Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-22

BY HAZEL DEYO BACHELOR.

was enough of the feminine in her to
be rather excited at the thought of
seeing Martin Lee again. She didn't
stop to analyze it.
Hurry. dear" she admonished him.
1--WE mustn't be late, you know. Be
sides, am dying to see how you look
in your dinner coat. I've never seen
you in one"
Tom tied his bow tie slowly and
with great precision. Then he put on
his vest. Then came the coat. and
as he shook himself into it, as so
many men do, he turned to Nan for
approval. She wouldn't tell him for
the world, but it wasn't exactly
smart. There was something about
the way the shoulders punched out
that she didn't like. 1t was probably
because of the old-fashioned cut, and,
ding these days.
But his eXpanse of shirt.front was
beautiful, and above his collar were
his dear, dark head and his tWinkling
gray eyes.
Every time she looked into them
and saw the wealth of love they had
for her it made her want to cry.
But, of course, she mustn't cry to-
night, because it would ruin her
makeup. She always used mascara
to make her eyelashes look longer.
The artists liked it.
And so she just beamed on him.
Darling, you're perfect. You're the
most wonderful man in all the world. 4"
He was looking at himself in the
mirror.
Not so good" he said, frowning.
But it will have to do. AS soon as
l can afford it 1 must get a new
suit
What fun to run down the four
flights of stairs pell-mell like two
children! Nan was wrapped in a
shawl Of her mothers. a lovely thing
of white that had deepened to ivory.
Her head was bare.
She stood on the steps while Tom
went to find a taxi, and then they
were on their way uptown.
Fifth avenue first and then the
brighter lights of Broadway. And
Nan, held fast within the circle of
Toms arm, couldn't keep her eyes
away from the taxi meter. How it
jumped ahead.
They were little late. The others
were waiting. Through a daZe Nan
saw them gathered together in a
little circle.
Helen was talking vivaciously.
glancing here and there about the
lobby. There was another girl, a
rather dark, flapperish type, with a
close bob. and a heavenly evening
wrap of rose-brocaded satin, with
white fox, and-there was Martin
Lee.
He stood a little back from the
others, and, although Nan didn't
know it, he saw her the minute she
entered the lobby. She lit the place
like a flame. Beside her this girl,
whose name was Valerie Moore.
seemed like a paste imitation of a
jewel. He wondered why Helen had
invited her.
Nan, followed by Tom, pushed her
way up to the little circle. Even
Charles Sheridan's bored face lighted
up when he saw her.
There were confused greetings, and
Nan was conscious of Martin Lees
eyes upon her. Then they were all
trooping into the theater and down
| to a stage box.
An usher led the way, her lighted
torch on the floor lest they stumble.
The play had begun and Nan was
uncomfortably aware Of the fact that
she and Tom had been to blame
Then she became absorbed and for
got all about everything else. Martin
Lee watched her more than he
watched the stage.
He heard the lines and occasionally
he turned his eyes toward the stage.
But for the most part he was alb
sorbed in Nan. What a rotten deal
| fate had dealt him. He had lived to
| be 40. found the one woman in the
world that would do. and another
| man had taken her away from him
| before he had had a chance.
His eyes turned to Tom. Tom s
eager young face was also absorbed.
He was q nice boy, but that was all.
| And Helen had told him that Nan
was still working.
(Copyright 1927
Continued in tomorroMs Star.l