The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1938-05-12


them better than anything else il
the world, despite the fact tina
he was inclined to treat then
like toys rather than individual
with ideas of their own and livel!
preferences.
Everything, in fact, was hunky
dory with Lucius, unless some one
tried to put something over or
him. That made him sore. Ir
order, therefore, to maintain his
even disposition, he was always
cagey with strangers. And even
though Annabelle Grant appealed
to him on sight, he proceeded
cautiously.
The first time he met her, Anna,
belle was sitting at the bar of
the Ell Dorado Hotel having q
drink with her friend, Lily Craw.
ford. With Charlie at his side, Lu.
cius barged UP to the girls, started
a conversation, and soon the four
of them were friendly; were talk
ing as if they had known each
other for years.
One day Lucius called Charlie
aside.
II want to tell you something,
Charlie" he confided. "You may
have guessed it already, but I've
got yen for that girl, Annabelle.
You may think" he added, look
ing somewhat sheepish, that I'm
bit too old for her, and perhaps
am. But I'm going to give her
rush, just the same"
Go to it" said Charles.
After weeks, however, of per-
sistent pursuit, Lucius took on an
unaccustomed sobriety. He grew
restless, irritable, unlike himself.
whats the matter, pal?" asked
Charlie. Something troubling
you?"
cts Annabelle. I'm sure now
that I'd like to marry her and SET
tie down."
more power to you, Lucius,"
said Charlie. "She's a swell girl.
You'd be making no mistake"
IT wish to heaven there was
some way Of finding out if she
loves me as much as she indicates
she does!"
Maybe I can talk to Lily. She's
pretty fond of me. And she usually
gets talkative after the fourth
side-car."
yeah, but not talkative enough.
This time I want the real low
down"
But, Lucius, you can't station
a dick in their room"
mo, but I can install a dicta-
phone connecting their suite and
ours, and listen in on their con-
versation. The tricks been pulled
often in my crook shows. might
as well try it myself"
But what will the hotel man
agement say?" ,
st can fix that. The important
thing is to keep Annabelle from
knowing it."
A week later, as planned, the
dictaphone was set up in opera
ton. The first time Lucius list
ened in he was full of anxiety.
Annabelle was talking to Lily at
that very moment. He broke into
the middle of a sentence:
Eyes, Lily" she said. I'm really
surprised myself. I never thought
for a moment I could be interested
in any one of the theatre. It's a
different world from ours, you
know. The people seem so hard
boiled. Don't you think SOP"
"Yes," said Lily. But still"
"Oh, of course there are excep.
lions. I guess we were pretty
lucky when we fell in with Lucius
IT think you're falling for him, u
sail Lily, a mischievous something
in her voice.
DEMURRING ANNABELLE
Don't be silly" replied Anna.
belle. Cant I even talk about a
fellow without"
Lucius chuckled to himself
How wonderful, now flattering!''
Two weeks after, he popped the
question. To his surprise, Anna.
belle demurred; declared herself
unworthy of a place beside Lucius
in the important world which he
dominated.
You're so famous" she said
land I'm scarcely anything at
ALI"
A week later, he handed her a
beautiful engagement ring, not
knowing that a chance incident
had precipitated her instant &C
ceptance. On the very day that
Lucius had the dictaphone In
stalled, the girls went to the mat
inee, as planned, and on their re
turn strolled into the lobby in
stead of going straight to their
suite.
Lets slip into the bar for a
'quickie,'" said Annabelle. Then
she stopped abruptly.
For Gods sake" she exclaimed
there's Jack Slitters walking ur
to the cigar counter!"
Who's he, Annabelle?" asked
Lily, interested. 1--WE never hearC
you mention him before"
"Oh, I've known him for years
one of my old sweetieS! I've JUS
got to talk to him, Lily. Yol
stand here On guard and warn mi
if LuciuS comes in.
without further ceremony
Annabelle rushed across the lobby
caught up with the retreatini
young man, and grabbed him b,
the sleeves.
Jack" she cried breathleSslJ
what are you doing here? Yo'
handsome deyilp"