The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-18
D SERIAL STORY
SIS A WEEK
By LOUISE HOLMES
Copyright. 1910. SEA Service. Inc.

fntted IN the Dack OF ner mlIlo.
Steve drained his glass. Tn :
pupils Of his eyes were slightt
dilated. his face was flushed. n
You're clever as they come. ie
he said. Where did you pick u ~
your line ," re
From Pete"
Pete ?" RI
My father"
Steve laughed. I'D like TO NEE al
that feila. He must be some Ell
body" n.
He was. He lived by his Wits e..
And his little daughter is fol VI
lowing in his footsteps. liz
She shrugged, twisting her glass
1t was going to take all the Wit /
she possessed to get out of thi III
situation. The evening had onl RI
begun. There was no doubt ths ~
II would progress to new height on
At this point Jake stood u
dizzily. dumping Clara to the floo
She set up howl and he steppe a
over her. ri
"Lemme get you another drink. x /
he said to Ann. II
II still have half of this one, HI
she told him. "I'n let you know, r.
Two walters came in. They Sc
table in the center of the room h
Dinner was a nightmare of clums d
ribaldry and intimate pate, ofI
Toasts were drunk. Florabelle an ID
Clancy exchanged kisses at fir.
quent intervals. Clara unavailink
ly walled, Il wish somebody woui
kiss me-" Jake kept an arr
around Ann. She scarcely touche
her excellent food. -
They were still at the tab
when Jake slumped forward. TIC (
many drinks, the warm air an
rich food, had done their wor, !.
with him.
Ann said, Steve - Clancy
you'd better do something abol
Jake"
They pulled him to his limp fec .
and headed down the hall to II
bathroom. Florabelle went to Il
kitchen in search of bicarbonat,
of soda. She laughed softly. r.
peating over and over, Jake can
take it--Jake can't take it"
Ann sprang to her feet. "G',
your things, Clara" she sa,
quickly. Were getting out
here"
mo- don't want to CO." Claf.
howled. I'm having fun nevt
had so much fun in my life >.
Ann shook her arm. Don't |
little fool" she blazed. "Yc.
and are on a spot. Come on
Clara jerked her arm free. SB)
stumbled past Ann and into or
Of the bedrooms, slamming tY
door behind her. Ann heard II
key turn in the lock, she heati
Clara muttering, II won't go,
you can't make me-" =
She had chosen to lock herse
in the room where AIMS hat ls'
on the bed. Hesitating only brie'
ly, Ann left the apartment. Clio.
ing the door softly, she heaf
Florabelle Tuning, Where in he
do they keep the bicarb?"
Ann fled into an elevator an
out of the building, not stoppiri
until she reached the corner.
bus was numbering down II
drive. She had put 5o-cent pied
in the pocket of her dress-ma'
money-she fumbled for it.
Ann let the bus pass. WIFI
should she do about Clara? ST
couldn't leave her. She locke
fearfully back at the lighted hotd'
II can't go back" she though
She'll have to take care Of her
self l tried" Suddenly she wa
startled by the sound of runnin
feet. About to take to her heel
she recognized Steve's voice. II
wait a minute - here's you
hat" He dashed up, breathin
hard. "Whew-rm winded-nd
so good at running as I used
be-" He held out the hat.
Clara" Ann said worriedls
Wouldn't she Gomez"
mot q chance. / did my best
He touched her elbow. That's m
car over there. III take yo,
home"
"Thanks-the bus is coming"
"Oh, l guess not" His finger
frightened on her elbow.
Steve. I'd rather go hon
alone" She was close to angr
tears. II hate all of you"
"All right-I'll buy you a taxi
"Yon won't do anything for me
She wriggled to free her arm.
Please. Ann" He looked
contrite that she ceased wrigglint 81
81 apologize for myself and m
friends. Let me drive you hons
I want to talk to you. Please
Ann could not know that it wa
the first time he, Claybourne, ha
pleaded with a girl. He, in hi
turn, would have been surprise
10 know her reason for relentint
Riding home with Steve would
the means Of saving carfare.
"All right" she said.
His car was long and broad an
comfortable. Ann sat in eorne
Of the deeply cushioned seat. OF
fering nothing. Steve asked 10
directions and shot through IN
traffic, lodging between carr
making green lights on the las
flicker.
Ann kept silent SO steve wa
drunk after all. Shed made an
80. s~zft.k mistake She Sc tE