The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-11


 not want to sec him again. She meets Chummy, who tells her Steyne is about to go abroad to study.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER xxxII
 T don't think Alan would ever be idle, Judy" Chummy said. Hes always worked, ever since I knew him. I believe he's thinking of in- vesting some money in an oil con- cern out there"
 'Will he stay out there for sood?". Judy asked.
 "He may"
 we shall ali be scattered" Judy m1rmured, and she could not keep the bitter regret out of her voice. "oh. Chummy. and once we were so happyW
 s'We shall be happy again." her friend replied. Judy, you ought to be happy, with your wonderful life before you."
 T am. in a way" Judy answered, "but l want you to be happy, Chummy. I want you and Alan"
 Please, Judy!" interrupted the other girl sharply. T would much rather you didn't talk about that"
 And Judy, looking into the gold en-brown eyes staring with kind of dull anger, knew that she was in danger of losing her friend. Hard though she tried, Chummy could not feel the same toward her now that she knew. She thought, per- haps, that Judy was playing a part. She might even imagine that Judy hArped on this point in order to torture them both.
 So Judy had to be quiet, con- victgd almost of impertinence by tfffs friend whom she loved so dearly. She had an added feeling of foolishness because in her con- 4us6on Of mind, she had tried to run Alau down by pretending that he was a 1oafer. and did no honest work. She had not the brain to cope with such q situation.
 That was one reason for avoiding Chummy. Judy felt sure that she would put her foot in it," as she expressed 1t.
 But before they parted that day her feelings overcame her. and she looked at her friend wistfully.
 "Chummy, Bastien has asked me to come to the dance at the Lemon Grove on Friday. VIII you be there?"
 T hadn't thought of going" the efder. girl said.
 "Oh, but you, love dancingi And ! shall be gone soon and all the boys will be there. It would seem like old times. Do come, won't you, Chummy dear?"
 Her pleading face was irresist- tble. Chummy's beautiful low voice broke, as she answered.:
 "of course I'll come. Judy dear" On the day before the dance Bas- ten called at Judy's lodgings to ask her to dine with him. He was aflame with the thought she was going to be there as his guest. No longer did she seem so far away from him. He had made her the companion of his dreams ever since their last meeting.
 He would not dwell on the changes in her. He told himself that he had imagined them. She was still Judy and she had always told him that he was her best friend, the one person in all the world on whom she could rely.
 It was about five o'clock in the afternoon when he called. A young girl, the landlady's daughter, opened the door. and told him that Miss Grant was out. He left a note that he had written in view of this eventuality.
 He had occasion to go round the corner to 0 tobacconist's shop and then to a tailor's where he was having some clothes repaired. It was about eight minutes later, or whereabouts, when he passed Judy's house again on his way back home. Just then the door opened and Gideon's bulky form came out. He was smiling to himself in a way that made Bastien see red.
 Judy had been at home, then, all the time!
 He followed the financier. and saw him enter his big car. which was waiting in 0 side street parallel with Judy's lodgings.
 The next morning Bastien re- ceived a nice little, note in Judy's sprawling hand. She could not dine with him, she said, as she had had another engagement, which she could not put off, but she would be waiting for him at her lodgings at o'clock.
 That day he happened to meet an old acquaintance-Guy Towers. a theatrical critic, who had lately made rather a hit with a first play. a clever social satire. On the strength of 1t Towers had little spare cash. Dumont. too, was not so impecunious as of old: so the two of them decided to lunch at Romano's.
 At a table in the far corner sat Bruce Gideon with four other men, one of whom was Richard Wyon. Dumont sent many scowls in their direction, but did not say anything. It was his companion who mem tioned the financier's name.
 
 "There's Bruce Gideon do you know him? Enormously rich chap. He's just brought out this wonderful new dancer, Judy Grant. Marvellous little person. I must say
 ';Why lucky?' asked Dumont. controlling his voice as best he could.
 Judy Grant was lucky" con- tinued Towers, "because she's got Gideon to take her up. That's his man of business. Dicky Wyon-the funny little fellow with a face like an old woman"
 ''Do you mean the man who owns the Monopole?" asked Dumont carelessly.
 Well, he's supposed to own It, but it's & well-known fact that Gideon has more to do with it. He uses 1t as a jumping off place for his pet girls. Of course, all of lem aren't 50 clever as little Miss Grant"
 "what do you nean?" asked Du- mont in Q very quiet voice. "Wyon brought Miss Grant out. It was purely 6 business proposition"
 Towers winked at him.
 "Teli that to the marines. my heyi That's the story for the pa- gags. Dicky Wyon is simply there # run anybody Gideon chooses.