Evening star., 1932-11-07
by Council,
CHAPTER Is.

- PRING again. The white dusk OF
an April evening. Trees below
in Gramercy Park TaXiS halted
~ before the Players Club. Give
sprawled in a chair in the bache-
lor's apartment he had occupied since
his return from Europe. His flrm had
wished to send him back to Vienna.
He'd refused for the secret reason that
Santa'S divorce was pending.
For the thousandth time he was re-
viewing his relations with her. The
LOYALTY he was displaying was asinine
Each time he had given her fresh
chance she'd failed him. He supposed
she would continue to fail him to the
end of the chapter When she was free
and he sought to claim her, she would
probably declare that she was sick OF
marriage His next news would be that
she was honeymooning with another
fellow.
He came to grips with himself: Santa
was his vice. In other directions he
could discipline his cravings: where she
was concerned there was no bridling
them. That this should be so reused
his indignation. The goal he'd set him.
self was to become a leader. That he
could succeed he'd proved during the
year abroad. He never ought to have
reSought Santa. He was again her
slave, spellbound, interminably await
ing her pleasure.
Already he had been penalized for
his infatuation. His impolitic reluctance
to represent his firm in Europe had
lowered his standing with Mr.. CleaSby
And here was revealed the obstinate
idiocy of his conduct: since that night
when Santa kissed him so impetuouSly
he had not seen her. He had been per-
mitted to render her no service Had
been forbidden ever to write to her.
Keep out of the picture" her father
had advised, adding that if he intruded
he might complicate matters by getting
himself quoted as the alienator of her
affections So for six months he'd
was happening and poWerless to help
her
The telephone tinkled
There's Mr.. Oak down here in
Quiring for you"
Give thought furiously. An inter-
view would probably end in a fight
Still he might learn something.
Send him up"
A tap. Give opened. The two men
stared in the waning light. In Oaks
regard there was no enmity.
Come in" Give invited. This is a
bit unexpected
Removing his coat, he tossed 1t aside
He was in evening dress.
Sit down. How about a cigarette?"
Dicky accepted.
Il discovered your address from the
Princeton Club. Of course you're Won
dering why"
Frankly I am"
Then let me explain I'm at my
wits end. I've seen Santa's father.
He'll have nothing to do with me-"
Is that surpriSing?"
Il should say not But that leaves
you as the last court of appeal"
Cant see what have to do with it."
You can persuade her"
ITO What?"
ITO drop the divorce"
IClive made his tone indifferent.
Why on earth should l interfere?
Save for an accidental meeting at her
parents house 1 haven't seen her since
your marriage. have no Influence
You have" Dicky leaned forward
Being bachelor, you don't know wives.
They treasure an ideal You're hers.
All the noble qualities she denies to
me she attributes to you. Without the
least intention you've made unfair COM
petition for me"
This sounds nonsense"
L agree" Dickay laughed. But it
Isn't. You're the Wh!te-haired b0v. If
you were 70 tell Santa that she ought
to take me back, she would pay atten-
ton"
Give blew a ring Of smoke.
Supp0slng l don't think she ought