is attire. He wondered
that the fellow was not ashamed to be seen in public with him.

"My name, by the way, is Lowell. Cliff Lowell." This was in the
elevator. "The desk clerk will tell you as much as any one need know
about me, if you feel the need of credentials." The elevator halted,
and the human automaton who operated it slid open the door. "I don't
often yield to these sudden impulses myself. But life is a bore--and
you are different. I somehow feel as if we are going to hit it off all
right together. At any rate, I am willing to gamble on the
acquaintance for one evening. I take it you are in the same boat--eh?"

"Sure," said Johnny, flattered without in the least knowing what it was
that warmed him toward Cliff Lowell so suddenly. "I suppose I ought
to--my mechanic was to wait outside for me--"

Cliff Lowell lifted an eyebrow and smiled a little smile. "You must
have a very well-trained mechanic if he really would wait outside at
this time in the evening." He bowed and lifted his hat to an
impressive old lady in some glittery, lacy kind of gown, and Johnny
bowed also and blushed because a girl just beyond the old lady gave him
a slant-eyed glance and the shadow of a smile. Ten steps farther a
fierce looking man with a wide, white frontage and a high silk hat
slowed his pace and cried, "Why, hello, Cliff!" in a manner not at all
fierce. Between there and the entrance Johnny counted seven important
looking persons who recognized his host as an acquaintance. He began
to wonder at his own presumption in receiving one of Los Angeles'
leading citizens as he had received Cliff Lowell. It was with a
conscious effort that he maintained his attitude of sturdy independence.

Bland, it transpired, had tired of waiting for Johnny. He was nowhere
to be seen, and with a parting salute from the white-gloved doorman
they set out briskly for the regular place Cliff Lowell had chosen to
honor with his patronage. The regular place was such a very regular
place that it had disdained blatant electric signs and portents of its
presence. Cliff led Johnny up a flight of narrow stairs and turned
sharply to the left through a subdued kind of vestibule that gave no
inkling of what lay beyond, except that a chipper young hat boy took
their headgear and the cane and gloves before they went on.

Johnny Jewel, desert product that he was, nearly stampeded before Cliff
had safely seated him, with the help of the head wai