Evening star., 1932-12-18


n YOT 10 feet beyond the closed
door of NJ Piron's office the
" clock over the main entrance tC
4 the shop was striking IL. Ra-
mon Cabereo. behind the coun-
ter where the INIT 3tion pearls were
Sold was again in sole possession of his
department, and he glanced toward the
door with anxiety Then. as the last
stroke of the hour died diScreetly on
the quiet of the shop, the door from the
street opened to admit a young woman
To critical observer she appeared to
be tri1e overdressed, and it was ap-
parent that she had not visited the
shop before, since she hesitated a mo-
ment, undecided as to which way to
turn until M. Geome approached her
with the second-beSt manner he re-
served for patrons whose appearance
indicated that their purchases would be
small and probably haggled over. Once
M. Geome had made bad mistake in
this direction and had been cold to a
fabulouSly rich silk manufacturer from
Lyons. who had nearly left the shop in
disgust before revealing that he had
come to purchase the largest possible
diamond necklace for his fat and shab-
blly-dressed wife. But in this present
instance NJ. Geome's manner was bet
ter judged for upon inquiry as to
whether mademoiselle desired some
thing it developed that the rather pale
sloe-eyed young female desired imita
tion pearls. PurSing his lips in sltis-
faction over his own sound intuition
M. Geome escorted her to the right
counter, handed her over to Ramon
Cabereo with a lofty gesture and then
stalked away his mind busy with the
intricate decision as to whether he
should have soupe a loignon or hers
doeuvreS as an opener for his two
hour luncheon. He was out of earshot
before the newly arrived customer
spoke.
L want to see a reasonable imita-
tion pearl necklace, please m'sieur!'
she said aloud Something for about a
thousand francs? ~ Ramon's face
was such a mask of despair that her
voice trailed off in the midst of her
well rehearsed comedy.
What's wropg?' she asked in SUBJ
dued voice
It's gone. that's all" said Ramon
quickly showing tray of pearl beads
under her nose and fumbling badly as
he pretended to show them to her
Gone! I tell YOU, something slipped
You are too latel" The girl drew back
her face bIanching under her mask OF
powder.
But he'll kill mel" she choked 81
was only five minutes late. The traffic
held me up. He'll kill us BOTH"
L know said Ramon, grimly.
x =: :. :;
With the rush of Spring, Armenon-
vile had once again become the mecca
OF those pleasure-seekers who, though
stirred by the desire for a glimpse of
the countryside in it's new dress of
green. are yet too indolent to make a
pilgrimage far beyond the gates OF
Paris And at o'clock pm. on the
day when Alacia Sayers found such an
extremely good bargain in pearl neck
laces the famous restaurant was filled
with the fashionable throng which had
come to take tea by the miniature
lakeside, and remained to dance in the
glass pavilion. The soft whine of ac-
cordions and guitars. langrous il the
hands of cOstumed band from the
Argentine, W2s playing melting
haunting tango. Thc peculiar charm
which the ugly old building exercises
on its varied patrons was working tc
advantage and Kate Sayers. moving
slowly and correctly to the strains Of
the exotic music, leaned closer to the
slim young man who was her partner.
Santini danced beautifully. A strair
of Italian blood lent him a grace Of
movement alien to the correct. self-con-
scioUs dancing of the French gigolos
and these two were by no means the
only oddly assorted couple on the floor
At home, Kate Sayer5 reflected COM
fortably, she would have felt a fool Il
be seen dancing with a boy. but here
many women. obviously older and les:
attractive than herself. were dancing
through the afternoon, instead O.
watching from a corner, shelved All
that was Paris for you! Dear, gay, un-
critical Paris. where nobody grew ole
until they wished! Covertly she watched
Santinis dark, handsome face, wonder
ing what he thought Of? He was fire.
quently detached and moody. condi
ton Of which she was unreason' bly,
jealous. Now she made q t:mid efTort
to call him back to her. to entice hin
into being something other than an e..
quisitely balanced machine which guild
ed her eXpc-tly through the pack O.
humanity On the fcor.
There is that ridiculous old WOmGr
with the bond wig again. She Whis
pered, nudGing him. dancing with TIT
young Spaniard," H looked at her a!
though coming back from a long dis
tance. When his eyes had that ex
preston in them Mrs. Sayers credited
Santni with a profundity of though
which would have amazed and flatteree
him.
''Ah, yes" he replied, with Sigh
effort to share her amusement. "Wha
a fright she is! These women have no
the chic. like you American young
ladies!"
Kate Sayers smiled up at him hap
PLY. She seldom allowed herself t,
think about what she paid in cold casf
for this sort of compliment ard triec
to believe that his illusion as to he
youthfulness vas genuine. Yet tina
very instant she decided 70 Give IN t
him and dine at Ciro's instead of a
homo, aS sho rror2. ID HIS reward!
mediate. Yes, t!:cy would dine at Ciros
She would go home presently enc
struggle through the effort of dressin'
and facing another evening of feverisl
activity. She would tell him now ant
he would become more amiable.
"Alfredo" she ssid. Il have beer
thinking it over. II you wish w
will :" she broke off because there
was face peering at her over hi
shoulder, mans face and unfamlar
The man was not dancing, but hat
walked up between the dancers. Nov
he tapped Santini on the shoulder.
"Ramon!" exclaimed Santini. ''Wha
is it?" The clerk from the Maisol
Piron appeared to be in state OF sup
pressed agitation.
May I interrupt minute?" h
asked. Then he bowed to Mrs. Sayers
If madame will permit he adde;
politely. An old friend of M. Santin
is Just leaving and ASKS to spcak t
him"
Saattni We ,-cliy ,o2t..-:-;3 hc-. b-e,
to her tab,c. TIE moscen2er lad Il pDe
away amorg 10 c.oUu cad Nis. S9j eI
sank into n chai-. Glad enough to s.
down, but watching S2nt!ni WITH
jealous eye.
"Whn is it wants yOu?" she cSkee