Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-26

Scarlattis was popular, yet the
prices were not exorbitant. 1t had an atmos-
phere all its own 1t had, too, fountain and
hanging pots of ferns, and a marble floor, ana
against the walls some plaster statues
There was also occasional bit of carving on
the ceiling.
Rather picturesque, isn't it?' Cynthia OBJ
served to hec escort, a good looking man OF A.
ct have an order for several short stories, love
stories, you know. l ought to get inspiration
from watching some of the people here tonight"
with my help" John Glenn supplemented
Eyes" she agreed, with your help. II possible
But I wonder if you have the sesing eye
IT see only you when 1 am with you,' he
averred gallantly.
"You are a delightful hbber,' she retoited
"And because successful fibbers must have good
imaginations, perhaps you will help me study
some of our neighbors Now, for instance, LOOK
ut those people next to us. Let us call their
table Table No. /. Can you detect anything
romantic in that pair?"
Can you?" Glenn parted.
Cynthia nodded. Glenn gazed at table No.
! to see what he could see.
Seated at it were a man and a woman The
woman might have baen pretty once. Now she
was faded and there were deep lines at the
corners of her mouth. The man was thin and
dark, with a nervous manner. Both lacked
animation.
Husband and wife, OF course, Glenn oplned
"And they are bored!"
Lots of married couples are not bored by
each other" Cynthia reproved.
yes" Glenn admitted, but not as many as
there used to be. suppose that is because there
are so few love-matches nowadays People used
to believe in love- Now most of them don't.
His companion glanced away She appreciated
with a sudden constr lotion of the heart how
much she believed in love. She could not bear
it if Glenn laughed at it! Was it absurd that
She at 80, was in love for the first time in her
life?
nERHAPS that was why she now suspected,
T romance where she had been blind to it
before. When certain editor had asked her
If she could do some short romances for him
she had agreed readily. He had said that he
was tired of sophisticated stuff.
1.-THE stories need not be of silly calf-love," he
had added. But I am sure there Is still ro-
nance in the world. Don't you know there is?"
Eyes" she had replied briefly Il know there
is I will write the stories.
She had repeated this conversation to John
Glenn and he had smiled specifically.
"It is something new for you to turn senti-
mentalist," he had leased. But II you are out
for subjects for love Stories let me help you
look for them!'
She had accepted his suggestion. and had
mentioned Scarlatti's as restaurant at which
one could see many different types. She must
not let Johns admission that people did not
for material. She supposed she ought to be
glad to be his very good friend. Yet
Her companions voice broke in upon her
musings.
"A penny for your thoughts!" he challenged.
They are not worth it," she laughed, flush
ing holly. IT incoming on the subject OF
friendship, and editors and the stories l must
write. You said you would help me. But
YOU did not give me any constructive ideas
about the pair at Table No. l.
What about that second table now? I sup
pose all you see there is an elderly woman and
a young man. Mother and son probably. To
me there is something pathetic about them.
am sure that, could look into their hearts,
would find romance there"
"Filial and maternal love-" Glenn said. "An
very sweet of course, In humdrum way, yet
nothing romantic or tragic about it. But look
at Table No. 3. There is youth for you"
Cynthia looked. YOUTH certainly. A hand
some man. girl too much made up, yet
pretty. The man was leaning across the table
talking earnestly. The girl was listening with
an Indifferent expression, crumbling her dinner
roll into tiny bits. Occasionally she answered
with feeting smile.
"She is bored to extinction, too" Glenn COM
mented. mo good fiction stuff at Table No. 3.
Nor at Table No. f. While I cannot see the
woman's face, from the expression of the man
with her she must be giving him the devil.
He looks as if he were going to cry, swear,
or break a blood vessel. Whatever is going
there-it is not romance"
Cynthia Westlake shook her head. "Ah,
WE'LL" she sighed. Il may we'll resign my
self to the fact that you not in a mood
tonight to help me in my quest"
But" Glenn ventured you must confess
that you are having a good dinner"
YES" she admitted. 1.-The dinner is good.
And" with little laugh, 80 is the company.