Evening star., 1939-03-19


wouldn't crawl off 4 red hot stove. For
once in my life have the right on my
side. one hundred per cent. and the
skids are creased against me. Amt 1t
hell an all. Mrs. t.?
Mrs. Tupper nodded absently. But
| still don't sec why you can't bring
the snake into court and show he's
only seventeen feet long instead or
twenty" she objected.
I'VE cam" Mr. Cooney Martin
agreed glumly. But the guy denies
that he ever represented the snake to
be twenty feet along. That's well
known legal gag, as you know. Mrs, l.
Deny everything an play tor the
breaks. It's up to us to carry the hight
to the other fellow. OF course, il there
was some way we could back up our
spiel to the court about the menace
angle - what the devil are you
laughing about, Mrs. T.?'
Nothing that has anything to do
with your problem, CoOney. She
paused in the middle OF the cxplana-
ton to release another series OF
ruminatlvc chuckles You animal
lovers have your troubles, don't you'll
was thinking of an old friend of mine
- Mrs. Gibbons that used to live a
few doors away from me. She had
animal trouble, too! A cat. When she
went travelling she used to take it with
her. Garry 1t around in one OF those
little vallse things with wire netting
on one end. The cats name was Cellini
and can see him yet - Mrs. Tupper
dropped the big handkerchief into the
huge expanse of black taffeta stretch
ing across her knees and her brows
gathered thoughtfully over her amused
eyes
"Well I'm not carrying this baby of
mine around in no valise.' MIR.
Coonev Martin assured her sourly.
''Iic travels in a wicker hamper - say,
what's the matter? You look -"
Don't mind my looks Mrs.
Tupper suggested briskly. Il don't.
I've reached the comfort period in life
Now let's get back to business think
| can follow your line of thought,
Cooncy. You said you'd go INTO my
hot hnI
the money. Now let me ask you a
question: If by any wild chance you
should win this case and get the
money. would you put part of it into
my deal? In other words. was that all
idle chatter, to butter me up. because
you felt you didn't have chance TO
get the money, or was it on the level?
Did ever tWo-time you. Mrs. I. ?"
Mr.. CoOney Martin demanded PLAIN
lively. Il amt saying made the
promise to you little easier and lit
tie quicker because | felt -- well, you
know how 1t is.
Mrs. Tupper nodded. Nothing to
lose, eh? Well, maybe you're right. 1t
doesn't look very hot for the home
team, does it," She picked up her
handkerchief and mopped her moist
face Still. can't get over the notion
I'm not being my usual bright self
about this business. COoney There's
a ghost OF something running around
in the back of my head. Something |
can't quite catch by the tail"
Something to help me beat this?'
''Im not sure. That's what irritates
me-" She scrambled to her feet. But
I'm not giving up! I'm going home
and sit til figure it out. Where carl
get in touch with you, Cooncy-ifthis
mental preserve Of mine jells?"
Mr.. Cooney Martin gave her the
name of his hotel That swell of you,
Abbie." he muttered. "You always did
have heart as big as all out doors"
Stuff" Mrs. Tupper snorted. I'm
doing this to keep tenant in business;
to get my rent. want my drains
cleaned out
"You didn't let me finish" Mr..
Martin protested with grin. And
you always covered your sentimental
mcanderlngs with a Hard Hearted
Hannah act. You can't fool me, Mrs