Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday was looking over some accounts here when Jack entered, spick and span in a tuxedo suit. By signs Jack indicated that a lady of arresting beauty desired an interview witli Nick, who immediately ga^o in- structions that she was to be shown in. Slie proved to be all that Jack had indicated, ond—she was a blonde. "Oh, how do you do?" ehe said, coming forward with nn almost regal carriage of her lissom ligure. '" Arc you Mr. Vcnizelos?" And then, as Nick in- clined his head "Oh, I—I wonder, Mr. Venizclos, if I—if you could " She stammered prettily, and the little- barber indicated a chair. ■'Sit-down," he invited, "and call an- Nick." The blonde took the ciiair smilingly, and then leaned forward, her face be- coming troubled. "I'm in an awful plight," she ex- plained. "1 lost all my mone\ at the roulette table, and I wondered if you could lend me some to get homo with." Nick fingered his chin. "Well, I don't believe in lending," he stated, "but I'll give you ten." "Ten?" the woman repeated. "Oli, I—I need five hundred. ' "Where do you live, lady?" Nick in quired politely. "China?" She laughed, then took a diamond bracelet from her wrist. "I could leave thi> for security," she offered. "If you know jewellery, you'll believe mo wlien I tell you that's worth a thousand." '1 know jewellery," Nick said, "and I ^know women, too. You see. it's my business to make a studj' of human nature, and I can see you're on the level. How about a little drink?" She accepted the invitation, and Nick filled two glasses. "Here's to the most charming man I've ever met," the blonde toasted. "You're certainly a friend in need." "Big-hearted Nick, they call me," BOY'S CINEMA was the rejoinder. "Never said 'no' to a woman in my life. Say, I'll take you to the cashier's and get that money." And he slipped an arm around her waist familiarly. The blonde did not seem to object, and he escorted her to the door and opened it. "Tell me," he said, "when am I going to see you again?" "When would you like to?" "To-morrow?" Nick suggested. "For lunch? At the Savoy? You could give me your address and I'd send my car for you." "Oh. no. that's all right," she as- .sured him. "I'll meet you there, at one o'clock. Good-bye—Nick." "Good-bye," he said in his most charming tone "And tell the district attorney I'll sec him on Tues- day." lie added with sudden violence. As he .«poko he pushed the woman through the door and then proi)elled her forward with a lusty thrust of iiis boot. Down she went on her hatids and knees with a startled squeal, and almost before she had fallen Nick had spun around and reached for a 'phone. " Hallo, hallo," he shouted into the mouth-piece, snatching up the receiver. "Say. operator—get mo the district attorney at his home right away Hallo!' Is that you. Black? Well, this is Nick the Barber. I just kicked your stool-pigeon riglit out of ofTice, and wliat's more—if you don't quit messing around in my affairs I'm goin' to kick you right out of town!" Ho iiung up savagely, and turned to find that Jack had come into the room. "Stool-pigeon?" Jack echoed. "How did you know it, Nick?" "Boy, I can tell 'em." was the com- placent answer. " She had district attorney written right across her kisser." "Congratulations," said Jack. 11 "You've got wise to yourself at last, so far as blondes are concerned." Nick had by now cooled down con- siderably. "Say," he declared, thinking of Marie, "no woman will ever make -a sap out of me again. Nick is plenty smart thc-se days. Yes, sir," Then ho began to laugh. "Oh, boy, I'll never forget the expression on that dame's face when I gave her the boot, though." The Girl from the River. DRIVING home to the gorning- palace after a little recreation in the way of a late party one night, Nick and Jack were held up on Brook- lyn Bridge by two or three men who waved to the little Greek's diauffcur excitedly. ♦ " Wha't's the matter?" Nick de- manded, as the car drew to a standstill. "We just dragged a girl out of IIk' river," one of the men on the bridf.t answered. "Will you take her to town' She's alive, but unconscioub." Nick laid hold of a rug. "Wrap this around her and bring her here," he cominanded. "Bill,"—to hi.s chauffeur—"give them a hand. We'll take her to the hospital." .Tack clutched Nick's arm. "Wait a minute." he hissed. "Wlnt do you know about this dame? How do you know she ain't another plant from the district attorney's oflice?" "Yeah?" Nick scoffed. "I suppose they brought her here and threw her into the water, ludi ?" 'Don't forget, you o;in still pour water," Jack retorted, but, heedless of his friend's arguments, Nick helped to lift the girl into the car and then ordered his chauffeur to drive on. A hundred yards from the bridge the girl stirred and opened her eyes wearily. In the light of a lamp that the car was passing, Nick saw that she was lovlier than any girl he had ever known, and he found himself marvelling at the transparency of her complexion, and tho ilken texture of her pale-gold *' You dirty double-crosser, you (!' Nick raged. September 26tb, 1931.