CHAPTER

    I. Chancing it for Vee
   II.  Pulling A sleuth stunt
  III.  When Ira showed some pep
   IV.  Torchy bugs the system
    V. Breezing by with Peggy
   VI.  Gloom shunting for the boss
  VII.  Torchy in on the Draw
 VIII.  Gladys in A double bill
   IX.  Late returns on popover
    X. Merry dodges A dead heat
   XI.  The Passing by of Bunny
  XII.  The glad hail for Torchy
 XIII.  Aunty flags A rosy one
  XIV.  Cutting in on the bliss
   XV.  Being SICCED on Percey
  XVI.  How whity gunked the plot
 XVII.  Torchy gets A through wire

ILLUSTRATIONS

“Well, if I ever!   Look where your shoulders
come!” . . . . . . . . . Frontispiece

“By gorry!” Explodes Ira as he gets his first glimpse

SISTER HAS LANDED A SMACK ON HIS JAW

Believe me, it was some artistic makeup!

“Ah, flutter by, idle one!” Says I

Then my arm must have slipped—­and the side
  clinch wa’n’t disturbed

We was right in the midst of practisin’ the sidewise dip,
  when who should show up but the happy bridegroom!

We was right in the midst Of the scrimmage when in walks Vee

ON WITH TORCHY

CHAPTER I

CHANGING IT FOR VEE

Say, what’s next to knowin’ when you’re well off?  Why, thinkin’ you are.

Which is a little nugget of wisdom I panned out durin’ a chat I had not long ago with Mr. Quinn, that I used to work under when I was on the door of the Sunday sheet, three or four years back.

“Hail, Torchy!” says he, as we meets accidental on Broadway.  “Still carrying the burning bush under your hat, aren’t you?”

I grins good-natured at his old josh, just as I used to about twice a week regular, and admits that I am.

“You wa’n’t lookin’ for me to fade to an ash blond, was you?” says I.

“Ah!” says he.  “I see the brilliance is not all on the outside.  Well, what use are you putting it to?  Who are you with now?”

“Same concern,” says I.  “Corrugated Trust.”

“As First, or Second Vice President?” says he, cockin’ his head on one side humorous.