Evening star., 1932-04-24

and foolish little blue silk rosebud Bill
poked at it with his foot. And still there was
that utter quiet behind him.
He turned and looked at Julie.
She sitting just as he had left her with
her hands clasped tightly together. Her laShes
all starry with tears and her lower lip
trembled. Her hair made bright curly frame
around her small tragic face. She was utterly
sweet, utterly forlorn
Julie" Bills voice was husky He dropped
the cigarette unheeded and went over and
took her in his arms. Julie, I didn't mean it.
Forget I ever said it."
"Bill-how could We say those things-to
each other?" Her cheek against his was wet.
Julie, don't please. I'm sorry. It's just
just great to have you and our-home here,
and if you want to work, why, whatever you
say, goes. Was crazy to say the things did.
didn't mean any of it. Don't cry sweet"
He held her for a moment, his face buried
in her hair. Then he pushed her away with
little grin.
Listen lady This famly's been serious
enough for one night You'd think raise was
an occasion for wailing and lamentation. I've
got an idea Go put on that swanky new green
dress you got last week and we'll step out.
Celebrate the glad day and ALL Leave the
cold meat in the icebox and have caviar and
whatnot and lights music gayety. Okey?"
Bill you're an old dear. It'll only take me
minute to get ready
HCVERYTHING'S correct, Miss Moore"
l. Mr.. Reynolds voice was pleasantly crisp.
He smiled at Julie as he handed her the signed
letters. Sorry to keep you late so frequently,
but we've been busy lately
"Oh, that's all right, Mr.. Reynolds I don't
mind at ALL Julie told him smiliingly But by
the time she reached the desk in her own tiny
Office the smile had faded. She did mind
tonight She had particularly wanted to leave
the Office in time to meet Bill at their usual
rendezvous and ride home with him. But
she paused in the act of covering her type
writer to glance at her wrist -watch-it was
almost 7. That meant she wouldn't reach the
apartment before a quarter after and Bil-of
course, he wouldn't say anything, but-Julie
felt that if there even a hint of dstrust
in his gray eyes, she simply couldn't bear It,
Hastily she stamped and sealed the letters, then
donned her black coat and red hat with the
cocky little feather and went out through the
big, empty outer Office. Dropping the letters
into the mail chute in the corridor she rang
impatiently for an elevator.
Fifteen minutes later she got off the bus at
her familiar corner. bakery window
attracted her. She loved the smell of bakery
and anyway she remembered that the bread
supply was practically exhausted. She bought
a loaf, warmly fresh from the ovens and some
enticing cinnamon rolls.
1t was fun to be going home to Bill and the
prospect of eating in the small gray kitchen.
No, Julie decided as she walked along not the
kitchen tonight. The Spring night was cool.
They'd make big fire and put the gateleg
table before 1t and spread 1t with that cum
ming rose linen cloth. Tonight Julie felt
domestic. Shed make an omelet.
Her feet turned in automatically at the
apartment entrance. When she reached her
Ua kad IuIo
it to make sure and called Bill" twice, but no
one answered Transferring her bundles to
one arm she dug around in her purse till she
located her key Odd that Bill shouldn't be
home by this time. Julie put her things down,
slipped off her, coat and sat down. She was
conscious suddenly that she was tired. A little
feeling of annoyance stirred her. 1t was
exasperating Of Bill, really it was Here she
had hurried home, lured by the pleasant
prospect Of dinner before the fire, and Bill
wasn't even around. Probably up at the
Burtons, she thought.
Lazily she reached for the phone, gave
Clare's number. The phone rang insistently
for a minute, then the voice of the switch
board operator cut in.
IT'S Mrs. Allen, isn't it?"
YES" said Julie. isn't Mrs. Burton IMP"
II saw her go out about half an hour ago,
Mrs. Allen. All dressed up. Mustve been a
heavy date"
oh" said Julie in an odd tone. Thanks"
Then, spurred on by unfathomable impulse,
WAS she alone?'
"Yes-s," answered the friendly operator; that
is, she met some man just outside-I saw them
get into cab"
"Thanks-again," said Julie, and hung up
slowly
So Bill had met Clare outside to avoid gossip.
She had known that ugly things, unpleasant
things, marred the happiness of some married
couples. But-but not hers and Bills. 1t was
too awful For a minute Julie thought she was
going to cry and then she knew she wouldn't.
With hand that trembled little she reached
for a cigarette lit it, and promptly let 1t
go out. If things like this happened to you,
she supposed the proper course was to be-be
nonchalant. But she couldn't Suddenly she
was fllrinnsly faminolv angry That Bill with