Evening star., 1924-05-11
A Story by Elaine Sterne

'I'1l think about It," she said, her
head on one side Then she looked at
Peter sharply.
Hey, what's the matter with you?
You look sick"
II am" he said. -
Chick said. "Why. you do look all
in. old man"
Bobby tugged at his arm "Come
into my dressing room and TIL pour
you a drink"
Her dressing room was hung IN
rose chintZ, with rose shades screen
ing the lights The dressing table
was confusion OF powder, powder
puffs, rouge, lipsticks and eyebrow
pencils. There were flowers, too
roses Peter sank down in a wicker
chair. He was very grateful to close
his eyes. Then he felt her bending
over him.
Suddenly he caught her wrist.
will you marry me?" he said.
Bobby flung back her head and
laughed. Her throat was smooth and
long and white.
Sure" she told him-"anything to
please you, if you drink this. like a
good boy"
Better take him up" grinned
Chick His old man is the Pitts
burgh coal king"
The whisky burned Peters throat
and cleared his head. He rose to his
feet.
Bobby was looking at him with a
smile, her ashes yelling her eyes
See you later" she said. I'm glad
you're better" Then she thrust her
hand in his, and. pulling him toward
her, reached up on her tiptoes and
kissed his lips 81 like you" she nod
ded, and ran upstaira
CHICK had q studio. Bobby had
been there before, and she led
the way, switching on lights that
glowed redly. Peter followed, watch
ing every move of her slender body.
He had never seen any one SO grace
ful-so alive.
Chick and May can dig for food"
she told him. 81 want to show you
my picture; and she drew him over
TO a corner where a sketch OF her
in costume was pinned to the wall
Peter said, I'm going to steal it,
DO II quick" she laughed, be
fore Chick sees you"
He did, looking over his shoulder
as he pulled it down.
Chick was shaking cocktails: tell
ing May some story of college days,
at which she was laughing uproar-
iously.
why must you go back to Pitts
burgh7- Bobby sighed. I'VE could
have such good times IL you stayed
here"
TIL get you Job In the bank"
called Chick
Peter felt lifted up, gay, carefree.
He wanted to say something funny
so they would laugh-laugh hard
He turned to Bobby. Don't want
to go back unless 1 take you with
me-"
May clapped her hands. ~Bobby'll
go. She's just dying for a change
of scenery"
See here" Peter said. Tn seri-
GUS"
They laughed at him and he knew
he had to convince them.
MY old man wants me to get
married-always talking about it"
Chick said, Forget it"
But Bobby leaDed closer. '."Go on"
she nodded, her eyes on his face.
Wants me to get married, I said
Well, I'm going to. Tomorrow. First
thing in the morning. That is. il
she'll have me. Will, you, Bobby?
Will you take mer
will I?'' echoed Bobby, her arm
ask me twice.
Chick turned on them angrily.
You're drunk. the whole lot Of
you. You don't know what you're
saying. Forget it and let's have
some fun"
But Peter shook his head First
thing in the morning, Chick. You
be best man; that's a good fellow.
Nothing's going to stop me, SO save
your breath"
The final edition of the evening pa
pers next day carried an item men
tioning that Bobby Caruthers of the
Follies had married one Peter Dean
of Pittsburgh. That was the first
Dean heard Of It When he arrived
homo he found, with the rest of his
mail, an ob1ong cardboard package
marked personal Dean opened it. 1t
contained a charcoal sketch of red
Tipped, black-haired siren. Under it
was scrawled in Peters hand:
Dear Father: This is your daugh-
ter-in-law. We await your blessing.
Peter
He tore the picture viciously across
a hn Ia