Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-05
THE EVENING STORY

F., generously. She was like q saucy
| bluejay beside little brown wren az
she stood ignoring Barbara completely
"Wait till I get Adele's book and
| then you can take me home-via the
| Royal IAN ice cream parlor). Hold
my bag" She thrust a beaded con-
| traption into his hands and walked to
the desk. Barbara slowly followed.
She watched them go out with a
queer expression on her face.
The next day Stephen did not come,
and the day after that the blond girl
came in with him. She had evidently
taken complete possession Of him.
AS she bore him off again the light
died out of Barbara's face. For a
week she went about her duties as In
the old days before she had known
Stephen. Then one evening he came
in alone and fingered, waiting for
closing time. But just as Barbara
was putting on her hat the blond girl
fluttered in.
oh" she said, I'm so glad I ran
into you. Stephen. l want to go by
Elsie's and see about that Joy ride
we planned"
For a moment Barbara stood still
and rigid. Stephen gave her an apollo.
getic glance as If begging her to un-
l.
smiled-that ripping, Illuminating
smile-at the girl who was capturing
him by force.
Barbara's rigidity broke and she be-
came intensely alive. Yet her voice
when she spoke was cool, arrogant.
"Mr. Crothers Is seeing me home"
The blond girl stared blankly as II
this was the first time she had seen
Barbara. Stephen looked from one to
the other. not knowing which way to
turn.
I'm ready" said Barbara, taking
her coat from the hook and putting
it on.
Il want to get another book" said
the girl haughtily.
Sorry" returned Barbara coldly.
earlier" And she moved to the door
and stood waiting for the others to
pass out.
On the way homo Barbara took
Stephens arm as she had seen the
blond girl do. She talked gayly and
senselessly, a running fire Of frivolous
small talk.
Stephen was not responsive. He ap-
peared Ill at ease, and at her door left
rather abruptly, but not before she
had made an engagement for the next
day. Something she had heretofore
left to him. A few evenings later, as
Stephen read at his favorite table, the
blond girl rang up on the telephone
and wanted to speak to Mr.. Crothers.
Barbara called Stephen and then
shamelessly listened to his end Of the
conversation.
"Yes?" he said.
"Why, certainly. Glad to-
"What? Oh, that won't be neces.
sary. I'll stop by"
mo. really. No bother"
"Oh. well, IL you prefer" He hung
up.
Presently the obnoxious blond came
in and insolently carried Stephen off.
Something within Barbara burst
bounds. 1t cried out that Stephen was
her man; that II he was the sport Of
women's wills. then she, Barbara, also
had will. She had thought he liked
to take the lead himself. II he pre-.
ferred to be led, very we'll. She would
hold the rope.
The dawn Of a new day strength.
ened her wild resolve. Masterfully
she took the bit between her teeth and
went forth to conquer or die. She
enveloped Stephen, overwhelmed him,
took him by storm. He permitted her
to monopolize him as he had the
blond, too polite to protest. But after
a few days Barbara felt lack some.
where. There was no doubt about her
conquest. She could have married
him at any minute had she 80 willed
But it would have been her will, not