Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17


ardently.
Come in" she commanded. II
want you to meet the Count dAdoni-
an old friend of mine who refuses to
believe l have been SO heartless as to
marry somebody else. Assure him
that l have"
The count came gracefully to his
leet with equal self-possession. He
stood erect and easy, olive skinned and
very good to look upon. with his black
hair smartly brushed and his mus
Itache smartly clipped.
| Il congratulate-and envy YOU" he
said in precise English.
The smile that revealed the fash of
his teeth was beyond cavil. But in his
eyes there was a suggestion Of the
| ironic that was an affront.
This Bill was given no chance to d.
gest.
"Gracious" exclaimed Eve. What
on earth have you been doing-mak-
ing mudpies with other little boys in
| the park
Il helped a man change a tire, "
| Bill confessed, confusedly.
You go change YOURSELF she COM
manded. And take a tub as well"
When he returned TO the living
room, ii was deserted.
Madam" Ewes maid informed him,
| Is OUT Will iOullk u +huOlil
She came in at midnight. The count
came in with her. Bill, in his room.
heard snatches of conversation, and
presently the scent OF their cigarettes
reached him.
THE count departed Bill heard Ewes
footsteps in the hall. His heart
| Quickened and almost suffocated him
| as she approached his door.
Eve paused, then knocked.
Come in," he managed to say.
Eve came in. She was lovelier than
ever. She was his first impression.
And then he saw the gown she wore
decolette. Gallo and daring.
| Did you wear that thing" he de-
manded. abruptly.
Thing" echoed Eve In honest sur
prise. What do you expect me to
wear to hear Heifetz? a Mother Hub
| bardr"
To that Bill made no answer. He
managed that by sheer physical effort,
| and this she realized. Her lovely eyes
hardened.
| II should say" she commented
| that my appearance IS much more
| suitable to the occasion than yours
was when you came home this after
noon
II had no idea you were-entertain-
ing" he said.
| That she deliberately miscOnstrued.
ooh. ! can be-very!" she retorted
Given the necessary inspiration"
Desire to strike back inspired that,
vet there was key TO the truth in f.:
and that was that Eve found New
York up to today dull and unsatisfy-
ing. Bill could not guess that and she
could not have explained Il.
! The count, arriving unexpectedly.
had refreshed and kindled her. To her
the count had been what the changing
of tire had been to Bill. She had felt
as innocent as a kitten when she had
surrendered TO the impulse to knock
| at his door, and he had taken her
utterly by surprise.
Now she turned her back to him A
very pretty back it was, and most of
It was visible. But not to Bill. All
Bill saw was red He had a primitive
desire to lay hands on her; to stay
her departure and assert his author
ity. But he let her leave the room
unchecked without another word.
The next morning Bill walked over
to the West Side and there inspected
the garage the taxi driver had spoken
Of. The taxi driver was not there, but
his brother-in-law. otherwise known
as Gus, was.
Say. Eddie, where did you get the
idea that guy was soft?" demanded
Gus Of the taxi driver that night.
'Hard-boiled ia call him.
He acted like a regular Christmas
tree yesterday" protested Gus.
HE isn't-believe me. Oh, he's
coming across with the coin, but
bank couldn't have driven a harder
bargain. And, what's more, he got
into overalls today and worked until
after six on that old bus of Daley's.
He's a good mechanic. at that. Said
he'd be around to finish the job. 1
wonder how he gets that way"'
X X
THEN Bill came home one evening,
just as the count was taking his
farewell. The count had most gal
lantly kissed Ewes hand and then as
PRED to higher achievement. Eve had
eluded him, hooking and provocative,
but determined to deny him. The
count had not yet gotten that idea.
Nor did Bill, entering at that moment.
Eve remained mistress of the situa-
ton.
II had just warned Edmonde," she
said serenelv, that you might come
In
Bill looked at the count.
You were going, / believer" he
suggested, mis- voice clipping the
words.
The count hesitated. then. bending
stiffiy from the waist, with an air Of
Conceding nothing, withdrew. AS the
door closed behind him Bits eyes
met Ewes. She drew a swift, invol-
untary breath. The brown eyes which
had once lifted to hers so ardently
| were blazing cold.
| 1T seems apparent" he said, that
| we've made a mistake"
Congratulations on your perspi-
cacity." she replied. II suppose you
refer to our marriage. Well, what do
you propose to do about it?"
Let you get a divorce"
"How perfectly sweet Of your
She had feeling that he was see
ing her at last as she really was. He
left without another word.
And that" remarked Eve. is that.
But I do wish ne had slammed the
door"
Ewes mother came in brna' HI 'sslv
Eve, I'm so glad! I was afraid he
might not agree to divorce"
"And he suggested it himself. Did
he sound unchIvalrously glad to get
rid Of me to you. too? He did to me.
. Wasn't that irritating of him."
Ewes mother gave her a sharp
glance. But Ewes face has a lovely
mask.
You must see lawyer-the sooner
the better" she advised.
Tomorrow" promised Eve.
Eve did. She told the lawyers there
would be no contest. She was mo-
mentarily dashed when the lawyer
asked her for Bills address. Then
she remembered the garage, and told
him he would find Bill there. He did.
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