Evening star., 1928-05-20

-. Wellington Crabtree, Cherry
read aloud. "He'S the guest of honor
tomorrow night She repeated what
she had heard in the morning. Hes
not only famous ace but famous
bachelor and very. very eligible. Mrs.
Orr said. That's why the ball is to be
given for him tomorrow night"
Because he's a famous bachelor or
because he's a famous ace?"
Il think, John"-Cherrys face was
solemn-'it's because he's rich-awful-
ly rich"
There. there. don't get all heated
up against Crabtree, just because Of
those people. He's probably the Crab
tree I knew in the army. Not a bad
sort. really. Only he was Jack Crab
tree then-not j. Wellington. That's
his family's doings. And, speaking of
riches, Cherry" he went on quickly,
that reminds me, I've wired for some
money. Don't let me forget tomorrow
to give you back your roll"
You don't need to. I've got my
ticket home
THEY were walking back to the hotel
now. The moonlight was entranc-
ing the air balmy Couples passed up
| and down. arm in arm: waltz music
drifted out from the hotel. An utter
content fell upon Cherry. But sud-
denly. as they mounted the steps. peace
fed from her mind and reality entered
with thump.
| You can't dance tomorrow night.
she gaSped. "You-havent any eve
ming clotheSl"
! He laughed at her concern. Don't
| let that trouble you he reaSsured III
borrow some from the walters. Decent
| fellow. one of those walters. working
his way through college. He'll lend me
| his. know, If / ask him
All Saturday morning they guarded
his bad leg, carefully conserving it fol
the evening. Preparations for the
dance were going on all around them
! Decorations were UP in the ballroom
| A huge airplane of gilded cardboard
| hung from the chandelier. Ladies. ole
and young. especially the mothers oi
young ladies. were fluttering about.
We can thank J. wellington Crab.
| tree for tonight" said Cherry to John
| as they sat on the piazza after lunch
| con-
Then we'll give him q vote oi
| thanks" declared John.
| by the way, don't think he's ar.
| rived yet don't see any one around
who might be he. But just wouldn'
have been able to stand 1t here toda,
without you, John Carstairs. Every.
body so happy and busy and looking
You'd be looking forward to to-
night. too
"Yes-to being a wallfower. to sit.
| ting alone and looking on. my fee
| aching to dance my heart aching With
! lonesomeneSS.
/ And John smiled.
"What're you going TO do tomorrow
when I go?" she asked wistfully.
Tomorrow? Oh. tomorrows another
| day. IL hope tomorrow to have 9
date with my girl"
She Strove to say something. but nc
| words came. She merely sat looking
at Jehn.
"I'n tell you all about 1t tonight.
wrought
Yes. do" answered she. in her voice
much of the icy quality affected by the
ladies at the Imperial Shortly after
ward she excused herself, thought shed
lie down for while. Immediately
| John rose.
And think I'll go to my linen
| yoom," he said, Ito pack"
ITO pack" Cherry cried. then
laughed. in spite Of herself. He had
nothing to pack.
AS they approached the desk a young
man was registering He was accom-
| panied by another. apparently q valet.
| Several porterS stood about. laden with
| bags. HoSkinS' face wore q rapt look,
- Wellington Crabtree," Cherry
| thought. and turned to tell John Car
stairs, But that gentleman had dis
appeared.
THE orchestra was beginning to play.
lust as she came down. Sup
pressed excitement everywhere Even
the Jardines seemed caught by 1t.
Miss Jardine'S features were--for them
lit up, and her mother wore q pleas
| antly preoccupied air. II seemed years
since the night Cherry had been in
trodaced 10 them,
Mrs. Orr, in passing. nodded TO Miss
Jardine Hope youll have the firSt
dance with him." she said.
A table for two was set ccnSpicu-
ously In the center OF the dining room,
Dinner was half over, and vet II re-
manned unoccupied Soft ewes, and
hard. feveriSh glanceS and calculating
ones were turned upon II. Then sud-
denly he came~-the young man Cherry
had seen registering,
Yes looks as II he could have a
good time. even here among the tee
bergs." muSed Cherry.
"Crahtree'S cousin, Secretary of his
ar something Always travels with
him" A man at table back Of
Cherry was speaking.
where's Crahtrees" asked another
Got here late. hear. and dining IN
his room"
Cherry could see nothing OF John
CarStairS~-not that she was expecting
To She did hope he would get some
thing 10 eat, and wondered how long
work and out OF their clothes,
One window of the ballroom opened
upon the most secluded corner OF the
piazza. II was here Cherry had prom
iSed To wait for John, she herself had
suggested II, "r'n see how the clothes
fit him" she thought Il don't want
MIN TO be laughing stock before these
people"
The orchestra was tuning up Cav
voices tioated out through the windows
Then the first strains OF music,
Ecstasy rose in Cherry'S heart, She
wished John would hurry,
And suddenly there he waS' The
waiter, whoever he was. must have been
cut Of the ordinary, for the evening
clothes were perfection, And the eourt~
plaster was removed from Johns face
w. the long scratches had faded into
tiny lines, She had not thought he
could look 50 handsome, That wretohed
other girl
TELL me, Cherry" he said finally.
have | acquitted myself welle How
do you think I've played the partg"