Show WATCH THE CURVES I By Richard Hoffmann Copyright b by Richard Hoffmann 8 Seri ca SYNOPSIS Following hi bl fathers father bitter frill frill- lira ism m of ot hi his bl Idle Id lit life and th the th with of financial Hat lIal Ir Ire Ireland land Ind only son ion of ot a wealthy wealth banker find End himself practically without funds but bat with the th of ot a situation In Sao San Francisco which city he h. mutt must teach reach from New Nw York fork within a dell nits nit tim time limit He Its takes takei 1 passage with witha a eross country eroM-country auto party on a hare ibare basis bail With five Ere other mem mm bert bor of the party part an n attractive girl Dar Barry Trafford middle middle aged aged Oils Ollei Kerrigan Sister Bitter Anastasia a nun nani and an aD Individual whom h he h. Instinctively dislikes Martin Crack he h. torte starts his hil Journey Journ Darr Barry reticence anno annoys annoy him To Kerrigan he h. take takee at once one but beis he h. 1 is I. unable to shake hake oft orf a feeling of or un en easiness CHAPTER II Continued II-Continued 5 5 lie Fie followed Hal 1101 Into the lunchroom with the embarrassed friendliness of ot ofa ota a whipped hound Relief Belief didn't at once come to the atmosphere with Hal's Hals entrance Cracks Crack's narrow look at t Hal's Hals face tace was uncertain though one hand band Indolently jostled the golf golf- ball And Barry Barry Ilal Hal laughed at himself him him- self elt for tor having baling forgotten that this thing was to be used against her and he be barely kept himself from looking at ather ather her ber showing her ber his sincere forgetful forget forget- ful anger He lie smiled amiably at Mrs lUrs saying What not started eating yet No No she said laid as It If weariness had bad come to her In the short abort time hed he'd been gone I we I we were wondering wondering- Her Iler look went In timorous question to Miller Stiller then back to lint HaL We were Just just just-just Just waiting for tor you yon yon she saidI said I 1 wish you hadn't said Mid Hal gently gentl Miller and Ive I've Just been arranging 9 p sort Bort of transfer he hes he's taking my place and nd Tm rm taking his lIe He added Ive got cot the fares tares He lie saw Mrs believe and recover The nuns nun's head was W up and her ber gentle eyes on Hal's Hals In something like proud gratitude as DB It If he had fore tore teen seen and spared her humiliation Pul Put alpher gave a series Berles of quick single lIngle coughs looked pleased and hopeful again and Crack leaned away awny from the counter his hili set close-set eyes ees basking on lists Hal's In their own speculative 1411 ness Hal lIat turned his back on Barry Darry wondering wh why the devil he had to start trembling now It was all over He lie prayed he would stop It before Barr Barry noticed it ft he felt her watching him Kerrigan came to his side aide as u the others moved back toward the tables He lie tried It ey Ills His tone was Judicial Judi judi- cial but his brown eyes above the tough florid cheeks were nimble with some ome special laughter Hal lIal looked at him frankly and humorously hu ha quizzical Yes Ves the louse he be said the Joke I was wall wondering how ho long you'd keep from looking at her hero Kerrigan a Bald eald Itt lint Hal gave a a tight sheepish smile and antl let his look answer Just wanted to gather myself a little lit littie tie tle and make the first one right he inlet aid t. t Kerrigan nodded brief commendation Youve Youfe got old Spot landing where he lie wont won't try this again 1 Mm said IBid II Hal ha aI gathering up his change Got his hits money and his hI papers and and the keys hes Got an Idea about what we e might do too Like to ask rou you later I Without any de definite demonstration welcomed the Kerrigan we Good he said Hungry I Yes Yee said Hal lIal remembering that he be was You Yes t Ever Every one Including Miller was seated at one of ot the big white enamel tables when they started back I Gathered yourself Kerrigan said laId without looking nt at him Guess BO so said Hal smiling a little I Go 00 sit beside her then said Kerrigan Ker Ker- rigan n. n HIght said Hal lIal I lIe He pulled out the er em- em chair beside betide be be- tide side Barry In Barry In next t 1 wall mind It If I sit here he be said as Ug hg formal as u be he could manage I She look looked d around at al him without hurry the parting of ot her lips delayed again till after the first smiling of ot her ber blue yellow flecked ellow eyes No o she Bald In near-husky near ease ense I I 1 Thank you said Hal still casual I Id I'd Id I'd like to thank you jou OU she said quietly For what What youve you've Just done done- Please dont don't be he said Why not noU she said Bald He lIe turned to her his look bland bland to to to deny understanding of ot whatever significance sig her eyes might show him Hut But there was no special significance only deliberate Interest as If It she really really real real- ly wanted to know why not And he had bad a new Idea exciting for tor Its simplicity sim sim- lIe He watched her n tn Instant longer then let Ingenuous smiling dissolve dissolve dis dis- solve Ive all his formality Ill III tell you exactly wh why he said leaning a little forward Because I didn't think Miller had the wit to try what he did Because I should have stood tood there like a wooden Indian and let him get away with It If It you hadn't looked hooked at me the way you yon OD did There But Dut I ask you rou please not to look at atme atme atno no me that way any more It If you can help It it because Its It's rotten for tor my temper tem tem- per tier Her lips parted further over height bright teeth and there was a thing of defense defense de de- left In her hr look And after he be had bad Involuntarily felt the compliment In her candid glens pleasure Ire he be realized bow how beautifully that leisured light behind behind behind be be- hind her er cores free ayes tree of coquetry traced t with reticent Interest suited the soft clear den composure of her face Tats all darned honest ot of yon rou she said laid Arent you yon used to It It honesty honesty said Bald Hal Ital She dropped her eyes eYel closed her lips but she was still smiling when she he looked up again Tl There ere was nothing noth noth- ing lag conscious or dramatic about her ber saying No not No not especially But Dut that doesn't stop top my liking It It Im glad he said That makes It easy to be honest again Honesty Is II Ismy Ismy my curse On curse one Q of ot them Her er smile and the light behind It slowly lowly disappeared She watched him hima a moment not thinking of ot what hed he'd said Bald I r like Rice She began and Ind then the waitress waitress' arm drove between them her finger stabbing an Item on the bill Mil of fare tare that Barry held Corn beet beef Is I. veal chops is I. out Out Oot where said Bald Hal lIal Veal chops Is I. finished she said Barry Darry moved the card so BO he could look at It It too her eyes ejes on It but uninterested Hal Ilal glanced up quickly across and down the table Crack wasn't watching them but Hal lIal knew he be had been o o s The hotel couldn't take them all and Mrs was Vas certain It would be too dear any way but down the therond road rond a little they found cabins the 71 c sign BrItO convinced Mrs and the sign Showers convinced HaL lIaL Pairing the party was easy the Pul- Pul alphers for one cabin Barry Darry and SIster Sister Sister Sis SIs- ter Anastasia for another then list Hal Haland and Kerrigan with Miller left for Crack Miller started for tor his bed at once peeling his coat awkwardly as ashe ashe ashe he went Miller Mitten I 1 Hal called calle after him The Theman Theman Theman man turned grinning sleepy cleverness cleverness clever dever ness which lint Hal hoped was merely his continued attempt at Ingratiation Bags Hal said Aint gonna need em Jus' Jus for the theone theone one night he lie said Bald I r dont don't need mine Get em out out said Bald Hal lIal and Miller went about It It It still grinning As AI he undressed Hal lIal Inspected the night nigh shelter with quiet a awe we The three three- burner kerosene stove on the stained C JJ Fr w wI I j II r I I 1 Wish You Gently Hadn't Said Hal I shelf shelf black black oiled dust thick on Its and crusty tracings of many over oer on top an Introduction Intro Intro- to realism Some part of ot every thread In the carpet with so much unbeaten dust scuffed Into It that you rou wondered how you rou could be sure Bure the thing was not an an- tique On the bureau a tureau a a shelf Bhelt covered covered cov COT ered with spotted oilcloth and dignified with a murderous fragment of ot mirror mirror- lay Iny a broken comb some hairpins and part of a pink elastic garter Hal lIal sat himself naked on the prickly blanket of ot his bed and In a moment a 5 kle of ot sweat darted down the wide mid wid- e of ot his chest All the places all gross ross the continent cant can't be like Uke this he thought Poverty Is pitiable In a line front-line dugout or in the slum room of ot some gome one who clings to old habits habit of tidiness but when It begins to fringe off Into squalor pitiable's not the won word Millers Miller's probably asleep now v comfortable here with his clothes on But the others the others the Trafford Trafford Trafford ford girl the good nun none of ot them not even efen complacent dreaming Crack can be be be- Kerrigan came back from the shower show V. er his graying hair In damp curls on his forehead his cheeks glowing Hello lIello Colonel said Mid Hal lIal smiling II Hows ow's the shower I wouldn't like to guess what they keep there In winter Kerrigan said but It If you rou hear tear the tile federal men It its it's easy to tail ball out The door Into the front store swings open whenever you happen to think Cracks Crack's In there now but he said hed he'd send lend up a rocket rocket rock rork et when he be was finished finished- lie He dug duga a freshly laundered suit ot of blue and white striped pajamas out of his bag and tossed them to the bed Hal looked at them gratefully their freshness like a small pool In the baking wooden wood en room What was your thought about what next Kerrigan asked Oh said IBid link HaL Something like this thin I shouldn't think an any of lm em would be disappointed It If we dropped Miller and his bla car I know a fella In Ina Ina ina a company In Detroit know Detroit know him well enough to ask uk him a favor tavor What would you lou OU think If It I pot gut ot him to put I d second second hand baud car ear and us u. on to I a g good goad till we get tet It trust us UI for the price to the Coast and sell lell It It M Miller the was going to make a profit on fares we ought to be able to break even anyway And If he be cin fi find d the way we can What think The scheme of a genius a titan Kerrigan rumbled taking cigarettes from his hi coat We can try It it said HaL Only look look look-It If we could tell the not others not tell them that lt It ft's through a friend of ot mine were we're getting the car cart If It we could say lay you yon and I were chipping In 10 Inon Inon on a bargain and Ind expected a profit on the Coast with were friendly Kerrigan's eyes eel approval You Yon mean the you are are you to Ireland tion r he said Hal lIal nodded Then a shadow fell on Kerrigan s look and he turned his head bead dubiously toward the door saying III HI there nippers Finished The door was ajar and ard Cracks Crack's head heRd was stuck around It Yes Yell said Crack smiling with tentative amiability asIt as asif asit It if he hoped to be asked in Thank you very much said Hal lIal The door closed without sound Hal lIal Haland Haland and Kerrigan looked at t each other both listening After a moment Hal lIal said In a subdue subdued sub sub- dup due tone What does he carr carry that sill golf-ball golf for Kerrigan shook his head Why do you rou suppose that oaf oat In 10 New York picked on him to be with the Trafford gal Dont know said Hal lIal Except the only man Ite Ive seen this year ear stupider than Larsen Is Miller There was a car cor at the gas pumps and and lint Hal In yellow slicker and red red- leather slippers walked across the grass with the headlights full tull on him feeling as RI if It he were on the stage of ot the Hollywood BowL DowL He lie found the Gents' Gents place all that Kerrigan had said of ot It But nut the water that fell tell on him from the shower was cool and pristine pristine pris pris- tine and g good od like Uke delicious rain And Andas Andas Andas as he re reveled In it be he piously acknowledged acknowledged acknowledged ack ack- the miracle that made so BO simple a thing as cool water a tonic for tor body a wine for spirit an essence of ot Immaculate luxury The flow of ot his shower slackened as the sound of raining began In the next compartment beyond the partition parti Lion tion that didn't bother to reach the ceiling lie He heard a short breath taken tak tak- en en ot of pleasure and eagerness and then Barrys Barry's near husky voice quietly sad sail Oh Ob d n d-n n It It ft ItHal Hal lIal gave a single l of ot pleasure Can I help be he said Where are you she said Next door What's happened I 1 walked Into this b b this this so-and- so so 80 shower with m my darned wrist watch on Ah Alt making cry said Bold Hal lIal Sorry You dont don't sound BOund It It but thanks just the same fame Gosh Isn't It good the good the Water water water wa Wa- ter Beautiful he said sincerely Beau Denu As beautiful as anAs n as-as- as As cool water running over you after after aft aft- er a hot day In an old car with seven people and a dog Wheres the do dog Here here having having his shower too He Ill loves showers Hal lIal chuckled Id like to see see see-I'd Id I'd like like like- Well yes es Good said Barry Darry Im gIn glad d. d Glad of what wha Glad you cant can't I haven't Im I'm Im I'm not not not- What I 1 not at all am amWell Well practically not she Bhe said Just Jodhpurs and an old Jacket bed I suppose you'll be going In for tor comedy In Hollywood Hal lIal said Who told you OU I was going to Hollywood Hollywood Holly Holly- wood she said at once guarded You did r f 1 You didn't say It with your mouth but everything else about you rou did said HaL lIaL Oh Oh she said laid coon coolly Youre one of ot those people who knows lots and lots about other people just by br lookIng look look- Ing lug a at t them No o he said Im mostly pretty unobservant For a moment she said nothing under under un un- der the cool showering of water Then curiously a snob What do you want want want-an an epigram No I want to know what you say saya a snob Is A snob he said thinking a snob Is la what envious people call some one who minds his bin own business and only cultivates people he likes Who made that nat up I 1 did Her IIer tone wasn't flippant merely Interested Interested interested In In- To fit t yourself Nho Hal laughed Wh Why Just wondered Sometimes today you were what I thought a snob might be You weren't so darn nice to the and they were ready to be benice benice benice nice to you You didn't let down for tor Kerrigan till you OU saw he wasn't going to run after atter you And AndI And And- I 1 wasn't asking anybody to run after after after aft aft- er me said Hal lIal I dont don't think Id I'd like It And what And what else And you made me mad Im sorry orry he said happily But nut I 1 was was was-I I wasn't trying not to You were making me mad land even before you looked at me there where we had dinner Ah How lIow Want It honest or pretty Whichever you ou like she said carelessly care care- lessly Guess which It Is then said lIa Ilat Hal HalI I thought you were too sure of ot your looks looks wondering wondering all the time which of us you'd have to keep from get getting gettin- tin fresh That made me mad Because you ou wanted me to be pleased and surprised when you OU told we |