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Show DARK GLASSES I By Bertha Hudelson gazed westward, but saw no red car. Only Rod returning slowly In his black one. Jim's impatience had almost risen to the popping point when Rod reached the station. However, before Jim could ask any questions, a third customer arrived a big, bossy looking woman. If the diamonds on her fingers meant anything, he wouldn't need the blonde's carh, after all. Yet when she ordered "A dollar's worth, and make it snappy!" Jim knew Mary's rug was doomed. Well, one thing for sure, he meant never again to run risks with women either the pin-up or sour-puss type. Consequently, as he stood waiting for his money, he kept her gas tank cap cupped in his hand. But his precaution and worry were wasted. She be-grudgingly be-grudgingly handed him her dollar and, before he could replace the cap, was off with a screeching of tires. "Hey I" he yelled to Rod, toss-ing toss-ing him. the cap. "Get this to TATE one autumn afternoon, young Bill Anderson watched a shining red convertible slide gently to a stop beside his high test gasoline pump. He eyed both the car and its sharp looking, yellow-haired driver approvingly. She seemed vaguely familiar, but her dark glasses made him too uncertain to do more than casually cas-ually remark about the weather. He hoped her order would be big. If so, maybe, 1 Just maybe, he could get his Mary their first anniversary an-niversary present, and, when her husky voice told him to "fill it up," his heart sang. Her purchase would make it possible to fulfill his vow, that, If his cash sale, this last day of the first six month's ownership of the station, exceeded any other day. After checking the oil and wiping wip-ing the windshield and windows with great care, he stood courteously cour-teously waiting for his money. But, instead of paying him,, she said lazily, "Charge it!" "Hey! Whose account?" Jim , yelled, astounded, and then so mad that he started after her as ner!" In no time flat Rod was gone and when back again, still looking sheepish, he motioned Jim to his car. "Here! Cash with an apology!" apolo-gy!" and thrust a five dollar bill into Jim's lax hand. "Isn't this what the lady owed?" Jim's hand closed tightly around it as his mouth sagged open. "It's a little more. But I'll be danged! You must have scared her good. I was going to charge that sale up to live and learn. I'll get your change." Rod grinned. "Keep it. She thought you knew her. She's taking tak-ing a four hour vacation from homework and kids, and we've got a date." "Date!" Jim stared in disapproval, disap-proval, which changed to relief when Rod added, "She's my wife, Jan!" and with a jaunty wave was gone. if his legs could move eighty-five miles an hour as the car was doing. Suddenly, realizing his k foolishness, he stopped with a ' jerk that rocked him on his heels. i At that moment his new friend highway patrolman Rod Murphy, drove up. This was luck. Jim heatedly rattled off his problem to the big, burly fellow who, Instantly, In-stantly, with car snorting and t siren blasting, streaked after the run-away blonde. A long conversation took place which puzzled Jim. "Stringing him along, I'll bet," he told a fly resting on his arm, and then viciously vi-ciously swatted it as if it were the fair-haired lady. But he had to stop his worried watching, because of another customer an old man who wanted want-ed water only. After resentfully filling his radiator, he again |
