II
383 Words
IIVENUS NELL WAS NO SAINT, any preacher would paint
A bad ending for her at a peek.
But her worst enemy would be forced to agree
There was nothing wrong with her physique.
She was flat where it flattered, and curved where it mattered,
A creature of streamline and bubbles;
She had bright yaller hair, and a definite flair
For taking men’s minds off their troubles.
She never had known the cap or the gown
Of grammar- or high-school or college,
Which didn’t mean she couldn’t win her A.B.
In a certain and specialized knowledge.
She had lure and illusion; creating confusion
‘Mongst men was but one of her tricks.
Doug’s eyes opened wide when she strolled to his side
—And he fell like a cargo of bricks!
She drawled, “Howdy, sailor!” and Dougal turned paler,
“H-howdy!” he managed to answer.
Then, in sudden alarm, “Are you one of the charm-
Gals?” he questioned, “Or only a dancer?”
Now, why an admission of her true position
Nell should at that moment decide
To conceal is a mystery buried in history;
Whatever the reason, she lied.
In fashion designed to make any man blind
She lowered her lashes and blushed.
(Which was no mean achievement itself.) “Oh, believe
Me! I’m no—entertainer,” she gushed.
“I sell cigarettes, and I sometimes take bets
On the rocketship races—” MacNeer
Slowly nodded his head as he quietly said
“A girl like you shouldn’t be here!
“I think we’d do well to get out of this hell
Of evil and vice,” he decided.
Nell had to sit still and bite her lips till
Her inner amusement subsided.
This curious sucker, it suddenly struck her,
Meant business! His motives were pure.
To lead on the calf should be good for a laugh ...
She smiled at him, shy and demure.
“Oh, I cannot do that,” she replied, “but a chat
In a quieter spot—?” And she led
Dougal out of the blare to a cool garden square
With the stars burning high overhead.
She gave orders by sign that a beaker of wine
Be served in their shady retreat,
And wondered how long it would be ere this strong,
Handsome stranger acknowledged defeat.
But strangest to tell, it was Doug and not Nell
Who emerged from that contest the victor.
It was nothing he did, but a loneliness hid
In her bosom that finally tricked her.
For Doug spoke of the night, and the glorious flight
Of ships through the reaches of Space;
Of his hopes and his schemes—and his words wakened dreams
That softened the lines of Nell’s face.
- Writer
