Evening star., 1941-10-19

-FOUR nights later ne was LII udIlSici STA
ton in Ell Paso, talking to the agent at the
desk, who told him there wasn't full load
west, and said: 'Mebbe. Mebbe not, to
Johnny's questioning as to whether he'd be
going out for Los Angeles that night.
You'd think" said Johnny listening to
the gale outside, ''thered be plenty people
wanting to get out of a burg where the wind
whoops it up like this"
The agent looked Johnny over, from his
bright Broadway shirt to his pointed 14th
Street shoes. Buster" he drawled, this
ain nothin' Down here when rancher and
his two grown sons can't hold goatskin over
a keyhole between them, then they might
admit that the winds comm up"
"Yeah?" said Johnny, with lift to his
lip. He didn't like being called Buster so
he turned and started for the street.
1t was then that he saw the girl sitting in
a corner very meek. Her eyes met his for
moment, and Johnny sensed at once that she
was afraid. Perhap. it was because he too had
a nebulous fear of this trip, and this lonely
Texas land, that he spoke to her.
Where you bound for?" he asked. She
reminded him little of Maria, his younger
sister. whom he hadn't seen for three years.
She said: LOS Angeles, mister" in small
voice.
Johnny turned to the agent. Thought you
only had me?"
The agent shrugged his shoulders. Fares
eight to l.. A. She's only got seven"
Johnny turned back to the girl again. There
was nothing beseeching in her look. Nor did
it have that smart angle, like when touch
is on the way. Just level He liked it at once.
WELL, what the heck" he said. and took
out dollar. Look, sister, don't be dope.
It's loan - see? You can pay it back It's
worth it to get out of this town. With one
more fare. why, we'll roll tonight"
She continued her silent regard. He wished
her blue eyes didn't have that slightly scared
look Finally, and slowly. she shook her head.
Listen" urged Johnny, don't be crazy.
We're going the same place. amt we? Don't
get me wrong. mean you can pay it back
She stood up then. We'll - all right" she
said slowly, and took the dollar giving it to
the agent at the desk.
NdSOWdIl! WdSOWdH! TIC dSCI l UCl-
lowed. and began to write on pad. A gray
haired, tired looking little guy came down the
stairs that led to the regions above.
Here's two for L. A." said the agent.
"And phone call came in for pickup west
of Deming Wanta 60 out on three fares?"
viii ever get full load?" groused the
driver. Gosh, with the IC.C. tryin' to spot
you, and bus drivers turnin' you in. and the
state highway patrol tryin' to wildcat your
car, and no sleep. and no ="
YEAH" Johnny cut in YEARLY. Il been
hearing that tune from drivers all the way
from New York. If you got car, let's roll,
my friend"
"Okay," said Mcgowan. Come with me-"
A half hour later they were out of Ell Paso
and over the New Mexico state line. The girl
beside Johnny wasn't talking, she just sat
there staring at the night. The last man-made
lights dropped behind them. except for an air
beacon flash. Johnny offered cigarettes. She
declined them.
Johnny lighted one for himself. Sister"
he said, you're on the downbeat. Trouble?
Sometimes it helps to talk trouble to sonie-
one you don't know at all"
mo. No trouble" Her voice was SOFT
and her eyes seemed questing. He could see
them in the glow as he took deep drag
and she must have sensed friendliness for she
said: Il just want to see people. Lots of
people. All together And all at once. My