On With Torchy | Page 4

turns shootin' over puffs of hot air; sort of a taffy-throwin' competition,
you know, with Vee as the mark.
But Vee don't seem tickled to death over it. She ain't fussed exactly, as
Eulalia rounds us up in a half-circle; but she colors up a little and acts
kind of bored. She's some picture, though. M-m-m-m! And it was
worth while bein' one of a mob, just to stand there watchin' her.
I expect the young college hicks felt a good deal the same about it as
me, even if they was havin' hard work diggin' up appropriate remarks
when Eulalia swings the arrow so it points to them. Anyway, they does
their best to come up with the polite jolly, and nobody makes a break to
quit.
It's durin' the tea and sandwich scramble, though, that Cousin Eulalia
gets her happy hunch. Seems that Sappy Westlake has come forward
with an invite to a box party just as Vee is tryin' to make up her mind
whether she'll go with Teddy Braden to some cotillion capers, or accept
a dinner dance bid from one of the other young gents.
"And all for Wednesday night!" says she. "How stupid of you, with the
week so long!"
"But I'd planned this box party especially for you," protests Sappy.
"Oh, give someone else a chance, Westlake," cuts in Reggy. "That's the
night of our frat dance, and I want to ask Miss Vee if----"
"What's this all about?" demands Eulalia, dancin' kittenish into the
limelight. "Rivalry among our gallant knights? Then the Princess
Charming must decide."
"Oh, don't, Cousin Eulalia," says Vee, wrinklin' her nose the least bit.

"Please!"
"Don't what?" says Eulalia, raisin' her long arms flutterin'. "My dear, I
don't understand."
"Ah, she's hintin' for you to ditch the Princess stuff," I puts in. "Ain't
that it?" and Vee nods emphatic.
Eulalia lets on that she don't know. "Ditch the--why, what can he mean
by that?" says she. "And you are a Princess Charming; isn't she, boys?"
Course the bunch admits that she is.
"There, you see?" goes on Eulalia. "Your faithful knights acclaim you.
Who says that the age of chivalry has passed? Why, here they are,
everyone of them ready to do your lightest bidding. Now, aren't you,
Sir Knights?"
It's kind of a weak chorus; but the ayes seem to have it. What other
answer could there be, with Vee gazin' flushed and pouty at 'em over
the tea urn?
"Really, Eulalia, I wish you wouldn't be so absurd," says Vee.
"My dear Cousin Verona," coos Eulalia, glidin' up and huggin' her
impetuous, "how could anyone keep their heads straight before such
absolutely distracting beauty? See, you have inspired them all with the
spirit of chivalry. And now you must put them to the test. Name some
heroic deed for each to perform. Begin with Reggy. Now what shall it
be?"
"Fudge!" says Vee, tossin' her head. "I'll do nothing so perfectly
mushy."
But Cousin Eulalia wa'n't to be squelched, nor have her grand scheme
sidetracked. "Then I declare myself Mistress of the Lists," says she,
"and I shall open the tournament for you. Ho, Trumpeter, summon the
challengers! And--oh, I have it. Each of you Sir Knights must choose

his own task, whatever he deems will best please our Princess
Charming. What say you to that?"
There's a murmur of "Good business!" "Bully dope!" and the young
gents begin to prick up their ears.
"Then this is how it stands," goes on Eulalia, beamin' delighted.
"Between now and eight o'clock this evening each knight must do his
valorous best to win the approval of our Princess. Hers it shall be to
decide, the prize her gracious company for next Wednesday night.
Come now, who enters the lists?"
There's some snickerin' and hangin' back; but fin'ly they're all in.
"All save the Unknown Knight," pipes up Eulalia, spottin' me in the
rear. "How now, you of the Crimson Crest? Not showing the white
feather, are you?"
"Me?" says I. "Well, I don't quite get the drift of the game; but if it'll
make you feel any better, you can count me in."
"Good!" says she, clappin' her hands. "And while you are afield I must
leave too--another tea, you know. But we all meet here again at eight
sharp, with proof or plunder. Teddy, have you decided what to
attempt?"
"Sure," says he. "Me to find the biggest box of candy that can be
bought in New York Sunday evening."
"Oh, splendid!" gurgles Eulalia. "And you, Mr. Westlake?"
"Orchids," says Sappy. "Grandmother has dandy ones at her place up in
Westchester, and I can make there and back in my roadster if I'm not
pinched for speeding. I'm going to have a try, and maybe I'll have to
steal