Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-01
THE EVENING STORY

thlng you can uepenu on at tn'
Bostwick."
mo music except a photograph, n,
service-what's on the menu?" Sh,
glanced at it, and laid it aside with ar
Indifferent lifting of her exquisitely
trimmed eyebrows.
This baked ham looks good to me.
said Marvin. That's what I'll have
What for you, Claire?"
The chicken salad is very nice.
suggested the waitress.
Claire shrugged her shoulders ant
remained quiet.
Chicken salad, eh?" queried hel
husband
ooh. don't care. tell you I an
not hungry"
You might state your preference
at least" Marvin shot her an incenset
look.
The waitress withdrew. Claire, tap
ping the table with glittering nails
hummed provokingly.
Now you can come down to earth,
Marvin said savagely. IF it's tha
dress at Gifford's you're acting u,
over, I'll tell you right now you can
not have it. Ninety dollars is toe
much to pay for a rag covered with
beads"
IF l can't have that dress" Clair,
said tensely. II won't go to the Rath
burns with you Friday night. See Il
l do"
There was a big silence.
Now, see here, Claire the mar
said, you know just what will hap
pen If you don't so. Mrs. Rathburr
will never forgive you and her hus
band, being my boss, will take it ou
on me-"
II don't care if he does. don,
have to go there. anyway. They're e
pair of old frumps.'
They're good people and l dom
know where I'd he now if it wasnt
for old Rathburn.''
Il know where ! wish l were now,
said the woman with deadly intent.
Their food arrived and produced {
diversion. So. also had Amos order
Betty tasted the ham and to her sur
prise found that 1t was delicious. quit,
a new flavor. She beamed across a
Amos.
Something like, eh?" he beamet
hack at her. We're in luck TODAY
dear. Just stumbled on this place t,
eat. too
He. began to devote himself to hi
plate, and Betty had chance to hea
more of what was going on at tn,
| next table. She was becoming midi,
excited. Claire was picking at he
salad with the most provoking air O
getting what she wanted or nothing
and the man. his meal spoiled for him
was scowling into his plate.
Look here, Claire" he said at last
you're getting me up against 1t.
| can't afford to get that dress for you
q I 10 10
my salary now. Next thing I'll hav
to borrow money, and once that be
gins He made finite gesture.
II can't help it If you do. am no
going to pinch. You had no bushes
to get married if you couldn't sur
port your wife decently."
But l do Support you decently
don't I? Only when 1t comes to So
dresses you don't need. I've got t
| draw the line" He rubbed his fore
head despairingly. i've got my side
you know. Claire. I thought yout
play the game"
She was silent.
"If you aren't going to play tn
game" said Marvin desperately
what's the use? Come, be reason
able. Claire, for heavens sake! d,
you want to ruin me? Don't you car
hang what becomes of me?"
Hush" she said coldly. Some
body will hear you. You are shoutin,
like an Indian"
He said no more. but ate what h
could of his luncheon In abstraction
But 1t was evident that he was think
ing terribly. Betty trembled with ans
iety. Would he give in to Claire
Or would he he man enough to stan,
out for what he knew was right?
oh. ! hope he stands out" sh
thought.
A few minutes later. leaving hi
lunch half finished. the man arose
The woman also arose.
Seriously. Marvin" she said. 90
mean to have that gown at Gifford's.
Il see we've come to a showdown
he said quietly. You can't have tina
dress. And you are going to behay
yourself and go to the Rathburn
Friday night. That's straight. I ar
going honest no matter what comes.
He STROBE out and she followed hin
with establishment and, yes, admire
ton born in her eyes. Her lord ha
| spoken like master.
Bettv's gaze came back to Amos
He. too. was looking after the de
| parting couple.
N1ce-looklng congenial pair" h
said. How do you like her hat, dear
I wish l had money to dress YOU tina
way. Eh?" He drew long breath.
Careless Of others Betty leaned TO,
ward and touched his hand.
ooh. don't say that" she reptile
earnestly. II wouldn't be that won
an for anything on earth"
why. what's wrong with her?
Amos said stupidity. Manlike, he ha
been intent on his dinner and hadn'
heard thing.
Betty's blue eyes were misted wit
emotion.
She doesn't understand that ma,
riage has got to he a $3.50 propositio
right straight through she sale
Think. Amos, If l should insist o
your getting me a $40 Dress
Amos smiled at her tenderly. Blu
you wouldn't" he said.