Evening journal., 1922-05-10
I.ucinda's

old sweetheart. returns to New Yor
On the morning when Bellamy prom
ised reformation, Lucinda overhea-
Amelie Severn for luncheon at n
Clique Club.
W
Frost in the air OF that earl
wintry day lent its sunlight TO N
cold brilliance OF diamond dust o
Fifth avenue the crush OF moto
cars had grown 40 dense that on
could hardly drive from the Plaz
to Thirty-fourth street IN less thai
80 minutes.
Rellamy fumed over every hal
dictated by the winking semaphor'
lights Of the traffic towers In hi
understanding II WIS essential tina
the car should set him down II
3 front of the sedste pressed-bricH
structure on East Thirtieth street
whose entrance was fanked by ar
ever stainless plate OF brass adver-
tising in dignified black letters, OF
FTCEs OF THE DRUCE ESTATE
necessary for the planting OF what
he was pleased 10 term his "alioi.
II was true, Lucinda had never
defEned TO question a servant about
his comings and goings. he had no
reason TO believe she would ever be
so far forgetful Of her dignity. Sun.
II one will firt with 1re. the first
rule is TO take out insurance.
Today found Bethany more out Of
humor with himself than ever be-
fore, more disposed TO consider turn
ing over a new leaf. project often
mooted by his conscience always
when he was falling out OF love),
often approved but never seriously
tackled.
Thrice in the course OF the scaDt
hour he spent at his desk Bellamy
put out a hand 10 the telephone,
meaning to call UP America and call
It off; and thrice withheld his hand.
partly because he hated the thought
Of a wrangle over the wire, partly
because he was afraid the girl at
me switchboard might listen in
In the end he left his office half
an hour earlier thar he need have
and took a taxi 10 the Clique.
The Clique Club was post-prohi-
bition institution OF New York. run
In direct, more or less open, and ia
mously successful defiance OF the
Eighteenth Amendment.
Amelie Severn kept Bellamy
kicking his heels bad quarter OF
an hour longer than she need
have, but his temper was obscur-
ed by the admiration which her
undeniable good looks excited.
There was compensation in the
knowledge that one had made con-
quest Of so rare a creature.
Amene had married Ross Severn
because he was well-to-do, uninter-
esting. middle-ased, OF good family;
and had quickly repented because
he spoiled her and showed no inten-
ion of ceasing to be good life-
insurance risk.
she frankly owned as much while
3ellarny was helping her with her
wrap in the semi-seclusion OF their
s vet uncurtained booth.
sSThriiled TO a jellybean!" she de-
"a red. She shrugged out OF her
irs. planted elbows upon the table,
-adled her chin upon the backs OF
gagged fingers, and peered about
10 room with quick, inquisitive'
rd-like glances. Ross would be ]
irious."
Hope so. II he weren't ne oush'
be spoken TO about H."
~Oh. why worry about Ross? Hes
81 a husband"
And husbands haven't any rights .
nth considering" /
'T'd Ike &c gee Ross \
lgh Of lazy insolence rounded on
,elie's thought. Besides, I'm not y
pg anything wrong
Not yet" Bellamy admitted O
,ably. He nodded to their hover $,
: waiter What kind Of cocktail, n
,elie7 Everything else is ordered
"A INT, please" m
The waiter noted down this fright
prescription with entire equa- ia
nifty, but fingered. EFT mon OF
,ur-7" CT
Nothing, thank you" 10
Nothing. monsieur" Professional
Disc was sadly shattered for an in al
tant.
Bellamy tried 70 cover his annoy HI
ince with a laugh, but surprised
ook OF dark resentment in AmeMeH 81
eyes. z
do you want the walters 10 think I
you bring me here solely TO satisfy +
my appetite for liquor7" 7
Sorry, Amy. Make II a rule never
90 drink before evening"
Then why come here at all1"
Bellamy surveyed the restaurant
without bias. Not bad little hole
Tor people in our position"
The melon, inedible and uneaten,
vas removed, soup in cups was sub
tituted.
People in our positionI I'm to
Understand, then, any little hole Is
God enough for me, so long as
ont interfere with Lucinda's par
es at the Ritz"
Rellamy Strengthened his spine
ID put down his spoon. An under
anding captain of walters read his
oubled eye and made casual
casion TO draw the curtains across
. front of the booth.
1T IS because Lucinda's lunching
the Ritz today, isn't it7"
'.Afv dear Amy" said Bellamy 9
,lly; I'm unaware OF having done
ytbing to provoke this, and If I've l
ned unwittingly, I beg your par
, very truly. Wont you believe d
I. please, and let me off for to- =,
z? / am feeling rather rusty my
dear. and this is beginning 10
on my nerves" n,
Il his first words the woman drew