds silly-and I'll bet we're
back in "a hours. But-WeIl try .
it,"
~
1t was late afternoon when
THEN train arrived at Bayley's
GulCh. Leaving their dunnage /
with the station master, they had .
Sauntered up the shabby street .
TO the general store which was
also the post office.
In gran inquired pleasantly
whether it would be possible to
secure a guide to take them up
into the mountains on a hiking
trip.
How lonp9" growled a swarthv
N TX Of fellow seated on a nail.
keg IN the far corner.
TO Be COntinued)
Copyright 1887. BY Lloyd c. pouElaw.
Distributed by King Feature0
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