Evening star., 1928-05-20

"The part? What part?"
why, the kidnapee, of course"
She smiled-sadly.
You've been a dear, John" Her
voice choked. Without you, I'd have
died"
Then you'd do 1t all over aga!n2
The kidnapping and nursing and alp"
She nodded. and he continued:
Because, if you're willing. I want TO
make it permanent thing. Cherry
only on a $3.50 basis. VIII you, dear?"
What do you mean?"
ct to do the kidnapping and you the
nursing-for always ne went on.
There was no hint Of mockery now in
his eyes. Still Cherry must be sure.
You mean?"
Il love you. want you to take care
of me always. Say it isn't too Dig
Job Say you'll do it, dear"
What about that grip" she asked
stonily
Girl? What girl?" he asked.
The girl you were going TO see
tomorrow"
"O-o-h!" He smiled his winning
smile. Perhaps I was a little pre-
mature about that" he said. but.
from something you said. I'd begun to
hope that by tomorrow I'd have a girl.
viii I. Cherry?"
"Y-yes," said Cherry. "on-only I
don't know your name-or-anythlng
about you--"
IN tell you." began John. and tried
to draw her TO him.
NO! MOI" Cherry held him back.
II don't know who you are-and
T"-her voice swelled tremulouSly-"and
don't care. either"
A dance was ending Cherry. her
heart beating high. stood with John at
the open window.
The next dance viii be ours" John
said, but I'll have to leave you for
few minutes first" He placed q chair
for her. Just beside the window and
was gone.
CHE waited-waited a little longer.
- Finally she began to worry. Johns
/ few minutes were such long ones. She
| looked in through the window.
| People were crowding around some
! one.
"Crabtree's arrived" 1t was q voice
| inside the window-the same young
| man who had sat at the table oppo-
| site her at dinner. He was talking TO q
girl. I'm introduce him. Is soon as We
| can get near him. Everybody wants to
| meet him
Cherry couldn't help contrasting J.
!
/ the one accorded hersef-or the one
| bestowed upon John CarStairs. In the
| crowd ffuttered Mrs. Jardtne and her
| daughter. accompanied by the olaSe
| Twiny
She'll drop you. Twiny. for Mr..
| Crabtree If she gets q chance. She's
/ hoping for the first dance with him"
| said Cherry 10 herself.
/ Finally the orchestra struck up
even the music had been Stilled. that
| inLroductions might be unhampered.
she could have every dance.
Just then the groups surrounding the
lion fell back. and the Soft-eyed maid
ems registered a look Of disappointment.
Cherry wondered what had happened.
and stepped in through the window.
She strained for 3 look at Mr.. Crab
tree.
And as the groups opened, as the
crowd separated to let him pass, she
saw him.. Wellington Crahtree. alias
John CarstairS!
Cherry'S heart stood still.
Straight toward her he came. out OF
the crowd that had gathered TO meet
him. In and out around the dancers,
past scores of eyes that lingeringiy
sought TO detain him. he came swiftly
over to where she stood and held out
his arms.
At the end OtNhe dance, his cousin
came up to them,
Il want to be presented" He
smiled at Cherry. And later: Jack
tells me you've been Good Samaritan 10
him. Miss Mercer. Ii Was better than
he deSerred-running OF from us. as
usual. without money or clothes. All
he did was send q telegram that he'd
meet us Saturday"
My dear Stoddard." John was
drawing. III you'd ever been kidnapped.
you'd reaiize-" He stopped as an In
dux of people bore down on them
"Oh. Mr., Crahtree. TO think Of your
being here all week and not = soul
taking the slightest notice OF you!"
You're wrong there" John answered
Cherry didn't hear what else he said.
for = voice was sounding in her ears.
Miss Mercer. IL was unkind of you
not 10 tell MS" Cherry turned 70 look
into the reproachfal face OF Mrs, Jar
dine,
yes. indeed. We could have had
some nice parties together" simperea
Miss Jardine.
Cherry stood by. She marveled as
how very much icehergS could melt
But John was speaking. He was
smiling at the crowd-hiS wonderful,
mgratiating smile.
And IFS really awtully nice OF YOU.
appreciate the honor. But shah
not be able TO accept any Invitations
You see. I'm going 10 be narried-~peF-
hans, tomorrow and"
Softly the cadenceS OF the waltz roSe
and fell Johns arms reached for
Cherry's waist One by one the lights
went out leaving the ropln Tn a rosy
twilight glow The dancers drSanily
gltCied, turned and Swayea.
For the hast few bars the lights went
entirely out and the room was In =
duSkv gloom.
kiss me. Cherry" said J. welling-
ton Crahtree. And Cherry, loving. hon-
oring~-obeyed,
tCanxrlsAt. HoSSA