Evening star., 1922-11-05
'who7" George wanted to know.


terial for a play in US. still. itll be
nice to see him again. 1 don't sup
pose Ill know him.
Look here" George demanded.
"Who are you talking about?"
"oh.' she said. as II she had just
heard his questions, but it was an
other moment before she answered
it. why, it's Charley Hawkins
Hawthorn Hawkins. George. you
know who he is,.'
II know who Hawthorn Hawkins
is. but why do you call him Charley?
And why does he call you on the long
distance and propose to spend Sum
day with us?'
why. he's giving the Sheldon lee
lures down at the university this
year. and he looked up AvonIa on the
map and saw how near 1t was-so he
phoned to ask X he could come"
But, why Avonia. and why US? II
you knew him as we'll as that, why
haven't you evet told me anything
about him."
George" she cried. scandalized. II
told you all about Charley Hawkins
when we were first engaged-and
you didn't even listen. He wasn't
famous then. OF course. And I
haven't heard from him since the
note he wrote with the wedding pres
ent he sent us. Now. for good
ness sake. don't ask any more ques-
tions. but let me eat"
X + +
TT was from preoccupation rather
L than obedience that he left her
alone until she rang for the maid.
Then, "You haven't been writing to
him, have you-telling him he was
great and SO on?"
Her eyes flashed at him. but the
entrance Of Anna procured him a po-
lite answer. II couldn't very well
write to him when I'd never seen ono
of his plays"
Ever read 'em?" he asked. They
are published. I suppose"
She shook her head and waited un-
til Anna went out. then she swooped
upon him. Il never thought you'd
be so silly" she declared. "as to be
jealous. And about man I haven't
thought of for twenty years
Jealous" he retorted furiously.
I'm not"
What are you, then?" she asked
with an alkaline sort Of smile. and
he found the question unanswerable.
We'll. I hope you will be decent to
him. anyhow
II don't know whether I will or
not" he told her. THAT depends"
She didn't speak to him again that
night.
Two days later coming home from
rather strenuous bout of shopping.
Emily found her husband-home from
the Office a good hour earlier than
usual-reading a small green paper
covered volume. which he put down
hastily as she came in and then took
up again and held out to her.
Three Plays by Hawthorn Haw-
kins." she read. why. where did
Streets, but they'd never even heard
of it,"
Came in the mail" he said. IT
found it when I got here"
Addressed to me?" she asked.
"Why, yes: believe 1t was I
| opened the package without. think
ing"
Charley sent them on. Of course"
she remarked. 80 that ia have some-
thing to talk to him about
II don't believe he did," George said
decidedly. mot unless he's an-un-
usual ass"
She flushed angrily at that. but he
went on before she could speak. Il
said I thought he wasn't an ass, not
that 1 thought he was. There'd have
been a card or an inscription IL 1T
had come from him. Anyhow, I
wouldn't thank him for 1t unless he
gives you a lead. Read 'em and say
nothing. And don't leave 'em out on
the sitting room table where they'll
be the Arst thing he sees, either
Her smile conceded that this advice
was both friendly and intelligent.
But where did they come from2" she
demanded.
Search me-" he told her. They
don't postmark this fourth-c class stuff.
No. 1 didn't mean anything uncompli-
mentary. AS far as I read in the
first one, it seems pretty good. I
thought you might have sent to Chi
cago for them" She pointed out that
there would not have been time. "Oh.
WE'LL" he concluded. II don't believe
it's much of mystery. Some old
friend. most likely, that he told he
was coming, sent 1t along so that
you would surprise him. You'll read
'em tonight, l suppose"
She said she would unless he want
ed to go out somewhere with her. but
he said he must go back to the Office
and work. I'm going to be pretty
busy between now and Monday" he
added.
She looked at him sharply. You're
going to be here tomorrow when he
comes, aren't you?"
"Oh. yes, I'll be here--you bet 1t
was so evident. Though, that the last
brace of words had escaped him in.
voluntarily that she forbore to re.
monstrate.
THEY kept rather carefully away
i from Charles Hawthorn Hawkins
as a conventional topic that night.
Next morning, however, just before
he loft for the ONCE. George un.
easily broke the ice by saying: Don't
count on him too much, Emily. He
may not come. you know. Send you
u telegram this morning."
She asked hotly why he said that,
and added. as the suspicion struck
her: II believe you've been telegraph.