Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-20

UEen HOrtenSe had flung her arms
about him and kissed him.
NO Her-our manager stopped over on
his way to Chicago-she had to see him-on
business-she-she1l be here presently"
He drew back step. and in doing so kicked
a very new travelling bag. AS he did so, his
eyes, gray, 1ong-lashed, clean, met hers
slow scarlet crept upward under his bronzed
skin His glance wavered. He coughed with
very evident and very shy embarrassment.
Margaret had an irresistible desire to gigge.
Such a boy So ashamed! Darn Dana,
anyway!
Won't you sit down?" he funbled, seeing
she had no intention of leaving Immediately.
take the chair please I1l-I1l sit on the bed"
Margaret thanked him. What could she say
to him? She looked nervously at the magazine
in his hand and forced casualness in her
manner as she asked If he was fond of reading.
1t was a trivial question, but Margaret felt
that she must avoid speaking of Hortense. She
was not a good liar-if he asked questions she
knew she would nave to answer truthfully. She
had not promised to keep silent-only to keep
him entertained until Hortense arrived.
lie leaned forward rather eagerly. TT saw
you in the play last week thought you
were bully"
"Yes?" Her lips parted in a pleasing smile
that made her very lovely. 81 have a very
small part, you know"
eyes. But liked you. I liked you lot.
I asked Hor-Miss Dana to tell you. Didn't
she?"
mo. Perhaps she forgot, or it isn't pro-
fessional for star to pass on compliments to
a beginner"
"Are you beginner"
MY first season"
mo. reallyP Then I'm sure you'll be a star
hofO UOJy b IND syrin
fellow. Know what mean?"
Magnetism" she helped him.
EYES, and more. Something made me-"
he paused abruptly with shy laugh. miss
Dana is great, isn't she?"
Eyes. She's an awfully good actress"
"TIave you had any supper yet? Maynt
order something up for you? I'd take you out
only" He glanced at his watch.
yes She'll be here soon"
"Runmy sort of place, isn't it? Why do you
stop in such hotels when there are better ones?"
"Can't afford the better"
Pardon But Miss Dana can, can't she2
I thought actresses received good salaries!'~
Margarets quick ear caught the SOUND OF
footsteps passing, mans and woman's. She
tensed and looked at the boy. "Yes, some re-
ceive good salaries" she said in half whisper.
She heard a key turn They were IN her
room She could hear the floor creak under
their feet. In spite of herself shiver shook
her.
whats the matter?" the boy asked solicit
tously, "chilly?"
mo. Nothings the matter"
rumble of voices came from the room ad-
Joining masculine grumble, and faint, very
faint tinkle of laughter. Margarets hands
gripped tightly together in her lap.
your room, is it near this one?" the boy
asked quietly.
She looked at him, startled for the momerro
at the question. But there nothing subtle
in his expression. Eyes, on the same floor"
she answered.
Perhaps you are tired I'm keeping you.
Don't mind me, please, can wait alone for
Miss DANA
"Of course not. Only you pale. and
thought maybe Do you know you've
awfully pretty hair?"
You think SO? Lots of people don't like
red hair"
If HortenSe didn't suppress her laughter he'd
recognize it. 1t had brassy ring, individual,
shallow like the woman herself. Didn't she
realize how thin the walls were, how pene-
trating her voice?
Margaret raised her own voice. speaking IN Q
much louder tone than before, hoping to drown
the sounds in the room adjoining. She was
conscious of the boys surprised look as abruptly
she began an anecdote about the stage that was
not apropos of red hair or anything that they
had been discussing She had a feeling that
she was improvising lines.
Pausing a moment for breath she heard Ben
Wilcox say distinctly, Sounds like the little
Arnesley girl: are YOU sure she isn't stopping
here?"
Margaret half started to her feet, then drop.
NOSsfJ al ~ Geaf