Evening star., 1939-04-23

seemed satisfied by her scrutiny: Il loveit.
Come on know where they serve stems
as tall as that fire hydrant" Root beers were
only nickel apiece. He could still eat break
fast In the intimacy of a drugstore booth
their acquaintance ripened with the surprising
speed it often shows when the right people get
together.
Bud learned that she had quit college when
her mothers death left Just enough out of
her fathers insurance to pay for a business
course And that she had had one Job. but
quit it when her employer grew personal.
He found further that her odd. small-girl
smile with one blue eye winkjng little more
than the other raised holy havoc with his
circulatory system. And by the time he ~
her at her apartment door two hours later.
he was gripped by great feverish yearning
to take care of her for the rest of her life
So it was as if setting out on a knightly
quest that he went about getting that refund
from kilgore He was his buoyant self as he
sat next morning in the frosted glass office
Of the adjustment manager. and found himself
crossing glanccs with runty man whose
gimlet eyes cleaned from thin face under
big forehead
Mr. kilgore" Bud began with his friendly,
young grin. Il want to clear up a
''Name?" inquired the runty man, pencil
poised for routine duty.
''McOuarrie said Bud Il -"
"McOuarrie2" The gimlet eyes darted over
him alertly. Not the fellow who brought the
girl up Yesterday to Mrs Woilords desk"
Bud nodded I'm the guy But it was
The runty mans thin face had redeemed.
and vein stood out on his big forehead
You have your gall, coming in here after
trick like that. he snapped. 'lmpersonating
store executive - trying to bully my assist
ant into making refund on used goods. He
was working into fine lather. You and that
little "
Hey don't say anything rash. 1t was all
my fault | never saw her before.
kilgore leaned forward, staring at him.
You never saw her before
Right She miStOOk me for a toOrWaker.
Just for the nuts of it played it out, And
brought her up here. 1t was fool trick.
didn't think about getting her in bad. Bud
was warm and uncomfortable.
kigore rocked back in his chair. smiling
thinly I'm the adjustment department. he
said, I'VE get used to meeting all kinds of
lodges"
Il admit l was all wrong" Bud said.
And apologize Miss Day didn't know a
thing about it Can she get her refund now
Klgore smiled again. rocked in his chair.
you're pretty nice boy friend he
crooned "Whenthe masquerade doesn't work,
you come in and admit being cheap masher,
lust to get your girls money back.
Bud was on his feet ''lf you were only
man size he began. He checked himself,
thinking of Bethany and her need for money.
Listen, kilgore" he urged, but the short
mans bulging brow was dark.
You'd better get out of here, he said.
There's store detective out on the floor.
Next time see you around here III turn you
over to him"
Bud saw it was no use. I'm sorry you're
such louse he said. and left the runty
man fizzing like an overheated boiler.
Bud tramped the eight blocks to where his
car was parked, his usually erect shoulders
hunched and his eyes on the sidewalk. BY the
time he climbed into the little maroon roadster
his mind was made up.
He drove out to his room and left Bethany
DAVIS DackapeS. then drove back downtown