FAIR TRADE

by Joane (5-T-3)

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An altogether presentable young man was packing his books one morning (He had just been evicted from his apartment for activities new to the experience of the landlord but for which--as it was no one's business but his own--the young man was loathe to apologize.) when someone rapped at his door.

"Good morning," said the young man.

"Yes it is, "

said a saturnine gentleman in evening clothes. "I'm afraid, said the young man, "that whatever you're sell- ing I cannot afford."

#

"Not selling," said the stranger swirling a black cape up and "Trading."

over his arm.

in."

"No matter. I don't think I have anything you'd be nterested

"Oh,

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said the gentleman with a faintly sulphurous grin. "Don't you recognize me?"

The young man peered at the sardonically smiling profile which the stranger turned toward him. He studied the excellent nose, the sharply tapered ears, the suggestively evil widow's peak of the hairline. "No," he said slowly, lifting a cigarette out of his shirt pocket. "There is something vaguely familiar but--"

His visitor raised a delicate forefinger and pressed it again- The cigarette caught fire

st the tip of the young man's cigarette.

at the touch. "Now do you know?"

"So that's who you are! said the young man. "My, this IS refreshing! I had begun to think that all of the old values were gone forever."

"Not at all. I'm surprised you didn't recognize me more quickly. It isn't everyone who can afford to dress like this in the morning, you know.

#

"I take it you're new out here, the young man said. "You'll have to dress much more spectacularly than that if you want to

12.