Evening star., 1950-10-05
CHAPTER w.

avoids naming her intended victim. GO
ON WITH THE STORY:
CHAPTER ".
We came out of the bus station
In New York City. well, thanks
for everything" Julie said. She
set her suitcase on the sidewalk
and poked a small, gloved hand
at me. "I guess"
I ignored her hand. "We aren't
saying goodby," I told her, "be-
cause can't say that cordially
without breakfast or brunch"
People were milling about us,
waiting for the traffic lights to
change. I put hand on one of
her arms as soon as green flashed
and pulled her into the street.
She hung back a little but she
didn't say anything and I was too
busy getting us safely across
Eighth avenue to look at her.
When I did, there was something
like fear in her blue eyes.
Relax" I said. Don't let the
traffic scare you"
I'm all right"
Good"
I got her into a restaurant and
ordered ham-and-eggs for two.
She sat across from me, her face
tight with emotion and her chin
set stubbornly. When the waitress
brought the orders, I went ahead
and ate. Julie sat there, staring
at the food. Eventually she ate
everything in sight.
'Not bad" I said when she tln-
ished. Feel better?"
"Yes. I guess I was hungry,
after ALL"
Look" began slowly, 'let's
talk things over. I don't make a
policy of butting into things which
aren't my business, but - New
York is a big city and I'd hate
it if you got started on the wrong
foot"
I'll be all right"
Have you got a place to stay?"
Julie nodded, a little hesitantly.
"Where?"
tits "a hotel"
(Which one?" When she hesi-
tated again. I said: You know
you left Michigan City without
even thinking of a hotel reserva-
ton here. You didn't even bring
half enough clothes with you"
''Yes, but it's-well, none of your
business"
I'm making it my business"
you're very kind, but I'm old
enough"
you aren't old enough to buck
the Big Burg alone. For instance:
How much money have you got?"
Julie was stubborn, but I in
sisted and finally she put her
purse on the table and emptied it.
In addition to the usual assort-
ment of -knacks, it con-
tanned just $21.76.
How long did you expect that
to last?" I ventured.
Long enough-for what I'm 60
ing to do"
Have you got a return ticket
to Michigan City?"
I'm not going back there
ever"
What are you going to do?
Get a job?"
mo" Her eyes looked over my
shoulder and hardened.
You can't live long on $21.76."
who says I have to live?" Julie
frowned. II don't have to, do I,
unless I want to?"
"Yes." said. You have to live.
I want you to-"
Don't be a fool" she cut me
short.
II thought I was hard" I said,
"but you're harder. I asked moth
ing but the privilege of helping
you"
you can't help me. No one
can"
Il think you need a lot of help.
Your emotions are clogged with
hate and fear. It's poisoning your
life. You're sure to ruin your life
and hurt those you love-"
"Love-don't talk to me about
1ove!"
That's just one of the things /
meant. You're like a person who
sits in the dark, cursing because
some one has turned the lights
off, yet won't make any effort to
find the switch and turn them on
again You won't even let me
look for the switch"
My words must have gotten
across because, impulsively, she
put one of her hands on mine.
You're nice" Julie said. I'm
hard, as you said. I've got to be.
You wouldn't want that kind of a
girl. If you're smart, you'll leave
me-quick!"
I'm not smart" I said, "and
can be stubborn, too"
I sat there, wondering what was
going on behind the tight curtain
Of her face.
"All right" she said at length.
"But you're asking for it! I
haven't promised you a thing, not
thing"
'Therell be time for that later.
after I've found the right switch" +"
There's no switch, no light,
nothing" And she began tossing
things back into her purse.
I took her to a large hotel, near
Times Square. where a bellhop
picked up our suitcases and
escorted us briskly to the room
clerks desk.
1.-TWO singles with BATH" said
and laid $40 bill on the counter.
"A friend of mine. a Mr.. 'Aleck'
Hamilton (there's his picture) said
you'd be able to accommodate U.S."
His eyes saw the bill, its Mr..
A II and it, disanpoor rod &C q