Evening star., 1940-03-10
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The lovliest lady who ever lived,
Mr.. Mcnticelli."
Jack Is Cautious.
"They always are" MonticelN
told him, shortly. "But-there's
one idea right there. Why not
simply tell her how beautiful she
IS, how sweet and tender and WHOLE
some. and how much you would
appreciate It, II she would con-
descend to become your wife.
Women are like that, you know.
They love to cnndescend." Il
"Tis an idea" Jack said cau-
tiously. "Only-only Jane amt
beautiful. But she Is beautiful in
side, If you know Whist mean"
"Hmmm. " Monticelli sprang from
his chair and paced thoughtfully
up and down the floor. He paused
for an instant to turn OF the lapp.
then resumed his strolling. He stop.
ped short nghis tracks. Then tell
her what beautiful soul she has.
Ha, that might be the answer. If
she's beautiful inside she must have
beautiful soul, and since eyes are
windows Of ones soul she must have
beautiful eyes. The point, Mr..
OMalley, is that you have to spread
it on thick. The homeliest woman in
the world always thinks she's the
most beautiful. You have to tell
them that whether you like to or
not"
lacked heaved troubled sigh. 1T
would take a bard to say all that,
Mr.. Monticelli. Unless said 1t well,
Jane would call 1t lot Of barney"
TITS out, then," Monticelli said,
dismissing the idea reluctantly.
Another approach would, I sup
posed, be better. How about the
sympathy angle? Tell her how
lonesome you are, how you aren't
getting the right kind of food to eat
and that you just know she's the
best cook in the world and that
you're sure you'll starve to death II
she doesn't marry you?" : '--'
Cooking Approach Out.
A merry laugh broke from Jacks
lips and his eyes shone as he glanced
at the voice teacher. Jane Is a
good cook, but she cooks for me
now, SO If I tell her that wasn't
gettm' enough to eat she'd be in
suited"
Again Monticelli began his nerv-
Gus pacing up and down the room
and Jack was worried Maybe the
music teacher didn't know what to
do. either. 4e.
Monticello suddenly stopped his
pacing and glanced triumphantly at
him, face radiant, eyes flashing. IT
have it.! Mr.. O'Malley, am
genius! Why not just tell her YOU
love her and want to marry her?
Ha! Is that not original? Just tell
her that you love her and want to
marry her. It's good, Mr.. OMalley.
It's positively terrified"
IT'S the best approach" Jack
agreed, suddenly becoming light of
heart and mind. He thrust out his
big hand and clapped Monticeln on
the back, thanking him effusiyely.
"Shure, an I appreciate your
help, Mr. Monticelli. You are a
great man an would like you to
come TO the wedding"
MonticelH shifted and walked over
TO the door, opening 1t wide.
weddings are only for fools, MI.
OMalley. It Is funny, but all men
walk with smile toward the seene
OF their own funeral. However. = I
am not a fool and I am nj intAr-
ested In weddings. Good night, Mr. |
oMalley!"
Jana Teases Him.
Jack was still chucklinr over
Monticellis parting remark when
ne presented himself at James
apartment door an hour or so later
NO, Monticeli was no fool, but he
certainly did his best to make
every one believe he was. JACK
pressed the doorbell firmly, conscious
OF q confidence that he had not
even hoped to possess an hour or so
ago: He had the correct technique.
ne had the necessary nerve, he had
the ring. Everything was going
perfect. He was going to storm
James heart-successfully.
Are you sick, Jack?" Jane
querled anxiously as he opened the
door and stepped aside to let him
enter.
"sick?" Her remark had the
effect Of destroying his aplomb
and a grieved expression flitted
across his beet-red face as he sank
70 the sofa. "Shure an why
should a grown man like me be
sick?"
Jane smiled as she sat down. "Wel
II you aren't, you're acting as If |
you are. You enter through the
apartment door for the first time in
years instead of coming down the
f1re escape. You're wearing a
pressed suit. You have On a clean
snlrt, and you've even shaved"
He rubbed his cheek ruefully. "An'
cut meself, too, I might be bold
enough to add. Jane, I am here on
a very important mission. TT have
something to tell YOU" 4
James laugh tinkled in the room. |
We'll, you don't have to be 80 sad
about it, Jack. Besides, I know what |
you want to tell me-"
An ncredulous expression flewl
into Jacks eyes. Pop-eyed with
amazement, he inched closer to her
on the sofa and dropped a nervous
arm around her shoulders. 'You-l
you do? But Jane, me darlin,, that's
impossible"
.Momma Gambino told me-" Jane
informed, him loftily. "she said |
tnat Eric packed his bags and took
the afternoon plane back to Calf
iornia. SO you see. - Her words
tralled away into gasp as she be-
came aware Of Jacks arm drawing
her tighter to him. She glanced IN
into his worried eyes and sudden
blush stained her cheeks. 1
Jack . :" she whispered, II
thought you wanted to tell me about
Eric"
Il didn't know he left and I am
very sorry he did," Jack said
Stffflv NT am s,,r>