Evening star., 1929-01-01


down the stairway he was smitten with
jealousy of these men who made love
to her at first acquaintance" A Jeal-
ousy, too, which he had never felt with
Anne, no matter how madly she 1trted.
This young dancer-lovely. sweet,
simple. beautiful. She needed protec-
ton against the predatory male that
bounded the footsteps of attractive
young ladies of the theater. Richard
telephoned her after ne reached his
club. Would she take supper with
him that night after the performance.
She would be delighted.
This was the first of a series Of daily
meetings For two weeks Richard mo-
nOpolized every moment of her spare
time Anne was in the country. He
had note from her asking him down
He replied. putting off his coming with
some vague words about business. Anne
did not grow uneasy until the end of
the second week, when Richard had
not appeared This was not according
to schedule. She resolved to go into
town.
Not finding Richard at his club-he
was with Yvonne-she called Bob
West
This is Anne-iust IN for the day.
Bob. I'm famished Come, be a good
fellow take me to tea
Sure thing, Anne. I'll be right
around.
At the Ambassador, where they met
in the lobby. Bob caught a GLIMPSE cf
Dick escorting Yvonne to q small table.
He caught Anne's arm.
There goes your erstwhi!e cavalier,
Anne"
what do you mean?" There was
genuine surprise in Anne's voice.
Bob looked at her in amazement.
Didn't you honestly know that Dick
has been rushing that little dancer,
Mademoiselle, right and left ever since
your party?"
Anne controlled her features with an
effort. "Oh, that's nothing" she said.
You know what these women are:
Don't make any mistake, Anne,
Dicks not that kind. 1t looks to me as
though he had caught the real thing
this time The girls never played any
favorites before, either"
Anne bit her lip. Lets go in," she
suggested.
All during tea she watched Dick as
closely as she could. He did not see
her hidden by a pillar. She could see
that he was deeply absorbed in his
companion. She grew uneasy. 1t ap-
parently was high time she called him
doubt her power to do so for an in
slant.
1t was to this end she left a mes
sage for him at the club. I'm town fer
the evening and expecting you for din
ner at the Ambassador, Anne"
True to her expectations, he called
her little after 6.
Dick, you bad boy" she scolded.
you've been neglecting me shamefully.
Come over right away and you are po-
sitively going back to the farm with me
tonight. Mother and father have been
looking for you for a week.
I'm come for dinner. Anne" Dick
answered. But l have an engagement
for supper tonight. after the theater.
And I won't be able to come out to the
farm with you, I'm sorry to say"
Anne waited jmpatiently for him to
arrive for dinner. He was polite and
noncommittal when he saw her. All
through the meal. Anne tried TO pierce
his armor She f1irted with him, she
let him see she cared for him. she ap-
pealed to his chivalry to relieve her
loneliness. But to it all he was i'm
pervious.
At last Anne decided on final and
desperate play.
"They tell me you're infatuated with
the little French dancer she said at
last.
Richard made no answer, beyond a
slight start. Another little gold dig
ger I suppose" Anne went on. Il
thought you were past that stage.
Dick"
Miss Perreault is hardly gold
digger" Richard answered.
NO? Then how explain her care
full selection Of yourself to play around
with. Others have been trying to get
her number for long time. But she
waits until handsome, rich, near
widower hoves in sight, and then goes
for him hammer and tongs."
That's hardly fair, Anne. I'm do
ing the pursuing, if YOU can call 1t
that?"
And what about the little wife in
the old country? Forgotten her?"
NO" Richard said Soberly. Il
haven't forgotten her-but she hasn't
seemed very real since 1 met Miss Per-
reault.'
Neither have l. apparently" Anne
Richard. that I was not playing when
gave YOU all my time this Spring"
Neither was t. Richard said
quietly. II offered you sincerely what
l thought you wanted-friendship.'
Anne laughed And what are you
offering the little gold digger, Dick?
More friendship"
Dick leaned toward her and spoke
quietly and with such dignity that
Anne'S mockery left her face.
They call it love, 1 believe" he said.