Evening star., 1921-02-20

followed by dinner. a musical show
in at the roof garden afterward. He.
ordered his seat now of an agency
which landed him in the front rows
II Mile. Collette did not see him
these days, it was her own fault.
In evening clothes he made rather an
might easily have been mistaken for
wealthy young collegian. There
were times when Talbot felt quite
sure she did see him. There was a
feature of her act when she came
close to the footlights and tossed
fell into his lap one evening. and
somewhat sheepishly he stuffed it into
his pocket. He examined it later with
considerable curiosity.
In some ways Mile. Collette was not
as ravishihgly beautiful from the
front row as from the balcony. Her
rouge and stenciled brows were some
what overemphasized. This, however.
he understood to be a requirement of
her makeup. He saw her three times
that first week and she saw him, he
was sure, at least once.
1t was one morning after breakfast
that Miss Wadsworth popped into
Talbots head-quite without invita-
tion or apology. 1t was as he was
starting rather aimlessly down the
avenue. for his morning stroll had
now become enough of habit to
leave him time to think. This was to-
ward the middle Of April, and the sun
was getting high. It's warmth as it
moved across the blue sky suggested
spring. But as far as Talbot knew
this suggestion had nothing to do
with Miss Wadsworth. He just hap
pened to think of her, that was all,
and. thinking of her. began to wonder
what she was doing with herself. The
Gusher, he knew, was still giving
Knight & Son plenty to do without
starting any fresh enterprise. and so
the multiEraph could not be very busy
these days. In that case she. ought to
have more or less time on her hands.
In that case-well, he had not dropped
into the office since he left. and 1t
would be only decent to pay his re-
spects to the firm.
With a smile Talbot recalled that
piker's invitation he had given her to
go with him to the movies. He ought
to redeem himself for that. He was in
party. The idea appealed to him the
moment it was born, but not wholly
on the grounds of redemption. He
owed her something for that time
when she had steadied him in a crisis.
when he needed steadying. He was
cad for not having remembered it
before.
But. lordy, he would make up for
that. He planned it on the instant;
dinner at the finest hotel in town. a
taxi to real show, the two best seats
in the house. with taxi home. AS he
quickened his pace he added details
like violets and bonbons. He was even
tempted to enlarge his munificence
beyond it's legitimate field of action
by including any little article that
took his fancy in the store windows
he passed. There were Jewels he felt
sure would please any woman. and
lacy and silken things, but there
seemed to be no way of including
these in dinner invitation.
1t was II o'clock when Talbot
reached the office, which offered a new
suggestion. Instead of going in he
waited outside to catch her on her
way to lunch. He was successful to
that extent. He followed her a block
and then hurried to her side with up
lifted hat. She was surprised enough.
but greeted him with a good-natured
smile.
Back at work again." she asked
No" he answered uneasily. I'm
taking vacation"
"You look as though 1t were doing
you good" she answered after swift
glance at him.
1T is. Are you on your way to
.Yes," she nodded.
"I wish you'd lunch with me. today"
Thanks" she answered. But
think I'd best not"
I'D get you back in time
And I'd miss my walk-the best
part of my lunch. Please, l must
hurry as it is
She started on and he kept by her
side.
Then tonight. or some night, will
you have dinner with me and go to
the theaterr'
"Why. it's kind of you to think of
me this way. Mr.. Talbot. but really
you see ] go out so little"
Then what do YOU do?"
II go home" she laughed at his
frank perplexity.
''Of course. when there isn't any
thing else to do
II 60 hone because T liIkei to 20