Evening star., 1932-04-24

The head-waiter shook his head regretfully.
He made small clicking noises beneath his
mustache
so sorry" he said, spreading his hands.
Mis- Burton, she has JUS left. But perhaps
the party is still here She was only wtth-a
young man"
oh" said Julie, feeling as though the smile
was Of sharp wire and was cutting her face.
oh thanks so much-jus two-Pve missed
them. then"
Back in the lobby of the apartment a thought
occurred to her. rather feeble hope futtered
a moment in her breast 1t was just possible
that Bill had come in-that there had been
some perfectly innocent explanation of his
lateness, she couldn't judge until she was
certain-very certain.
Her voice when she addressed the elevator
operator was husky with the lump in her
throat. "Dd-Mr. Allen come in yet, Sam?"
Nom" Sam informed her, showing his teeth
in wide grin. "No'm-I han't seen Mr.. Allen
since this morning mann"
II sec" said Julie very quietly. Thanks"
Once more Julie let herself in to the little
apartment, once more she sank down on the
davenport But this time her head went down
on her arms and sobs shook her shoulders.
If only-but what was the use thinking about
things now? 1t was too late-nothing could
ever be the same any more. If she had given
up her job, moved out to the suburbs as Bill
had wanted, this would never have happened.
Life would have gone on in the old, sweet way.
She thought of their jolly little dinners in the
kitchenette and their trips home on crowded
busses. She thought Of Bills arms around her,
and his kisses warm on her lips. Now-it was
over.
The door behind her burst open, and Julie
raised her tear stained face in surprise. Bill
looked wild, somehow she thought. His eyes
were like steel, and his mouth was set in a
bitter line. When he saw her, he laughed,
terrible laugh that made Julie shiver.
voice at all Il should think you would cry.
Here get home and find your clothes all over
the house, and your brown dress and hat gone.
1t didn't take much figuring to dope out where
you'd gone in all your fnery-"
Julie eyes were glowing with anger, too:
her voice was harsh, choked with tears.
"Me?" she asked incredulously. Where I'd
gone? What do you mean?"
II mean you had the nerve to come here
and dress up to go out with Reynolds, that's
what I mean-don't try to act so innocent,
either"
"Oh!" gasped Julie ooh, how can you talk
like that to me! When you were out with
Clare Burton, and hadn't even been home at
all. I know all about it. You we're at the
Club Petrie-left Just before I got there"
You got there?" asked Bill in startled voice.
Were you at-the Club Petrie?"
"Yes-and you and Clare"
IT don't know what Clare's got to do with
it," said Bill. There was a curious look IN his
eyes. "And-what do you mean-Julie-say-
ing I wasn't here? I came home at 730-"
Il asked Sam" said Julie, "and he said"
"Sam?" Bill laughed shortly.
Say, his elevator up somewhere and
was so excited I ran all the way up here to
to tell you-" he broke off abruptly
Bill" said Julie her eyes very solemn,
"let's get this straight I came home from
the Office at 7:15-I had to work little late
and you weren't here You never work over
fiY1a II ad nd fba cuyitoh orT
girl said she'd just gone out-with a gentle
man. lit was you, wasn't is? Tell me the
truth, Bill"
Hell, no." said Bill, great light breaking
over his stern, young face You say you came
home-but why did you dress up and 60
Il went up to the club to see if you weren't
there. Bill-I-I felt terrible. I thought"
~ JULIE" said Bill, his voice suddenly shaken.
~ Rather humbly he came over and sat
down beside her. Julie, you've got to believe
me-I didn't see Clare! I was late getting
home-came in a little after 7:3O I rushed
up here-and saw your Office clothes and 7
thought-you know I thought you'd gone cut
with-ReynoldS-"
"Bin,' breathed Julie brokenly smuggling
against his shoulder, "how could you-"
Bill put his arms around her slowly, a little
awkwardly. He kissed her. Julie chung TO
him. Bill was just the same. Big and clear
eyed and sweet He didn't love any one else
everything wasn't spoiled.
Julie, darling" Bills voice against her hair
was low, infinitely tender. How could either
OF us-th1nk things like that about each otheri
lists awful. When we're in love and
haven't any more faith than that When I
thought you'd gone with-him, I went out
and was almost crazy. I walked around the
streets like nut, honestly. couldn't reason
or think or anything-so came back and
here you were. Julie, I'm so ashamed"
I'm ashamed too" said Julie in a small
voice. "Maybe-do you suppose the-the way
We live could make us-like that? Do YOU
think that if we"
Say" gasped Bill, suddenly interrupting,
that reminds me-d'you know what was