The Washington times., 1938-12-03
By
ELIZABETH ARMSTRONG

T OUISE always declared she
- was going to marry a tall,
slender, dark man with melting
brown eyes. But this dream
lover got the gate the moment
she met Andy Clark, a big,
powerfully built redhead with
eyes that didn't melt but held
yours steadily, unflinching.
How queer love is, Louise said
to herself as she realized all her
youthful fancies hadn't meant q
thing.
Starting at the very bottom Of
his fathers big construction COM
pany, Andy was in town boSsing
q job of road building.
You could see him any day
dressed in overalls working just as
hard if not harder than most Of
the men in his gang. Andy was
a go-getter. He'd be up the lad
der before long and not because
of pull either.
PUTTY IN HER HANDS
But, with Louise he was Just a
sissy-that's what he used to ad-
NIT to himself. He was so In love
that he seemed unable to refuse
her anything. If Louise wanted
to 60 to the movies it was all
right with Andy even though he
much preferred a drive.
If she wanted to go driving 50
did Andy-and Greta Carlo at
the Star! 1--WE got him eating
out of my hand" Louise boosted
unwisely to a friend, Alice Mapes
who was a trifle jealous Of Louise.
Hes like a big redheaded bear
that I can lead around"
Look out he doesn't bite you
one of these days." retorted Alice.
Nobody with a jaw like Andy
Clark's going to be led around
very long,"
Shortly after this conversation
Louise was invited to a luncheon
in a neighboring town and offered
to take two friends along who
were also going. Late in start
ing, when they reached a certain
short cut on which Louise had
depended to save a good 10 min
utes she was diSmayed to see a
sign, Men At Work. Road Closed.
with screeching brakes she
brought her roadster to a stand
still.
IT don't believe the road Is
really impossible" said the girl
in the rumble, cts just one OF
those fool signs that don't mean
a thing"
"Too bad Andy's bossing this
Job" murmured Alice Mapes.
"You might persuade somebody
else to let us through. Not a
chance with Andy"
Louise made no reply to this
observation, but merely smiling q
Mona Lisa smile, jumped out and
easily moved aside the two little
wooden horses that blocked their
way. An instant later her car
shot forward again, but almost i'm
mediately came a bend in the road
beyond which men were dumping
stone. One stepped out and held
up his hand, Road closed. miss,
he said politely.
I'VE can get through. can't we?''
Nope. Gotta back out" Louise
argued for a moment then said
imperiously:
"Is Mr.. Clark here2"
"He sure is"
IT wish to speak to him."
FIRST SKIRMISH
THE Queen Of Siam has ar
rived" muttered the workman to
a companion, then started off for
Andy who when he appeared
looked bigger and more stalwart
than ever in his khaki working
clothes.
Look who's here" he said
pleasantly. Sorry, but you can't
get through. Louise leaned over
the car and raised her big blue
eyes to his, allowing her lids To
CULVER ever so slightly.
You'll let us through, won't
you, please, Andy?" She begged
in a sweet, low voice.
Cant. The road is closed
Louise flushed.
How sillyI" she exclaimed
you're only widening the bend
Don't be so important" At that
Andy s, ct her a look, the kind
Louise hadn't realized he was
capable Of shooting.
May 7 help you back back
your carp" he asked quietly.
II can do it myself" snapped
Louise, her temper not improved
by the fact that Alice Mapes
giggled. But, before she left the
scene in ignominious defeat she
glared at Andy in such a way that
had they been gangsters it woulC
have meant, I'll get you for this.
For two weeks Louise completely
ignored Andy, who endeavored tt
date her as before; she even sale
no when he asked her to accom-
pany him and his adored Spanie
Nicky on their usual Sunday
afternoon hike in the woods.
Then one fine day Louise awokt
to the fact that in her punishment
of Andy she was also including
herself. life without ANDY didn'