Evening star., 1928-11-18

!
/ frightfully tired, somehow. Telephone
me at lunch time tomorrow, please"
! She pulled off the fur coat and step
ped onto the pavement. Then, running
| to keep warm, hurried up the steps and
into the house. The heavy outside door
closed on the little figure. She had not
stopped to wave Good night" to him
X 4 X x
| THE Stoner apartment was on the
sixth floor Of a building that, be-
sides containing a marble hall, two
| clipped box trees in tubs, and three
colored elevator boys, also provided
homes for every one from the one
oom-and-bath people to the studio
duplex with seven rooms attached
Simone, dropping in to see Blanche and
Oracle Stoner, stepped out OF the eie.
vator on their floor; but decided to t1nd
out why Jimmie hadn't answered ner
| telephone call, and, after waiting 10
hear the clang of the metal door behind
here, looked discreetly around and then
slipped down the stairs.
At the door of his tiny fiat she rang
lightly. Finally it was opened, and she
stepped inside.
Jimmie stood there looking very pale
and breathing heavily.
whats the matter with you?" asked
I Simone.
II don't know" he answered. cold
or something. In my chest. 1 guess:
It was wonderful of you to come and
see me, darling"
That's all right" she replied. mo
one saw me coming in. What I want to
know is why you didn't answer the
telephone this morning"
Il couldn't sleep last night, and /
finally got to sleep about 9 this morn
ing, suppose | didn't hear it..
Awfully sorry. dear"
We'll 1 think it was sodden of you
to sleep through that way. You look
shot. you know Been drinking?"
mo, just feeling rotten"
Listen I want to go over to Balti-
more tonight There's a marvellous
party over there, and Baby and l want
to CO. She's got man, so that will
make four. If we start about $3.50
we'll be in time. You'd better drive,
because this bird hasn't a car. Then
we'll start back at 4 and get home
Simone turned to go.
Jimmie stopped her.
"Simone, honestly can't I've got
headache and a sore throat, besides
these noises like q worn-out boiler IT.
over tonight, dear"
Spare me the details of the leprosy,
please. The fresh air would do you
good-besides, want to go. What help
is it to your cold to lie around here? I
suppose you've been f1ddling with that
confounded toy boat"
The COMPOUNDED toy boat" his be-
loved model, stood on card table in
the little sitting room.
Simone's beautiful little features
looked nipped and furious for
moment.
Are you going to take me or are
you not?" she asked.
Il can't" he answered.
Then you can take back your ring
The whole things off-broken-smash-
Fec. anyway. It's broken for good
too" Taking up her umbrella, she
brought down the stubby handle on
the TOY boat with amazing violence
Now fiddle with your old invention as
much as you like. I'm through"
MARY JANE, reading the next day
AVA in one corner of the upstairs sit
ting room. was startled by Simone's
sudden appearance.
WlldO uHs SAlC dShC0
Il don't know what to do about the
dinner tonight-who to put in Jimmie's
place." Simone answered.
why, I thought he was coming!
Is there anything the matter?"
"The engagement is broken--that's
ALL"
We'll, WE'LL" said Mary Jane. We'll,
we'll"
You'd better phone him and say
that, under the circumstances he won't
be expected. I certainly am not going
to phone him myself"
"It's funny he hasn't rung up and
gotten out of 1t himself wonder why.
However it's none of my business, and
I'll telephone him, If you like"
Simone left the room to give the
waitress some message about dinner be-
fore she went out Some time later she
questioned the girl about Mary James
sudden departure from the house, but
all she remembered was that after
talking on the phone, Miss Mary Jane
had gone out
Mary Jane hurried up the street.
somehow disquieted by the remarks OF