Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28

full shoulders, and his hat tilted at a faint
but Enthusiastically tipsy angle.
Rhosa Waldron felt herself blushing hotly.
like schoolgirl caught out of bounds I'M
pulsively she reached to loosen the sitting fur
collar across her throat clicked her jeweled
heels together-turned with such caSualneSs as
she could summon to make some triaing COM
nlent to the woman at her side. But the
woman only shook her head, giggled little,
gathered up her bullying packages, and shuffled
on into the crowd.
The man in evening clothes wlrled suddenly
In his tracks and slipped into the vacant seat
beside her. Family startled but by no means
actually disturbed, RhoSa Waldron rose with
an exaggerated leisureliness looked around for
an instant as though seeking some companions
face, followed the woman into the medley,
and-hnding another vacant seat on another
crowded bench-sat down to watch a street
faker juggle bottles of patent medicine.
But even as she watched, shadow darkened
across the arc-light, and the Tipsy Stranger
stood before her again, remote, impersonal, yet
vaguely sinister. Once again. without seeming
TO notice him, RhoSa Waldron rose leisurely
to her feet and slipped away.
Stopping for instant to watch some
sparrows twittering in a leafiess hedge she
turned back sharply to find the Tipsy
Stranger blocking her path, with a certain
almost playful sort of impudence.
oh my most b-b-beautiful one!" he babbled.
Most gor gorgeous girl! I'm very lonelyi"
ITS lonesome world" conceded Rhosa
Waldron. please let me paSs!"
But the man merely stood his ground and
laughed. Rhosa WaIdron tossed her head.
The gesture showered CLINT of gold-dust into
the mans cupped hands. She stamped her
foot 1t twinkled shower Of sparks across
the icy pavement.
Knew it!' babbled the man Goodies
absolute goddess"
family hysterical sense of panic swept
over her suddenly-the fear of q scene the
Inherent dread Of publicity. Directly opposite
her-just mere step to take, sidewalk to
span, street to cross-loomed a black spire
and the open door of a church glowing warmly
with light and the tremolo vibrance of organ
music
"Watch-night services? Why, of coursel"
She gave little gasp of relief; noted shrewdly
that the stranger had not followed her glance:
and pushing him bluntly aside, bolted i'm
petuously for the door of the church
Startled by her somewhat precipitous en-
trance, half-dozing usher woke from his
lethargy just long enough to guide her to a
pew. There seemed to be no one else in it
except a demure-looking little creature in
gray, kneeling deyoutly.
With gasp of relief RhoSa Waidron sank
down. loosened her collar once again, and
twinkled her jeweled heels, Just as q stumbling
step in the aisle fumbling click at the latch
Of the pew door, proclaimed the dismaying
fact that the Tipsy Stranger had followed her
even here!
FACING him bluntly for a single exasperated
instant. she noticed with relief that the
brisk race through the wintry night had at
least cleared some Of the befuddlement from
his eyes. He sank down Into the end seat
e the pew and bent to examine with frowning
at<1atiAy the giints Of gOld-dust stin clinging
- BIZ bands.