Evening star., 1928-01-26

across and waved her hand at Paul
who replied stiffiy. She whispered &
| Bretskopf. An evil smile flashed intI
! the latter's face. lie sent for a waiter
who presently crossed the floor anC
approached Paul.
"A gentleman there wants you tC
dance with his lady friend" he an
nouuccd.
You can tell him." Paul replied
that my time is all engaged this
evening"
The waiter hesitated. The message
WAS an unusual one. He returned
| however, and delivered it. Bretskopf's
sCowl deepened and he beckoned tC
the manager They talked together
| for a moment.
why don't you dance with me-?
Frances whispered. You can't he
dragged away. / can pose as client
can't /? You can say that you are
taking me on cheaply because our
steps match SO Well"
Paul shook his head.
Thank YOU. Miss AUSTIN" he said
1T is very thoughtful of you, but this
matter must be settled otherwise"
The manager came across TO them.
He was looking little perpleXed. lie
addressed Paul in friendly fashion.
The gentleman there wants you
very much to dance with Mile. Lola. -
he announced. You have no objec.
tion?"
Il am sorry TO say that I have.
Paul replied II will dance with no
one who is in the company of that
person"
The manager frowned. The tone
was new 10 him.
who is the man." he inquired.
Bretskopf-the revolutionary. Be
lieve me. Mr.. Maturan. l have excel.
lent reasons for my refusal"
1T isn't usual. you know" the man.
ager ventured.
The circumstances are unusual. 4"
Paul pointed out curtly. THE man
Bretskopf is scoundrel and a mur-
derer. l will touch no one who has
been in his company"
They have ordered very expensive
supper the manager grumbled. mo
one spends money like these. How.
ever. | will see whether Mile. Lola
will be content with Alfred"
lie departed on his errand OF com.
promise. Breiskopf's face darkened
as he listened to what he had TO say.
The sirl leaned back tanning herself,
with an amused smile. She shook her
fist rlayfully over at Paul, who was
finishing his supper calmly.
Il hope this won't mean any trouble
for YOU" Miss Brown said.
Il do not wish TO lose my job here. &"
Paul acknowledged. Il would sweep
the streets IL il were necessary TO earn
money-but there are things which
are impossible"
The manager returned. He was OBJ
viously little annoyed and had the
air of man tired OF the subject.
I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to
Put away your preJudices." he said to
Paul. The gentleman insists. He
points out that you are engaged here
10 dance. which is quite true. and he
claims the right to engage you. He
saws that YOU can double your fee."
For moment Miss Brown was
afraid. There was fury in Paurs
face which reminded her Of the pre-.
vious occasion when he had spoken of
this man. He restrained himself, how.
ever. with an effort.
Il am sorry" he said. nothing will
induce me TO dance with Mile. Lola
While she IS in her present company"
Its no good taking that tone" the
other protested. some Of the suaveness
OF his manner already gone. These
fellows have got the pull over there
they've got the money to spend and
you have your living TO earn"
Paul said nothing for moment, but
he appeared to be celebrating.
Come now" the manager enjoined.
BE sensible"
II was only hesitating," Paul said.
whether ] should go and repeat the
thrashing / gave TO that man last
time we met. If ] were not accom-.
panied by my young lady friends this
evening ] should certainly do So"
The manager lost his temper.
Its damned nonsense talking like
that" he said. ''If you won't dance
with Mile. Lola. you dance with no
one else here. now or at any other
time. Is that understood?"
Perfectly" Paul replied coIdlv.
Our engagement can be considered at
an end. I am paying for my supper
and / shall dance with my young lady
guests. After that / will enter your
place no more"
The manager turned away speech.
less with anger. Frances laid her
hand upon Pauls coat sleeve.
Il am very sorry, indeed, that this
should have happened" she sa id. "but
you are quite right. Something else
viii come along. Life wouldn't he
worth living II one had to give In TO
such detestable people"