The Dark Star

"Why?"

"You don't have to ask me that, do you?"

"Yes, I do. Why? I want to marry her, I tell you. I mean to. I'm

taking no chances that some hick will do it while I'm away. I'm going

to stay right here."

"And when the new car comes?"

"I'll keep her humming between here and Saratoga."

"And then what?"

Brandes' greenish eyes rested on the car and he smoked in silence for

a while. Then: "Listen, Ben. I'm a busy man. I got to be back in town and I got to

have a wedding trip too. You know me, Ben. You know what I mean.

That's me. When I do a thing I do it. Maybe I make plenty of mistakes.

Hell! I'd rather make 'em than sit pat and do nothing!"

"You're crazy."

"Don't bet on it, Ben. I know what I want. I'm going to make money.

Things are going big with me----"

"You tinhorn! You always say that!"

"Watch me. I bet you I make a killing at Saratoga! I bet you I make

good with Morris Stein! I bet you the first show I put on goes big! I

bet----"

"Ah, can it!"

"Wait! I bet you I marry that little girl in two weeks and she stands

for it when I tell her later we'd better get married again!"

"Say! Talk sense!"

"I am."

"What'll they do to you if your wife makes a holler?"

"Who ever heard of her or me in the East?"

"You want to take a chance like that?"

"I'll fix it. I haven't got time to wait for Minna to shake me loose.

Besides, she's in Seattle. I'll fix it so she doesn't hear until she

gets her freedom. I'll get a license right here. I guess I'll use your

name----"

"What!" yelled Stull.

"Shut your face!" retorted Brandes. "What do you think you're going to

do, squeal?"

"You think I'm going to stand for that?"

"Well, then, I won't use your name. I'll use my own. Why not? I mean

honest. It's dead level. I'll remarry her. I want her, I tell you. I

want a wedding trip, too, before I go back----"

"With the first rehearsal called for September fifteenth! What's the

matter with you? Do you think Stein is going to stand for----"

"You'll be on hand," said Brandes pleasantly. "I'm going to Paris

for four weeks--two weeks there, two on the ocean----"

"You----"

"Save your voice, Ben. That's settled."

Stull turned upon him a dead white visage distorted with fury: "I hope she throws you out!" he said breathlessly. "You talk about

being on the level! Every level's crooked with you. You don't know

what square means; a square has got more than four corners for you! Go

on! Stick around. I don't give a damn what you do. Go on and do it.

But I quit right here."