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Show , " "" o,-M. if it is Crystal to whom Claude is Pi m r n efe AC n-- synopsis: , .. 0)!rf 00I()J ,1C). 4o lC). LEtOUNHL -B -..UH Otl I MetrcGoldwyn-Mayer ERSffiS StfKS FRANCES BARBOUR - - --- ---m-""",-""" n,...,,...v.-.-.-.-.yAy.y'.- I f " " ,Jr i fiv. , ' - ,. ', - J J ? -e " f J J i , ' " " 1 I I 5 f I f J j y ; ij J ; ; '.l J f v i i i ' y ! y l! j t ' J j -- - . - ' s - . ' , - i III ' "E's a gentleman, ma'am, as you can see." "He must be quite a big fellow," Crystal made a noise like a "iot a sound," Crystal cautioned. ' He miglil forget l.im.clj RnJ S,mAnc;, JU, Than BonJ PHBPTER Raymond thought nervously. husband. and kill you. The doorbell had rung once too often and Crystal finally jumped up in exasperation. She'd have to put the fellow in his place, herself. She flung open the door, then stood back and blinked. There "was a ridiculous, pudgy little man with himt smoking an evil cigai "And who might you be?" she demanded as they edged into the entrance hall. The smaller man bowed. "Mr. 'erbert Jenkins, Bailiff, ma'am, if ye please. And this gentleman here is a sheriff's officer. Mr. Raymond hm Ferguson." The young man now proceeded to read the writ which stated that all of Mrs. Crystal Wetherby's chattels were forfeit for the sum of four hundred and eighty-three pounds, owing to creditors. In-a panic, Crystal listened. With her wedding only a few days away, this meant ruin. She glared at both of them. ".Now get out. I'll send you a check in the morning. morn-ing. Good night." Neither budged. "Very sorry, ma'am," the Bailiff said mournfully, "but I 'ave to leave my man 'ere until I get the money." Crystal went rigid. Was the fellow touched in the head? "You have to what?" He stood his ground. "It's the law. Ma'am. My man stays 'ere to see nuthink's moved from the house." Crystal all but shrieked, "You want to leave him in this house? Are you insane?" Mr. Jenkins chanted stolidly, "It's not me, Ma'am it's the law. You can get rid of 'im at any time by payin' the money in full-plus full-plus his fee, eight and six pence per diem." Raymond interjected politely, "Very reasonable, you must agree." From the door, Mr. Jenkins called out, odiously cheerful, "Well good night. There you are, young man hi possession." Crystal faced them, her face flaming. "Just a moment.. You'd both better go back to your Sheriff and tell him if he wants to take possession of me he'd better come himself!" Whirling around, she flew up the stairs. Once in her room, Crystal paced the floor desperately. There vnisf, be some way to get rid of this Raymond Ferguson. Inspiration joggled ( 10S7, ltirwa. Inc. her wits. Slowly, she drew off her dress and slipped into a negligee. Raymond was staring at the stuffed tigers and other jungle animals mounted on the wall, as she glided into the living room, a few moments later. "Well, Mr. Sheriff's Officer?" she asked pleasantly, "Are you comfortable?" com-fortable?" He smiled and waved an arm at the trophies. "Just admiring them. Must have cost a tidy sum." Crystal studied her nails. "Cost? Oh, my husband shot them." Raymond gulped and paled. "Your husband?" hus-band?" Crystal nodded. "He's one of the world's very best marksmen." He said, stiffly. "That's very interesting." There, Crystal told herself, that had put him in his place. She rose. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your room. It's just off the butler's pantry " He was trailing at her heels. "And where do you sleep?" Crystal turned. "Upstairs, of course." He made a sweeping gesture. "Then must sleep upstairs. I must stay as close to you as possible." He wagged a finger as she flushed with anger. Ah! Ah! Can I help it? It's my duty, I must keep my eyes on you all the time and I love my work." Baffled, Crystal led the way to the guest room. "I'll lend you some pajamas," she said with edged sarcasm. "Er tell me " Raymond said hurriedly, "is your husband in Africa?" Crystal smiled sweetly. "rn Africa? Oh, no. He's not in Africa. Good night." The door closed. Slowly, Raymond donned the huge pajamas and stood looking down at the place where his ankles should have been. Miserably, he sank onto the edge of the bed. And in her own room, Crystal leaned against her door. She'd have to settle him, once and for all. Little fairy feet were pattering up her spine as she thought of him. He was much too disturbing. Quickly, she pulled out a pair of her late husband's boots, slipped down the stairs then ascended them again, tramping heavily up and down the hall. , Back in her room, Crystal said in a loud, affectionate voice, "Oh yes j S ' : .... : : darling I'll be back in a minute. Please don't be impatient, dear." She-allowed She-allowed a few moments to pass, then knocked on the guest room door. It .was opened immediately as if Raymond had bc-an listening. He had. "My husband! My husband!" she exclaimed in a dramatic whisper. Raymond clung to the door jamb and stuttered, with unconvincing fearlessness, fear-lessness, "Well, w-what of it" Crystal cried softly, "Oh you don't know him. He's a great big, powerful man and fearfully jealous. Something Some-thing awful might happen. Please, please, for my sake, go downstairs." Raymond made a show of hesitation. "Well" But Crystal grabbcd.at his arm desperately, "Please, please! For my sake." . He threw out his chest. "For your sake? Anything for your sake, my lady." Gleefully, Crystal watched him descend the stairs. There, that had done it. She had put a husband in his way and there'd be no mora of this flirtation nonsense. But as she trailed back into her room, she felt curiously depressed. Standing in the butler's room, Raymond glanced around him with dissatisfaction. It was small and bare and a distinct letdown after the comfort of the luxurious guest room upstairs. Then he stared despairingly despair-ingly at the bed. "The trouble with people today," he thought bitterly, "is that they don't know how to treat their servants." The cot was a thin, iron affair, very narrow and very short. On it was a cheap, hard mattress and no bedding. With mistrust in his soul, Raymond Ray-mond tried it. He jumped up angrily. "Why it's even too short. I won't stay in this room no matter what happens." He stalked out of the room and up the stairs. But on the landing, he suddenly stopped dead. A heavy boot had just come sailing out of Crystal's door. A second later, the other followed. Leaping three feet in the air, Raymond hurtled down the stairs. (Raymond lias beat a hasty retreat. Will he discover the truth about Crystal's mythical husband and pursue his quest Jor zest? See the next hilarious installment.) fo s - - |