Evening star., 1941-12-28
SALUTE FOR
WILLIE
Continued from pogs six

"Oh, we'd die for Our Lieutenant"
contributed O'Brien. Miss Hollister,
he's one of our best"
''You do remember. don't you, Lieu
tenant?" Jones asked him.
"Well. you see." Willie assayed an
amused tone of voice - it sounded
more as if he were suffering from an
unknown adenoidal disease I'D
forgotten when ! asked you men to
join me that at the really good places
they won't admit enlisted men. so -"
''Oh, that's all right" said Jones
quickly. I'VE don't care much about
those joints. There are plenty of
places here on Broadway where they're
glad to get enlisted mems trade.
See. Lieutenant. right over there?"
Duck" said Mcgowan, "for New
Years"
"Um-m-ml Lobster" said O'Brien.
"I'm not very hungry" said Jones,
80 you eat and I'll sort of dance with
the lieutenant's girl. That is if Miss
Hollister has no prejudice against
dancing with AN enlisted man."
'Of course notr' laughed Carol.
"I'd love it. Come on, Lieutenant"
Willie knew he was being had. and
for plenty, but he followed; he did
not lead his faithful men. 1t took ten
dollars just to get table. Willie
knew. as the ordering went on, that
ten dollars was but the beginning.
Jones was mentioning champagne.
Mcgowan said something about
jerebeam "Magnum," said O'Brien.
''is the word"
Miss Hollister doesn't drink" said
Willie coldly. land don't care to-"
but TOE do. Lieutenant" said Jones
blithely. He turned to Carol then:
within reason, of course. And about
dancing? Would you care to moose
around with me?"
The couple rose and left them.
well. Captain-I mean, Major"
O'Brien was leaning contentedly back
I'VE are happily met, it seems, this
evening. You just about saved our
lives, You see, we spent lot of moo
lah getting around the town. and -"
WILLIE leaned forward rather fierce
ly. Listen to me, you two. and pass
the news to Jones when I'm dancing.
know that you've got me on spot.
There's something you know, too.
You saw me in the regimental fights.
can take any two of you at once,
and polish off the other when I'm
through. One slip, see, one tip-off to
the lady. and this place will turn into
a brawl. So. you play ball, and Ill
play ball"
1--WE get it," said Mcgowan.
so let's all relax suggested
O'Brien. "And have ourselves time"
There was line of girls who came
out and waved legs around to the in
finite delight of Mcgowan. O'Brien
and Jones. There we're two bands
braying out music. There were paper
streamers and balloons. There were
duck and lobster on the table, and
yes. magnum of champagne, and
after what seemed like an eternity,
there was Carol on the floor in Willie's
arms. He knew, then, that it was
worth it-whatever this party was 60
ing to cost, just to hold her while the
band played Blue, Believe Me. and
other stuff of which young dreams are
made.
She said, murmuring upwards,
"Your men seem to have more fun
than you do. OF course, there's your
dignity, l suppose. But all three of
them, Lieutenant. adore you. Each
one has told me so himself. You
know, you're really rather wonderful.
Marcia is very lucky girl"
"Awr' went Willie, neck lobster
ing as red as the one on O'Brien's
crowded plate.
II mean it," said Carol softly,
and against him her young breast
Il -