Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 150: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

296 Iowa or some such place. She was pretty enough, but the way she dressed, and her air, spelled small town to me. And I imagined how she must feel miles and miles away from every one she knew. All through the morning pandering to various palates I managed to throw in a cheery crack now and then, getting a few shy returns, and when our lunch hour ar- rived just before the noon rush I carried my truck to a table where she was all alone. “Hope you don’t mind me horning in on you,’ I remarked. ‘“ As long as we must toil side by each in this grab it garage I figured we might as well get acquainted. Listen all right?” “Why, I—I do want to become better acquainted.” She was shy. ‘“ I am strange here, and some of the girls don’t seem to want—”’ ‘“‘Oh, there’s a lotta biscuits in this burg who are harder than a bride’s first,” I told her. ‘“‘ But there’s several good fellows among us. We ain’t all weeds. I guess Ll know how you must feel, if you’re a stranger in this town. Just come to Los?” “T arrived two. weeks ago. I was living in Naylor, Nebraska, and my father died, leaving me all alone. I had a few hundred dollars and I was sick of Naylor. And crazy to see California. Out I came. The trip took quite a bit of my money, so I found myself a job. I like Los Angeles, but—but it’s lonesome at first.” “Sure it is,” I said, listening patiently to her highly thrilling narrative. ‘‘ Maybe we can brighten things up a bit. My name’s Dugan. What’s yours?” “ Parish. Priscilla Parish. Nearly every- body in Naylor called me Cilla. I like it better.” “It is better. I got a whale of a name myself. Jacqueline Dugan. Ain’t that a tongueful? T'oo much moniker for a little girl like me to stagger under. So every- body shortens it to Jackie at my earnest request. How big a burg is Naylor? Know any fellows there?” I rattled along, breaking through her reserve, and finally sprung something. “You dance, don’t you, ’Cilla?” “Oh, yes. But I haven’t since leaving Naylor.” real sweet, Vic. know. Just arrived from—” ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “How would you like to go along with me some night this week to the Cinderella Roof? I usually go with a boy friend, and he knows a coupla nice fellows who shake a mean foot. I think I could—” I could see ’Cilla from Nebraska hesitate. She eyed me just a bit doubtfully. I tumbled quick. I guess I look as flapperish as any of the barlows Elinor Glyn writes letters to, with my bobbed hair and the same kinda skirt. No doubt I’d be considered an eight-minute Eva in Naylor, but clothes don’t make the man—or woman —either. However, I thought I could appreciate Priscilla’s point of view. “ Listen, ’Cilla,” I uttered. ‘“ Vic Jordan —the boy friend I go with—is my steady, and he’s all right. Any fellow he brings will be—well, this ain’t no party. It’s just a good time. Now, what do you say? If I frame up a date, do we go?” The doubt had gone outa her blue eyes. “'Why—I’d love to! It’s awfully good of you, Miss Dugan, to—” “* Lay off the flowers, and call me Jackie. I can feature how lonely it can be in Los for a stranger and then—I’d like to be your friend, ’Cilla.” She smiled back at me. , “‘ And I want to be yours—Jackie.” I was feeling real pleased with myself. “ All rightie!” I chirped. “ I’ll give Vic a ring to-night. Ah, they’re wigwagging us, ’Cilla. Back to supply and soothe the rav- enous rabble!” You see, everything started great. The ‘new girl was much happier during the re- mainder of the day, and I was willing to take the credit for her good spirits. Vic Jordan. dropped around in the eve- ning and I tackled him. “‘ Got a job for you, young man!”’ I de- clared. “TI want to take a new girl at the cafeteria to Cinderella Roof some night this week, and it’s up to you to find a friend for her. A nice one.” “Ah!” He shook his finger at me. ‘** What’s the plot, Jackie? I know there is one. Who’s.the damsel, anyway?” “Her name is ’Cilla Parish, and she’s A stranger in Los, you comiclbooolx C©