Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-12
Lorene's Secret.

III
waited i'll the artiStically furnished Sun
room for his sweetheart, who was put
ting the finishing touches to dinner. He
lived at home and knew something OF
The cost OF such a dainty little ajart-
ment, and it worried him, for his salary
would not permit such scale OF living,
and he hesitated before asking Lorene
to marry him and move into cheap
little suburban home. AS for starting
married life by paying an eXorbitant
rent for the sake of keeping up with q
horde of total strangers, all engaged
in the squirrel-cage Of keeping up APP
pesrances, he considered this foollsn III
the extreme.
you will like for dinner" f1uttered
Lorene, who looked oddly tired for
girl who had nothing to do all day but
sit in 49, SIln-parlor and amuse herself.
John had spent a weaiying day among
his blue prints, but he looked less tired
than she.
you should not go to so much trou-
ble," protested John, looking uncom-
fortably at the elaborate table set with
silver candlestickS with tiny roSe-huted
shades and at the lace and damask cir
cular cloth I'VE live very simply at
home. My mother does her own work
and we prefer to have her use as few
dishes as possible. Living is so costly
these days that plain food is about all
we can manage"
Lorene's mother glanced at him
thoughtfully. but made no reply. John,
accustomed to the free discussion OF the
housework, wondered how much his
hostes hired done. There was no maid
to serve the meal, but he fancied, from
the amount of silver and cut glass used,
that there must be outside help used,
for both women were extensively gown
ed. and at the conclusion of the abun-
dant, almost eXtravagant, dinner they
both left the room with no apparent
thought for the putting away OF the
food or dishes.
John took Lorene to the theater. as
they had already planned, and because
she wore a delicate, white lace frock,
he felt obliged to call a taxi lest she
soil her satin pumps. The seats had
cost him $40, and, with the taxi fare
both ways, he had spent his surplus
for the week. The girl had never looked
prettier; the shadows of fatigue about
her dreaming, brown eyes lent her
fragile appearance that made the man
long to ask her to marry him and let
him take care OF her, but the very tran-
ness of her beauty made him hesitate.
If she was so tired out from the heat
of day filled with idleness, how could
she stand up under the strain OF max
ing both ends meet on his very moder-
ate salary. He had good prospects, but
at present his salary check was only
average for his age. She had scarcely
touched her dinner. Plate after plate
held delicate food that she had left
barely tasted.
81 was sorry not to bring you flowers,
he said as they sped up the brilliantly
lighted avenue.
Lorene stirred, the lights caught the
bronze tints in her beautifully coiffed
hair and it looked almost golden. I'm
glad you didn't" she said softly: Il
do not care for dollhouse flowers. I like
a garden where one works and watches
for the unfolding Of the buds. One ap-
preciates what is worked for. love the
country"
The taxi stopped before the apartment
building and John helped her out.
will you come up?" asked the girl
I'D better not" he said reluctantly.
at is pretty late, and have to get up
early"
Under the door light he noticed the
vivid flush that swiftly swept her face
Her lips parted as though she intended
to interrupt but at his next words
the blush receded, leaving her face 9
dead white. 81 may not be around fol
some time. You see, I'm a poor man
and have nothing to offer girl like
you. Why, the dinner you gave me to.
night would have cost me nearly my
downtown instead of your entertaining
me. I don't feel right about accepting
what I cannot return" -
He looked deeply into her wide, brown
eyes and turned away abruptly.
Lorene watched the tall figure swing
down the street with eyes that were
wet with sudden tears.
a
asked her mother, Sleepily.
Lorene shook her hair about her face
as she removed the pretty shell hair
pins She did not wish any one to see
her bitter disappointment. Nothing
extra" she nurmured; "I think made
a mistake not telling him, but it's too
late now. He"-she swallowed hard and
then concluded bitterly-"he's not COM
ing again very soon. He thinks he has
nothing to offer a girl like me-" and
she vanished into her own room.
John Dalton was looking determined
as he entered the telephone booth of
a downtown firm. He had not been in
this Office for some months, as his en-
ployer usually attended to the business
transacted with them, but he had been
intrusted with the blue-pints for the
contemplated building. The head was
out, and while John waited he obeyed
the longing that had clutched him all
day. He must speak to Lorene and ask
her to let him see her He could not
break off, as he had tried to do. Twice,
between appointments, he had called
UP the apartment, but both times there
had been no response, and he wondered
jealousy where she had gone. He stalk
ed out, frowning; again central had
1anguidly informed him that his party