Evening star., 1932-12-07
xCoa1w.Iy
CHAPTER As.
SANTA TAKES A RIDE.

n YEXT morning, when Give had
N departed for business, Santa lay
in sn.st bed . pondsripg sbs aEew Hed nox 5ssn 9s'
the velvet scabbard concealed a
sword of cutting keenness. She would
never again dare to take chances with
him. It had been scenes like the quar-
| rel OF last night that had broken up
! her first marriage.
| Lazily she began to dress, flirting with
her reflection. OF her physical self she
| approved notwithstanding eyes,
snowy limbs, darting slightness. If 1t
were not for her gimcrack mind, she
| could pass for a saint or the Venus de
Milo. Speech betrayed her. Clothes
! misrepresented her.
The vision of her beauty restored her
confidence till she fell to analyZing its
elements. One-third of her appearance
| was the money she spent on it; the
| second third was youth and health;
only the remaining third was due to
| features.
She might lose her money. So natural
an incident as the birth of child could
snatch her youth and health from her.
II she relied on her physical exquisite
ness to retain her hold on Give, she
would become like her mother, a dyed
headed clothes prop, hanging on to a
husband whom she had educated to de-
spise her.
I'll never do that to Give" Then
proud thought struck her. Couldn't.
He wouldn't let me. Gives not Daddy"
He certainly wasn't. To heave Dicky
of his chest, he'd had the nerve to
conspire with Lou-Lou
'I'l have to watch my p's and q's."
Purged by her fright, sanctifled and
demure, she sailed forth. The elevator
boy smirked at her.
THAT gentleman your husband tossed
out has been here inquiring for you"
What gentleman?" she bridled.
1.-THE plump one who carries cane
and wears spats. Your husband gave
orders that he wasn't to be admitted" !"
"Oh, that gentleman who used to
visit my husband" She feigned indif-
ference.
a! was only putting you WISE" the boy
apologized.
She f1ounced out and left him gaping
How many observers had regarded Dicky
| as her lover? As she hovered on the
steps above the avenue, she shivered
in the chill February air
A taxi stationed against the pave
ment caught her eye. She dived for it,
when hand seized her wrist anc
jerked her inside.
Don't make fuss" voice warned
her.
She struggled to retreat, but the taxi
started.
You beast! When Give hears about
He won't. You'll never dare tell
him"
ITS the trick of gangster," her
breath came sobbingly.
An act Of Providence. I was lying
In ambush. hoping that might catch
sight Of you. Your walking bang in on
me was pure luck" He still kept tight
hold Of her wrist. "Sit back and relax
If you don't behave naturally, the driver
will become suspicious"
She thought quickly. Virtue de-
manded that she should scream and
produce a scandal. Dicky would be
arrested. Headlines in the papers. Po-
lice Court proceedings. The prisoners
| defense would be that she had Led him
on. The elevator boy, who believed that
he was her lover, would be called as
witness. Lou-Lou would probably testify
against her.
Public sympathy would swing to
Dicky. Whatever his punishment, her
reputation would be blackened. All
u
have made boob of him and advertised
It,. The best way to master Dicky was
to show no fear of him.
What's the idea of this comic inter-
| view?" She spoke contemptuously.
That refuse to give you up."
Are you sane? How can you give up
any one who doesn't belong to you?"
You're a rotten little faker."
The taxi swung into the park. She
huddled in her corner.
Il wish Give had hurt you more last
night-smashed you SO that you'd had to
be carried home on stretcher."
She stumbled on an Interpretation
| for his unusual conduct.
D1cky, you've been drinking"
Il shouldn't wonder"
As though the clock had been put
i back 18 months, he slipped his arm
about her.
"Oh, please not that. Dickyl"
Who has better right?"
Inwardly raging, she smiled gro
You're awfully silly. People go to jail
for kidnapping"
He pressed closer.
| BE yourself, Santa. Why put on
airs? We've both hungered for this for
ages"
Scared to death, she camoufaged her
trembling with boldness.
He attempted to kiss her. She twisted
| I'm Gives wife"
Leaning forward, he muttered in
Structions to the driver. The taxi left
! the park and shot uptown.
Where are you taking me?"
! He didn't answer.
"Clive will be furious. Do stop"
Then in final appeal: You always
used to be gentleman"
Having collected his thoughts, he
spoke.
you've never fooled me for a second