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THE PURPLE PENNANT

"comic" and that, in turn, was followed by another melodrama which, if not as hair-raising as the first, brought much satisfaction to Fudge. On the whole, it was a pretty good show. Fudge acknowledged it as he and Perry wormed their way out through the loitering audience at the end of the performance.

They discussed it as they made their way along to Castle's Drug Store where Perry was to treat to sodas. For Fudge at least half the fun was found in talking the show over afterwards. He was a severe critic, and if the manager of the theater could have heard his remarks about the "mushy" film he might have been moved to exclude such features thereafter. When they had had their sodas and had turned back toward Perry's house, Perry suddenly stood stock-still on the sidewalk and ejaculated: "Gee, I know where I saw him!"

"Saw who?" demanded Fudge. "Come on, you chump."

"Why, the fellow who played the piano. I'll bet you anything he's the cowboy!"

"You try cold water," said Fudge soothingly. "Just wet a towel and put it around your head——"

"No, listen, will you, Fudge? I want to tell you." So Perry recounted the odd coincidence of the preceding evening, ending with: "And I'll bet you

anything you like that's the same fellow who was

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