The Coolidge examiner., 1939-03-30
CHAPTER VU-Continued
il


you on the ear for it. Now you can
get away with any kind of bunk
and they say, oh, that's o. K. Just
wish-fulfllment.' Pretty soft!"
But don't you see, Gloria? That
stuff that's at the back of your
mind is your real self, the way you
want to be. It'll all come out If il
gets a chance. Templeton Sayles
would like to be the Great Lover.
AS he hasn't got the equipment,
he's just the Great Show-off. He
imagines himself getting a medal
for life-saving heroism, but when
the showdown comes, what does
the hero do? Sits on the shore and
lets me drown"
Say. wait a minute" objected
Gloria. According to your pro-
spectus, if he wishes he was hero,
then he really is one, inside"
We'll, he isn't" snapped Marine.
Hes a coward"
Coward, huh? Well, I'D like to
get his angle on that"
do. But you needn't tell me.
Not interested"
"All right; win. mean. won't.
l mean, l will ask him but won't
tell you unless you come for it."
She did. She got Kelsey aside
What's the big idea, young fella-
me-lad?"
About what?"
Marine. Letting her pretty near
drown. Why not the gallant rescue
act?"
The subject of the inquiry settled
his perfectly fitting white coat
across his shoulders, smoothed out
an imaginary wrinkle or two, and
pivoted slowly before the intent eyes
of his questioner.
What do you think Of me?"
You're all right"
Like this suit?"
VERY snappy."
Now Gloria. l want you to listen
intently. This is important"
I'm listening"
Never. whatever you do, 60 into
water with white serge suit on. 1t
simply will not recover its set" He
stopped and looked at her solemnly.
'Hm-m-m-m. That's your story,
is it,"
That's my story"
well, you aren't going to tell any
more than you want; can see
that. But Marine thinks you're yell
low."
Kelsey grinned. II thought 1t was
another color that she played me
for. Maybe she thinks I owe her an
explanation. II so. I'll try to get
one up for her."
I'D like to be there when you
spring it."
Right Wen try to give you no.
tice."
"A. Icons due back tomorrow"
she informed him, with a sidelong
glance.
How delightful for one and ALI"
''Hmpph! Chatty like a clam,
aren't you'll Well, don't take any
risks with your precious life before
l see you again."
AS far as A. Leon Snydacker him.
self was concerned. his return was
less delightful than he had antici-
pated. His darling proved unac-
countably elusive. Every project
that he devised for getting her apart
from the rest was baff1ed with such
tact and amiability that he could
not figure out just how it was &C.
complished. He decided to delay
the playing of his trump card until
after his four-day air-trip to Holly
wood.
When / come back he confided
to Moby Dickstein, It'll be with
five carats of diamond. Emeralds?"
he pursued reflectively. "Emeralds
is just pass. but a solitaire means
business"
That's the talk, Bwana."
''You try her out on the weekend
proposition. If she still balks it'll be
time to play the diamond"
IAN right, Bwana. My middle
names diplomacy" Behind the
magnate's retiring back he made a
wry face. Acting as go-between for
A. Leon's love affairs was one phase
of his job that soured on a stomach
long trained not to be over-squeam-
ish.
Two days after the great mans
departure his lieutenant approached
Marine with an air of bonhomie.
"Hay-o. kid. You're gettin a cou-
pie days vacation. hear"
Am I? That's nice. / hadn't
known of il"
'Sure. Friday. You're taking a
little trip in the hydro with the
Boss"
where TOT"
You'll find that out when you get
there"
who else is going?"
THE pilot"
I'm afraid I'm going to be busy
next weekend"