The Washington times., 1928-10-03

and powdered Fit to kill. The
Sedgwick girls met her one day
It's all over town. Eyerybody's
laughing their heads off. You
know what models are" She
laughed shrilly. What . Joke
on those two old mummies up
the hill! Ha, ha. They'll have
10 come down off their high horse
sMaison Francine whetevel
the dickens that is"
The ferry was just churnang
into the slip. He tore down the
hill. With a little luck he'd
make it.
How did I ever stay away so
long?" he wondered. He clenched
his hands In his pockets, and
! paced up and down the deck.
Maybe 1t was a good thing we
did get all ba.wled UP. II / had
known she was here, I'd have
been here foo, I'd never nave
stayed on with old man Keyes'
And he thought of the position
man had for him, and the little
Maybe it's ali for the best.
He wondered how shed look
when she saw him. Would she
look up at him with the glad well
coming smile, and her heart in
her eyes as she used to do? Or
would there he a strangeness at
z hand. It's been so long, Bill
SO long2"
He found the place. door next
to a florists shop. A window in
which was displayed one glitter
ing costly gown, pale ermine
wrap thrown over carved bench
beside it. A flask of amber col
ored perfume, a long string Of
pearls, small heap Of barbaric
bracelets.
This was where Joan worked.
This was the place.
He walked by the door, hum
ming. Then he walked back,
clearing his throat angriIy. What
did he care for a bunch of
women? But the place was full
of them. Al fine figure he'd cut.
walking In there, asking for
Joan. Meeting her, with the
curious eyes Of strangers upon
them. He shook his head. It
wouldn't be right.
Oh II he only knew where she
lived. Her home. He could 70
to her home, find her alone.
What q prize idiot he'd been to
dash out of the house the minute
his mother said she had lost the
address.
He took q turn up to the corner.
There was, druggist there. He
could telephone. His fingers
shook so that he could hardly
turn the leaves of the book, d
penny rolled one way and q dime
another as he searched for the
nickel to drop in the slot.
II want to speak to Miss Hast
ings, Miss Joan astings," he said,
very loud.
He waited. Ages. Eternities.
Suppose she didn't work there at
all. Suppose Dolores had Ia.
vented the name along with the
rest Of her story!
"Yes?"
Was that Joan? It might be.
Us that you, Joan?'' he asked,
hoarsely, and tapped the phone
again, frantically.
Il can hardly hear YOU" her
voice came family. Where are
lie almost wrecked the receiver
with the fierce taps he gave 1t.
Joan, is that yoH--Joan. is it,"
either?''
Curtis. Curtis.
This is-Binm he called .des.
perately. "Billw Al buzzing
sound again-the sound of the
empty wire. Operator. YOU cut
me Off? he shouted.
Number, please? NUMBER"
he hung up furiously. Damn
the operator, damn the phone
company. damn all telephones-
He took up his stand by the
WINDOW again. to wait. 70 wait
Tor Joan to come out.
A car drew up at the curb. A
me- jumped out. walked non.
chaN.ntly into the shop. Rill
watched him thoughtful1y, He
loathed men who went into WON.
ems shops, but he admitted tha
fellows courage just the same.
Curtis Joan distinctly
said Curtis oh. we'll son,s
friend. she had friends. of
He was musing on that when
he saw her. Her sweet. cold
head. her slim. tall body, moving
gracefully past him. Her deem
eyes, deep and clear and green as
sea water. Her red lips narted.
smiling. Smiling up at Soma one
else.
Her fluttering blue gown al
most touched him. He put out
his hand - Johnnie" Did he
really call her-or was it the cry
from his heart. his soul. his whole
starved being?
She did not hear.
She stepped, with her. delicate
high-heeled slippers, into the
waiting car. The mans ewes
never left hers. He was loving
her, worshtpping her. as he helped
he into the car.
And Joan put one slender yel-
low-gloyed hand over his.
Curtis, LIN so glad you cana
early!'
When the sun had set, and the
street lights cast their bright
blue.white light into the dark
streets, Bill Martin was still walk
ing, aimIessly now, up and down,
UP and down the deserted shop
ping district. He did not know
three hours had passed.
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