A Little Sp

)urt by Lulu

A SHORT STORY

By SEWELL FORD

You could sec the panic on Swifty' face as he come* Rlidln' sleuihy into the cym. *hut* the door and backs asainst it. It show* plain in hi* pop eye* and by the way his Unger*

twitch in'.

“Well, well, for the lore of Mike, what'* wrong now?" I asks, bad new" from home, or have you swallowed a tooth, or is the buildin. on fire? Come on. spill it. “Say, Shorty." he whispers husky, “it—it's that woman again." Course, if I hadn't been fairly that Swifty had no particular past of that kind I might have suspected some old scandal had come to life and was wavin' a bunch of faded love letters or something to him. But Swifty Joe Gallagher ain't that kind. His face might crack a mirror, but it would never wreck a home And ai for writin a love Inter. I doubt If a> ever got that fooll«h . Besides he'i about as skillful wt*’ n as he w 0 u;i be with a crochet hook. Wha: pussies me is his describin' somebody as "that woman.' for as a rule Swifty is fairly consistent in *i..-aking of the henna using sex Startin' at the bottom they're rlthei female parties, or skirls, or fluffs, or just plain ladies. This is a new ter

to me. though.

' Hey, whaddye mean, that woman' I demands! “Which one?" "Ah. the one with the shaky motions.” says Swifty. “and the misbehavin' fingers. That Miss—Miss"Gladys Tarleton?" says I. while he's scratk-hln' his ear. “That's her!" say* Swifty. Tarleton woman." “Say, *rhen you t that woman stuff?" says I. "She's a young lady, Miss Tarleton la; perfectly swell young i»erson. fine old fam’ly, and more or leu* of a plute**. Wants to see me about something. I expect. Tell her I'll be right out." “Nothing doing," says Swifty decidedly. 'Tell her yourself. She's alone in the frout office and she can stay there until you get ready to go in. You'd better put on a coat, too." Say. for all he wan born and brought up In South Brooklyn. Swifty can be easily shocked I expect in his day he's lived a* rough as anybody, he'd be right at home on a Sunday chowder party of the annual ball of the Red Hook Athletic Association, but still he’s got a lo; of old-fashioned Ideas that would r- uost qualify him as a delegate :o a Southern Methodist conference. Just Watchin* Gladys tilt back In an office chair cross-kneed and light up a cigarette will give him a Jolt that he'll be the rest of the day

recoverin' from.

Not that this is all he has against

her. No. It was what she did that other time, when she'd persuaded Mrs. McCabe to bring her ir for a look at the Physical Culture rtudio. I tried to steer Sadie off from doin' it. for we don't encourage lady visitors. Some of our finicky reg'lars might lot like it. But it seem* Glauy* .a* bent

on coming, and come she did. A* It happen* there was nobody In

the gym but Swifty. who was warmin’ up for the day with a little bag puncbln'. If* an ac he does well. I'll admit, and in his trunks and low cut top he ain't half so bad lookin' as. he i* in his street clothe*. Anyway, his performance brought the admirin' squeals out of Miss Tarleton. She's one of these gushy parties, you know, and she simply cut loose over Swifty.

He stood for that fairly well, as

long as she was content to exclaim

about hi* rousrle development and

on. but when she stepped in and begun to paw over bis arms and shoulder* he turns the color of a ripe to-

mato. 1 thought for a niinut. he was guin' to dive under the Bn’ mat and roll himself up What really llm w the scan. Ir

though, was when Gladys suggested ; that he must pr.se for a young lady j friend of hers who was a sculptor and ‘ tried to lure him down to Greenwich

Village.

“Not a chance. Ma'am." says ; Swifty indignant, and stalks off to the

This ain't Just hearsay, you understand. I wish it was. But didn't Sadie drag me down to one of them plays done by the pupils as a season windup, and didn't 1 have to sit all through an amateur Hamlet production and listen to Gladys squeal and rant around the stage in a white nightie with her hair down and trimmed with parsley? "Say. she's Ju*t plain bughouse” 1 remarks. "S-s-s-sh!'' says Sadie. “She's playing the part of Ophelia. She is supposed to t>e mad. you know. Hamlet.” "I don't blame him.” says I. her around so much." I expect Gladys don't know how awful she Is. Anyway, she keeps it. winter after winter. Joshed along by her unkind friends and the dramatic professors. And on the side she take* lesson* in breathing, and facial expression, and voice culture and I don't know what. She's been at it since her folks died and left her all that money. She's a long, limber, lanky party. Gladys, with big. rollin' dark eyes and lot of black hair that's always done up sloppy. I think she fancies that a lady vamp in a mild way. About a half of one per cent. vamp. 1 should say She has *omc of the lines and goas through some of the m tlons. but she's about as much of fascinator a* Swiftv Joe is lady-killt-r. At least, that's my dope

i her.

But she sure if persistent about tryg to be an actress. It's her dream, and she's got to the point now chore she’d do almost anything ret on the real stage. She's even tried to break into vaudeville and the movies. But then, there's nothing novel about that. Greenwich Village full of females, old and young, with the same ambition. ee. the Tarletons used to be nelghtors of ours, out in Rockhurst-i-the-Sound. and we've seen more or lea* of Gladys ever since she came home from boardin' school. For the years, though, since she's been livin' in town winter* and spendln' her summers off at resorts. n’t been in such close touch with her. I’m happy to say. But here early this September we did ran acroes her again unexpected, while we was off with Pincka lit'Ie motor trip up in Vermont All one forenoon, a* we was climbin' over hills and windin' through valleys, we kept seelt' these yellow sign* advisin' us to stop at Slmpkinsville and "try one of Mrs. Foster's Old-fashioned Chicken Din-

ners."

Well, maybe you know how it is. The ilrnt few signs you don't pay any attention to. Then you begin to tead Next you start lookin' for 'em. And finally you get to bank tin' for chicken dinner. At least. If if* anywhere near noon, you Just feet like >u've got to have one or perish. "Only two miles to Mrs. F,»-iter's!” exclaims Pinckney. T suppose It will the regulation roadhouse dinner, where they massarre the toughest >t the hen yard to make a tourifts' holiday. But who 1* ready to take a chance?" Tve had my face set for chicken >r the last hour." says t. “I could Imost eat the kind they serve on

dinin' ears."

'If you're as desperate ns all that." s Pinckney, "we will try Mrs. Fob's brand: but remember. 1 am not Believer in sirns. Behold, we ap-

proach Slmpkinsville!''

And at that we almost slid through tthout knowing .t. there was so little > the burg. But a canvas stretched cross the road with a big Mrs. Foster sign painted on it brought us to a

u'hlni 8,OI> * n f ron ’ 8 farmhouse

1 lhat had almost c

hole;

ssln' :

He

Idn'l talk allot

t it for a week ' "Say Shorty." j

into a summer ey'd tacked on

las here, changed the tronl bedinto an office by putting in a added a dinin' room wing on Ide. and broke a few dormers r the roof to make att-r be of the bowl and jdivhcr variot who should Sadie diseovi s we're streamin' in for dinni lady* Tarletor. wetrin' a frinst and with her hair braided

com fashion.

iy. Gladys!" says Sadie. "Whi

oi dramatic art.

Anyway, she did. And If you'll Hove it. the dinner was all that was advertised, and more. Not the hard, chewy kind of cold storage fowl with embalmin' fluid poured over It. such as you usually get: but the tender kind grandmother used to serv with dumplings and lots of gravy in a bowl. Also the waitress was almost a« easy to look at a* Gladys had described. "A goddess of the Green .Mountains, as Dunsany would call her.” say* Pinckney. “What delicate tint* in her cheeks, too!" “Put on with a rabbit’s foot, eh I suggests. “No. indeed!” protest* Gladys "She is a perfect child of Nature; sweet and simple, and innocent. Het name is Lulu—Lulu Piliey. We have come to be great friends. 1 mean to take her back to town with me, a* a naid. Think how stunning she'll be in a black dress with lace collar ant* cuff. Just fancy! The largest place she's seen has been Rutland. What un it will be to take her around New York with me and listen to her coqu -tish prattle about ail the wonderful slfhl*; and if I should get the contract I expect— Gladys has to cut her gushin' short when Lulu appears with the apple pie you'd stand on your head t< necessary. And there was a hunk of real rat cheese to go with it. By being a little slow I menage* to linger behind the others so I had word on the side with Lulu. “I hear you're coming to town i Miss Tsrteton's maid?" says 1. “You can hear a lot of bunk if y< stretch your ear." says the simple country girl. "Why." I thought you two was great chums.” says I. "That's pan of my job.” says Lulu, "no matter what big nuts some of are. Fhe's worse thar most of the men. Gladys i*: and take it from me. a lot of these auto tourists are mighty fresh. They're a heap freer with the Josh than they are at handin' out

tip*."

"Oh!" says I. "Now that you've mentioned it—" and I slips a dollar to go with the one I'd seen Pinckney tuck under the plate. So we left Gladys at Slmpkinsville and In the course of time we got bark home and that' the last I'd seen or heard of her until here the other day she appear*, as 1 was tellin’ you. in the front office. I takes Swifty"* hureh. too. and slip* a coat on over gym uniform. I find* her standln’ in front of the mirror powderin' her nose, a* usual. 'Nice of you to look me up again. Mis* Tarleton'* maid?” says I. "Oh. you men!" says she. duckin' her chin kittenish. "But truly. Professor, I simply had to have the help of some man friend today. You'd .•er guess what for. either ” Want to be chaperoned while you call on some theatrical manager?" I suggests. "No. no." says Gladys. "But you remember Lulu Pllley. don't you?" has tn scratch my head a second before 1 connects up the name. "Oh. sure!" say* I. "The Innocent little Green Mountain girt that—" "Certainly" says Gladys. "Well, do you know, at one of those roof garden performances about ten days ago I a girl In the chorus who reminded so much of Lulu that when 1 got home I just sat down and wrote to her. This morning 1 had an answer And what do you think? She isn't in Slmpkinsville at all.” “No?" say* 1. "Got a job in Rutland?" •'! should say not." says Gladys. "She's right here In New York. The letter come from the Hotel Calmon. West Mth Street. I presume she'* a chambcnnnid or something there.” "Sounds reasonable," say* I "What

Du ir

"Why." say* Gladys, "if she is. perhaps 1 can Induce her to leave and come with me a* a maid, just as a had planned 1 may not get that contract f was expecting after all. In fart. I've about given up hope for this season. But I do need a persona! matil and Lulu would he such a dear. So 1 want to look her up. But 1 can't go prowlIsa around a strange hotel all by myself, you see. Now could I?" "Maybe not." says 1 "And your Idea is that 1 should—” “Oh. would you. Professor?" she

side*. I had a belt, r hunch than that. I call* the head bell hop one side, eases a dollar into hi* palm, am asks which floor Lulu the chid. "Ought to be Just about siltin' down to her breakfast tray. Ill see. Miss." And when he comes back from the desk 'phone he announces that he'd guessed right. Also that the young lady would see Ml*s Tarleton and her friend. So before I can frame up an alibi we're shoo* J into an elevator and shot up to the 9th floor. Say. first off I thought we'd crashed in on the wrting party, for as we edge* in 937 we get a full view of this xippy young female in the batik dressin' gown and bedroom slipper* siltin' by *n air shaft window toyin' with her coffee and roll* between puff* i.f a cigarette. But Gladys seem* to recognize her all right. “Why. Lulu Piliey!" she exclaim*. "Oh!" says Lulu. “The star isn't it? Welcome to my 9x12 suite. Sorry I haven't but one other gold chair. There's the bed though.” "But—but what does this mean?" demands Gladys. "This about you being Dora Dawn.” ' Kinds cute, eh?" says ? 4ilu. "The press agent r'-fked that for me. right out of his Drain. Looks a lot better on the program than Lulu Piliey would. What?" "Program!" gasps Gladys. "Why, Lulu, you don't mean that—that you are really and truly on the stage?" "Ch-buh.” Bays Lulu. “Third from the left end. I'm on in four songs, and that second change we make calls for some speed. I'll tell the judge. At 9.32 I'm a lady bull fighter, and exactly 6 minutes later I go on in the Tell Me Pretty Flowera' chums as a tu’ip: and believe me, with them thumb - fingered dressers they've wished on u*. it's sump'n fierce. " For a minute or so Gladys just sits there and stares at her. Might have been my imagination, but I thought I could see the green tints in her boarder from Foster’s. And the gentleman who doubled on doi'ar tips, eyes as *b“ looked. “Then--then that —was you I saw on the roof garden stage the other nigh' ?" she demands. "If you was out front and lookin' my way. I expect It was." says Lulu. "It's ;ulto a show, eh? 1 ain’t been around much to see other pieces, but 1 hear we got the edge on anything else in our line along Broadway. Some of the girls are lookin' for three-room apartments and gettln' fixed for a summer run. Pretty soft, eh? My first engagements, too. They tell me I might have signed up with something that would go on the rocks after the first three weeks’ tryout, maybe in a place like Wilkes-Barre or Utica. Here

i, thot'r.h.”

res.” sighs Gladys. “And two months ago you were seiving^chicken dinners in Slmpkinsville, Vermont!" Uh-buh!" say* Lulu. “Little spurt gettln' under the wire; eh. Mister?" and she turns to me. "Spurt is good.” says I. "Man o' War's got nothing on you whatever." "But 1—I’ve been working and studying to get on the stage for a.” says Gladys. "I don't understand how you managed it” Me. either." says Lulu. "Must ha-e been the classy way I passed the

chicken."

“But just what did happen?" demands Gladys. “Did you take lessons in dancing and singing and then come down and apply for a position through ne friends of the producer's?" 'Gosh, no!" says Lulu. "We had a aporty crowd in for dinner one day and they were all kidding me. ’Specially the one they tailed Morrie. 1 your lines. Girlie.' says he. 'Old stub.' says l. Tve heard that before.' 'Ma> be.’ says he. ‘but probabl> not from an expert. Tell roe. are you stuck on staying in Slmpkinsville?' well enough.' says I. 'but my feet ain't rooted here. Why?' 'What about ing to New York and letting us i you a try for the chorus?' be asks. 'Back up.' says l. 'You make a noise like a movie villain. Ain't got your credentials with you. 1 suppose? - had. though. He's assistant stag* manager for Flo. himself, and when he says he’ll risk advanrin’ me fifty 1 don't do any more stallin' around. ’It's me for this midnight roof thing, if 1 can make good.' rays I. And 1 guess I have. I'm underat udyin' M.>dge Lovell, who has two whole lines in the second act. and Morrie nays If she’s latr for another rehearsal he's g-iing

Social Life in Washington | ti

very becoming gown and -

-een in the p»cUf«,

evitable orchid which mark. * turn* from the time she u, ”

: K»*ed to president Wilson.

The American Bankers' Association ' before the public had tit i... made a gala week, both for Washing- Pirion of bow Beriou* hi.. »*-, ton and themselves, during their eon-j ,0 ! be -ridow Galt w*r* i B f tion week, which lasted through orchid Is Inseparable from ;

the week. Many of them bad ladies In tbeir parties, wives, mothers, daughters. slaters, who spent a busy and a happy time being entertained and In sight seeing. There were innumerable small private luncheons and dinner parties every day and theatre parties every night. The Chevy Chase club was thrown open on Tuesday afternoon for a garden tea to the visiting ladies. Mrs. John B. Larner. wife of one of Washington's prominent bankers. was chairman of the ladies' entertainment committee and received the guests. With Mrs. Richard S. Hawes of St. I<out*. wife of the president of the association, ami CommUsioner Mabel Boardman. standing beside her The other member* of the committee, which consisted of the wive* cf almost all bankers and bank officers of Washington. were the other assistant*. It was a very handsome party, for the weather was ideal Indian summer and the grounds and handsome apartments of this splendid country club were never so attractive. On Wednesday the ladies, and some of the men. made the pilgrimage to ML Vernon and again the weather was ideal for the lovely sail down the Potomac Old visitors to Mt. Vernon always regret the discontinuance of the handsome tribute which was always pal’ to the Father o f his Country by the boats passing his tomb, going either up or down the river. Up to perhaps ten years ago every boat, when approaching Mt. t’ernon tolled its bell, and men on deck stood uncovered, until the tomb, which shows plainly from the liver, had been passed This has now been done away with, and the Mt. Vernon estate is passed every day by hundreds of passengers going up and down the historic river without their knowledge. It is always a keen disappointment to them when they discover it. On Thursday night the delegates and the ladies of their parties wen* entertained at a mammoth theatre party in the large theatres, and last night the president and boaru of trustee* of the Corcoran Gadery of Art entertained them at t brilliant reception and private view of the gallery, the guests being received in the great lower corridor This was a beautiful reception, as evening functions are always. In the state!)' gallery. The forthcoming week will be the dullest which will be known in Washington from now to the beginning of the Lenten season. Many of the official women now in their Washington home will g> off io vote, this being the first experience for many of them and they will prefer to do It in person rather than by mall as Is now possible. They will all return by the middle of November, for by that time they will all know whether they will remain In Washington for another four years or not. An interesting question 1* brought up in the matter cf wives, especially the brides as to Just where their vote is legal. Mrs. Woodrow Wilson is a resident of New Jersey by reason of her husabnd being a resident of that State, yet she has never lived a day in the State, except the summer she spent at the seashore, following her marriage. The question n. ! ght be raised "has she establish) d legal residence thereT’ Also in tb ■ matter of the bride of Representative Kdw&rd Everett Holland of Suffolk. I Va.. who this month was married to I Miss Eunice Ensor of Omaha. Neb. They will arrive in their Virginia I home next week in time for him to |

vote there.

Mrs. Wilson is sitting for a new portrait to be a surprise to the President. Not bu' what he knows it is being painted, but he has not yet had

ship of President Wn... r Galt. The artist, Mrs. s Inr ... , cently made a portrait Vr. « ton D Baker and hm- chil,, one of Secretary Baker. [« upon Mr*. Wilson In the White Mr*. Baker motor-d to n • burg last Sunday, made a , to her alma mater and retyr**; Washington Monday, accompan . Mis* Hannah Patterson of Pi- tfbt who is making her a visit, y . . terson spent a few days in ’ daring this week. The D. A. R. of the District o(J iumbia had a brilliant recepu, ’ Wednesday of this week in the new president-gene r..l t .f tk. \ ttonal Society. Mrs. George sj atlt Minor, who was here this we. ^ < f ,.. first monthly board meetinr .• society, helu *n the Continent*: Fj on Wednesday. It was a beau::;. ! ception In the gold bdl roorr y : I^fayette. especially pretty *cd able, being on the first floor aid i joining the dining room of t k .- There were several past j.rv. in the receiving line. Mrs. Joins 1 Foster. Mr*. Matthew T. Seo - u Mrs. George Thacher Gaern-y ^ Mr*. Mary S. Lockwood, bonotc chaplain general of the society u the only living founder of the ora: zation. who is in the nineti<"h r« of her age. Mr*. Howard L Kw kins of '.he District of Co.umbia t the pre. eolations. This is * font always given by the District Ihco tors to a new president-genera! T Daughters are planning to eclxthntr building in Wa<hlngton by br ing a new office building on ground - est of the main hall vi: was purchased by them several ya ago and loaned to the Koverom- r I much needed temporary btaldinn ! u*e during the war. They real* plate spending $200.00'' on the t-

building.

The former Secretary of State z Mrs. Iain King are having a visit fr: the United States Amabssador to Gra Britain and Mrs. John W. Dxri*. *! are in this country only for a sen: months' vacation. The Davises ut Lanslngs are old friends and the a ter are entertaining their guests a distinctly personal way. Mrs. lasd bad a tea for Mrs. Darts on Wed* day afternoon haring the dloloxc circle as the guests, and on rr.it afternoon she had a small erafJt of rather more personal friend)« Mrs. Davis and of her own I? 1 ! dined in small companies each td in some friend's house and on snci talons were out for luncheon and Mrs. Allen W. Dulles. *bo married In Baltimore lari SatarW are at Hot Spring*. Va.. and will to Washington next week to o their rrandmother. Mr*. John W T» ter and their uncle and aunt. V: > Mr*. Lansing.

1*0

The scientist ■> have diw™ omening smaller than the ater must be one of those new potat«

sell for live cent*.

Most peopple will pref<T t" ^ ri«l in the old-fashioned way , -'- though it doe* involve taking w k fast togeteher seven days *

Boston Transcript.

Mr. Hoover is Uarnlne how

nothing to the extent of a half of space. Look.* as

isn't anybody that politics can Charleston New* and Courier

Chicago has always l*«®

upon as a speedy t< n - ! '-"

courts are now trying

tlotst

She is posed in her; old. You can speed up

biack velvet gown, not the I u,,. law.—Cleveland Plain I ‘ n “’ ibt» wu* married in but — which she apix-ared at "I prefer that cot.rses at

the first evening function after she J quet should give pleafurv

married. It is a grateful and ^ guest* rather .than to our

| Glady,

So i

eager, pawin' me sure M»s McCabe \

the

few bitter

bark nobl

powder on

graceful. "So that

i she as w-

: like that, I “I'm glad 1 fou

squeeze into the e|o\

4

PER CENT. PER ANNUM ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTIS

Open a Savings Account by Mail Add to it regular'.' know the satisfactk watching your wealth 1111 CAPITAL AND SURPLUS M.«Ki,000 WEST END TRUST CO. Btoad St., and So. Penn Sq. PH1LADKI PHI '

\v ^