Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-01-07
CHAPTER 5

The next 20 minutes kept neT ouSS
receiving guests. She counted tnen
carefully, wondering if the ceremony
of giving out presents could yet begin
and discovered only Edith Fletcher
missing. She would wait five min
utes.
There was Edith Fletcher. She was
walking with Ruth, clinging tightly
to her arm. Ramon followed them and
they all came in together. Edith
Fletcher released Ruth reluctantly
blushed and shook hands with Mrs
Bautizo, and allowed herself to be join
ed to the herd of children. Merry
Christmas, Mrs. Bautizo," said Rutn
pleasantly. "Isn't your tree nice"
Mrs. Bautizo noted that Ruth and
Ramon were among those who didn't
consider it too early for wine drink
ing.
The distribution of the presents,
with accompanying volumes of thanks,
cries of pleasure, minor jealousies, pa
ternal promptings, took almost an
hour, so it was only toward the end
that Mrs. Bautizo could get moment
to speak to Mrs. Fletcher.
"I see Edith about good deal with
Ruth Micks," said Mrs. Bautizo. "Such
a pretty girl, isn't she? But, you
know 1 just can't altogether adjust
myself to the things they do today.
No."
"Oh," said Mrs. Fletcher, II don't
approve at all of the way Mildred has
brought Ruth up. / wish very much
Edith would see less of her. But in
a little place like San Mario, you
know"
Don't mistake me-" she begged, Il
am sure Ruth is a thoroughly nice
girl. But she's young, after all. Ruth
ought to be careful. For her own
sake, first of all. She ought to real
ize that certain things which are prob
ably perfectly innocent, are easily mis-
interpreted"
No, she saw, the old Micks-Fletcher
alliance still her thus far. Mrs.
Fletcher gave her no encouragement.
"Have drink, Lam" said Fletcher.
Aye, Juan, two rye!"
Cali right. Never got through
Christmas down here yet without get
ting drunk Better keep me away from
Arnold and that boy scout Ramon" E"
what you got against Ramon,
Ian? Far as 1 can see he's good
kid"
He must be. Ruth thinks he's next
to God"
That's all right, Bob, I'm just tell
ing you. l never did love that two
time sneak Arnold, and l don't hap
pen to like Ramon. Every time l take
a drink l like them less"
They climbed into Ford at the end
of the line. "Just slide through the
club and see how their poker game
goes" suggested Mr.. Fletcher, bene-
violently.
"All right" agreed Lancy Micks.
Funny" he said. Il can't see how
l lost that fourth cock fight. We had
him licked from the start. 1t was plain
rotten luck. That Chiroo chicken
didn't know what he was coming or
going" He drove furiously.
They came up the Club path to-
gether. "I'm not going to play if that
ape Arnold is in on it." declared
Micks.
Hell, Ian, be yourself. A little
liquor sure turns you nasty"
"I got Arnold's number long ago
His playing around with Mr.. Bautizo
is going to make you trouble some
day. The two of them will get hold
of Don Miguel and run you out of
here one fine morning"
"Oh, shut up, Ian. Arnold's a good
man and does his work"
The front room of the Club held one
big round table and one small square
one. The small square one was cover
ed with bottles and siphons and glass
es half filled, ice in bowl, and {
huge bundle of cigars someone had giN
en- some one for Christmas. At the
other seat sat six men in their shir
sleeves behind variously large stack
of colored chips.
At half past five, Lancey Mick
stood up. He had consumed pint o
whiskey, he Judged, and counting car
lessly, he had won close to $500, main
ly from Mr.. Arnold.
1--WE got to Dress" said Lance.
Micks. "Tell you what, Arnold. Dom
like to quit with all your money. &c
some dice and I'll roll you for tn
total-double or quits"
Arnold answered, 1--WE playe
enough with you."
"Just what do you mean by that I?
inquired Lancey Micks.