| OCR Text |
Show RICHARD HOFFMANN L -.,r,HT Yljjl7''"' HorFWANN Tmimi ;n-V' 5tH- a broken' comb, some hairpins, and part of a pink elastic garter. Hat sat himself nuked on t!ie ! prickly blanket of his bed, and in a moment a trickle of sweat darted down the middle of his chest. All the places nil across the continent can't be like this, he thought. Poverty Pov-erty Is pitiable, In a front-line dugout dug-out or In the slum room of some one who clings to old habits of tidiness; tidi-ness; but when It begins to fringe off Into squalor, pitiabie's not the word. Miller's probably asleep now comfortable here, with his clothes on. But the others the Trafford girl, the good nun; none of them, not even complacent, dreaming dream-ing Crack can be Kerrigan came back from the shower, his graying hair In damp curls on his forehead, his cheeks glowing. "Hello. Colonel " khM TT.il smtl. u rist-wa t' ii on." "Ah, cry-making." id Hal. "Sorry." "You don't sound it. but thanks Jusl the same. Cos!., isn't It good tin water?" "Beautiful," he said sincerely. "Beautiful. As beautiful as as " "As cool water running over yon after a hot day In an old car with seven people and a dog." "Where's the dog?" "Here having his shower too. He loves showers." Hal chuckled. "I'd like to see I'd like Well, yes." "Good," said Barry; "I'm glad." "Glad of what?" "Glad you can't I haven't I'm not" "What! Not at ail?" "Well, practically not," she said. "Just Jodhpurs and an old bed-Jacket." bed-Jacket." "I suppose you'll be going In for comedy In Hollywood," Hal said. "Who told you I was going to Hollywood?" she said, at once SYNOPSIS - .,.,, his father's bitter crlti-'''f crlti-'''f s Idle life, and the notlfi-' notlfi-' ,Ll he need not expect any financial assistance, Hal ' i only son of a wealthy bank- 'i "mself practically without '""ml with the promise of a sit- 1 n San Francisco, which city ' 1 reach, from New York, 1 '".definite time limit. He takes i ' silh a cross-country auto a "share expense" basis. i ,i9 companions excite his ' ,. a young, attractive girl, '- Trafford; middle-aged Giles ' "' Sister Anastasia, a nun; ', individual whom he instlnc-: instlnc-: '. dislikes, Martin Crack. Barry's ,-ce annoys him. In Kerrigan ','.'j,a fellow man-of-the-world, - ",im he takes at once. ing. "How's the shower?" "I wouldn't like to guess what they keep there in winter," Kerrigan Kerri-gan said, "but If you hear the federal fed-eral men, It's easy to bail out. The door into the front store swings open whenever you happen to think. Crack's in there now, but he said he'd send up a rocket when he was finished. What was your thought about what next?" "Oh," said Hal. "Something like this. I shouldn't think any of 'em would be disappointed If we dropped Miller and his car. I know a fella In a company In Detroit know him well enough to ask him a favor. What would you think If I got him to put ns on to a good sec- Hal gave a tight, sheepish smile and let his look answer Kerrigan's. "Just wanted to gather myself a little and make the first one right," he said. Kerrigan nodded brief commendation. commenda-tion. "You've got old Spot-landing where he won't try this again?" "Mm," said Hal, gathering up his change. "Got Ills money and his papersand pa-persand the keys. Got an Idea about what we might do, too. Like to ask you later." 1 Without any definite demonstration, demonstra-tion, Kerrigan welcomed the "we." i "Good," he said. "Hungry?" 'Yes," said Hal, remembering that 1 he was. "You?" "Yes." Every one, including Miller, was seated at one of the big, white-enamel white-enamel tables when they started back. 3 "Gathered yourself?" Kerrigan i said without looking at him. "Guess so," said Hal, smiling a i little. 1 "Go, sit beside her, then," said ; Kerrigan, r "Right," said Hal. 1 He pulled out the empty chair - beside Barry In next the wall. "D'you mind if I sit here?" he said, 5 as lightly formal as he could man-f man-f age. t She looked around at him without f hurry, the parting of her lips de-1 de-1 Iayed again till after the first sroll-s sroll-s Ing of her blue, yellow-flecked eyes. - "No," she said In near-husky ease. "Thank you," said Hal, still casual. '- cnAPTER II Continued in be was good and angry flooding his joints and his ,;e with warm lubricant. By their best clothes, probably, their money snatched from 3 jy this animal, this drugged ;' is tie raised himself from the ' . Hal had a savage wondei ,er Kerrigan would like to fill '. . ;jje in his collection of experl-' experl-' .6y killing Miller. Zi next act suggested Itself as ; as If he'd done this sort oi .often. He doubled his rlghl , ,;er and. kneeling on one o1 limp seats, leaned forward anc M the knuckle against Miller's 2 . Miller didn't start or trem " it look around, but the car be i. wearily to slow down. iiM "You did." "I didn't." "You didn't say it with your mouth, but everything else about you did," said Hal. "Oh," she said coolly. "You're one of those people wbo knows lots and lots about other people Just by looking at them." "No," he said. "I'm mostly pretty pret-ty unobservant." For a moment she said nothing under the coo showering of water. Then curiously, "What's a snob?" "What do you want an epigram?" epi-gram?" "No, I want to know what you say a snob Is." "A snob," he said, thinking "a snob Is what envious people cnl', some one who minds his own business busi-ness and only cultivates people he likes." "Who made that up?" "I did." Her tone wasn't flippant, merely Interested: "To fit yourself V "N'ho," Hal laughed. "Wlw?" "Just wondered. Sometimes today to-day you were what I thought a snob might be. You weren't so darn nice to the Pulslphers, and they were ready to be nice to you. You didn't let down for Kerrigan till you saw he wasn't going to run after you. And " "I wasn't asking anybody to run after me," said Hal. "I don't think I'd like It And what else?" "And you made me mad " "I'm sorry," he said happily. "But I was I wasn't trying not to. You were making me mad, even before be-fore you looked at me there, where we had dinner." "Ah? How?" "Wnnt It honest or pretty?" "Which ever you like," she said carelessly. "Guess which It Is, then," said i Hal. "I thought you were too sure I of your looks wondering all the ; time which of us you'd have to keep from getting fresh. That made I me mad." "Because you wanted me to be pleased and surprised when you ' told me about my looks? Because s you didn't want It made hard to get fresh ?" r "Then I wasn't wrong. We can - start all over again." i "All over," she said. He shower ? stopped and Hal's came more ; strongly. Then she made a squeak - of horror. "What now? Bed-Jacket wet?" j "No, but I've got a chill and no - towel Gosh! What would Lubitsch do?" "Keep the chill," said Hal, "you'll need It I'll toss you a towel over j the top." He reached the harsh, gray towel I Kerrigan had got for him and swung an end of It Into her coin-3 coin-3 partment. "Got it?" "Oh. thanks," she said, "a lot." , "You'll remember this and not be boompslsh with me tomorrow?" "Yes. No. I mean I won't be j whatever you said. I'm sorry I was." "Don't be," said Hal. J "All right, I won't." Then, In a moment, her soft voice said, "I'm j going now. Good night. Thanks for a lovely shower." "Iley, my towel," said Hal. ? "You want It back?" she said, f mildly Incredulous. , "Oh, goodness, yes." "But " she paused and Hal walt-t walt-t ed a moment. "It's mv towel, Isn't It?" he said r without sympathy. The end of the towel flopped ' into sight. "It's wet," she said. j "Good night." "Good night. Barry,' he said. He stopped his shower and took j the towel. It was damp, faintly fragrant as he brought it near. He hesitated: Why was it wrong to use it? The sparkling of his gray 1 eyes went faintly sober; and. fold- ! ing the towel, he stuffed it Into the pocket of his slicker. Suddenly Barry's voice came casually over the top of the partition again. 1 "What's your first name?" "Oh, hello," he said as If she'd caught him at something. "Hal. Henry. Hal. Why? No, I didn't j mean that." j "Didn't mean what?" , "The 'why.' " j "Night," she said. Tlen?ant dree-unis. "Same to you. nil Garho." He heard her door close and latch. Slicking the loose water from his skin with his hands, the impulse to chuckle kept nudging comfortably at his stomach. And we shall meet again, I trust. 1 (TO BE COMLWED) "I I'd like to thank you," she said quietly. "For what?" "What you've just done." "Please don't," he said. "Why not?" she said. "I'll tell you exactly why," he said, leaning a little forward. "Because "Be-cause I didn't think Miller had the wit to try what he did. Because I should have stood there like a wooden Indian and let him getaway with It If you hadn't looked at me the way you did. There. But I ask you please not to look at me that way any more If you can help It, because It's rotten for my temper." Her lips parted further over bright teeth, and there was nothing of defense left In her look. Anc after he had Involuntarily felt the compliment in her candid pleasure, he realized how beautifully thai leisured light behind her eyes free of coquetry, traced with reticent Interest suited the soft, clear composure com-posure of her face. "That's all darned honest of you,' she said. ' "Aren't you used to It honesty?' said Hal. She dropped her eyes, closed hei lips, but she was still smiling wher she looked up again. There was nothing conscious or dramatic aboul her saying, "No not especially. Bui that doesn't stop my liking It." "I'm glad," he said. "That makes It easy to be honest again. Honestj Is my curse one of them." Her smile, and the light behind It slowly disappeared. She watchec him a moment, not thinking of whai he'd said. "I like . . ." She began and then the waitress' arm drov between them, her finger stabblnj an Item on the bill of fare thai Barry held. "Corn-beef is delicious veal chops is out." "Out where?" said Hal. "Veal chops is finished," she said Barry moved the card so he coulc look at It, too, her eyes on It, bui uninterested. Hal glanced up quick ly across and down the table Crack wasn't watching them; bin Hal knew, be had been. The hotel couldn't take them all and Mrs. Pulsipher was certain I would be too dear any way; bu down the road a little they fount cabins; the 7fic sign convinced Mrs Pulsipher and the sign "Showers' convinced Hal. Pairing the part; was easy; the Pulsiphers for om cabin, Harry and Sister Anastask for another, then Hal and Kerrl gan, with Miller left for Crack. Mil ler started for his bed at once, peel lug his coat awkwardly as he went "Miller!" Hal called after him The man turned, grinning sleep; cleverness which Hal hoped wa: merely his continued attempt at in gratiation. "Bags," II n 1 said. "Ain't gonna need 'em jus' for tin one night," he said. "I don't neei mine." "Get 'em out," said Hal ; and Mil ler went about It, still grinning. As he undressed, Hal Inspeetei the night shelter with quiet awe Some part of every thread In tin carpet showed, with so much tin beaten dust sculTed Into It that yot wondered how you could be sun the thing was not antique. On tin "bureau" a shelf covered witl spotted oilcloth and dignified witl ; -Pill up to the side," Hal said, ,.:it flattening out the anger In tolce. :!;!!er obeyed gently, as If he iiteen chauffeur to old ladles, f Ssw," said Hal, "I want your . et with all the money, your J e, and your registration." yi't'i futile fingers took out i". lit, shabby wallet and spread j; tompartments to show every-1 every-1 :i Hal put It into an inside ; iet and took his knuckles from 1-r'j ribs. ,t Into the other seat," said Miller obeyed,, with a strange, ',, i; air of gratitude. Hal stepped of the tonneau and got into the 't without looking at Miller's ' ,, . fcr been in jail?" Hal asked s the car started. ls," said Miller, very low. "ft"! to go again?" l V said Miller, 'il ran past a farm road, backed - cur Into It, and swung out on 5l?lvay ngaln toward the town, "pnrted his lips with a sticky ''1 and cleared his throat. , "'ns Jus' tnkin her up the to klntla try out an' see . . ." '"""'t speak unless you're spoken Hal quietly. "Get it?" H" Miller whispered. followed Hal Into the luneh-11 luneh-11 with the embarrassed frlend-of frlend-of a wl'lpped hound. Relief 1 at once come to the at-with at-with Hal's entrance. s narrow look at Hal's face "'"wrtahi, though one hand In- ' ' ' ' Jostled the golfball. And tlnl laughed at himself for - forgotten that this thing was -; used against her; and he t ' "lit himself from looking at :,;''lng her his sincere, for- "J1 Msw. He smiled amiably 1 ''"Isipher, saying: "What? , M"N eating yet?" "No," she s if weariness had come to ..,!lu sllnrt time he'd been ' " In I e WPre wnillerlng- " . ,n"k "fnt In timorous ques-,' ques-,' Ml'W, then back to Hal. : ",,rP Just-just waiting for , e said. hadn't," said ITa! r . 'Miller and I've just been r, a sort of transfer: he's Place and I'm taking his." , "I've got the fares." : s'uv Mrs. rulslpher believe , j lr- 1 be nun s head was 1ut gentle eyes on Hal's In ;j 'Klike proud gratitude, as If ! .""n ""(1 spared her hu-; hu-; (-'rack leaned away from : a n- his close-set eyes bnsk- ' ijjin ln t,lelr own specula-.,t specula-.,t r l'ss- Hal turned his back ., wondering why the devil Ksl, 0 stiirt trembling, now It 'l'ltiJfer' I,e Prayeil lie would f v, e H"rry noticed It: he Ti'chlng hIm. N came to his side as the ; r,' back toward the ta-Wei ta-Wei It, 'ey?" Ills tone !f the I b,U hls Drown eyes '! .,ou?h- florid cheeks were !sl Ion ,Bme s"eclnl laughter. t;"foiKiv Rt hlm' frankly and 'vZ qulMcal. "Yes, the ''was. ?' "Wlmt' the Joke?" i!i m klng at her," Kerrigan "I Wish You Hadn't," Said Hal Gently. : ond-hand car and trust ns for the price till we get It to the Coast anc , sell It? If Miller was going to mak ' a profit on the fares, we ought tc be able to break even anyway. Anc ; If he can find the way, we can I What d'you think?" . "The scheme of a genius, a titan,' , Kerrigan rumbled, taking cigarettes : from his coat. "We can try It," said Hal. "Onlj look If we could tell the others not tell them that It's through friend of mine we're getting th ' car; If we could say you and I wen chipping In on a bargain and ex ' pected a profit on the Coast." Kerrigan's eyes were frlendl: : with approval. "You mean the are i you-any-rclatlon - to - Frederick - Ire i land sitchatlon?" he suid. t Hal nodded. t Then a shadow fell on Kerrigan'i look and he turned his head dubious i ly toward the door, saying, "H r there, nippers. Finished?" The door was ajar and Crack'i head was stuck around It "Yes,' 1 said Crack, smiling with tentativt t amiability, as if he hoped to b( asked in. ; "Thank you very much," salt ' Hal. 1 The door closed without sound I Hal and Kerrigan looked at eacl other, both listening. After a moment Hal said ln i subdued tone, "What does he carrj 1 that silly golf-ball for?" f Kerrigan shook his head. "Whj " do you suppose that oaf in Nev York picked on him to be with tin TralTord gal?" "llon't know," said Hal. "Excep the only man I've seen this yeui stupider than Larson is Miller." t There was a car at the gai t pumps, and Mai ln yellow siickei 1 and red-leather slippers walkei ' across (he grass with the bead lights full on him, feeling as if h were on the stage of the Hollywooi L Bowl. He found the Gents' plact ' all that Kerrigan had said of it " But the water that fell on him fron " the shower was cool and prist in " and good, like delicious rain. Ant as he reveled in It, he piously ac knowledged the miracle that tnadi v so simple a thing as cool water t s tonic for body, a wine for spirit, ai - essence of Immaculate luxury. The flow of his shower slack s ened as the sound of raining begat 1 In the next compartment, beyom the partition that didn't bother t - reach the ceiling. He heard a shor breath taken of pleasure am 1 eagerness; and then Barry's near !. husky voice quietly said, "Oh, d i e it." Hal gave a single laugh of pleas j ure. "Can I help?" he said. e "Where are you?" she said. s "Next door. What's happened?" , "I walked into this IV this so a und-so shower with my darnec |
