Evening star., 1932-10-12


till you think you're going to get your
feet wet" she observed. And here S
bridge
Silent, they crossed the Wabash
Bridge, walked north, past the grim.
came at last to the house, and on the
porch sat Dick and Billy Denton, the
gold -toothed radio operator.
Dick jumped up. came running down
the steps. Judy l thought you'd
never get home. What happened to-
day? Was the client all right? Did
he have some kick to make?'
Eyes averted Judy handed him the
contract. There was moment OF 81
lence. Then she heard Dick Mason
whoop with joy, heard him chanting
'Judys a success! She's got a contract!
A hundred dollars a week! Gee!"
Yes" Judy said quietly, you were
right, Dick And it's all due to you,
Dick. You did everything for me-
He laughed. Didn't do thing. You
did it yourself. Elsie, meet Billy. Best
radio operator in town. Billy, meet
Elsie. Nicest girl here. Except Judy.
Billy, Elsie, go away. I've got to talk
to Judy. Go eat dinner or anything.
Go on"
Billy grinned, with all his gold teeth.
And Elsie grinned. Judy felt pang OF
pity for Elsie, so unbeautiful, so aware
of her lack of charm. Then she saw
Billy take Elsie's arm. leading her to-
ward the porch Elsie looked happy.
OF course. Billy wasn't handsome, and
he wasn't tall, and his clothes hung
wildly about him. But he was Elsie
cavalier.
So Judy turned to face Dick. And to
feel, as he laughed, as ne went on ex-
citedly, proud of her success, that she
must tell him the truth. And very
soon, before it was too late;
But the days passed. Elsie went 70
a movie with Billy one night and ap-
peared at midnight f1usned. happy
proud. Elsie went to lunch with him
Saturday and learned all about radio
and how to tune out static. Elsie nad
Billy over for lunch Sunday, and he
put a new aerial on the radio in her
room and talked about the invention
he was going to finish some day, ana
then suggested it would be nice TO 60
to the ZOO.
So judy was alone late in the after
noon when the telephone rang. II
might be Dick. But it was not 1t was
Elton Day.
Are you alone?"
"Why-yes."
Il want to see you, Judy. I'll be up
in just few minutes. I've got 10 see
you. Goodby."
The receiver clicked Judy, puzzled,
suddenly afraid, returned to the living
room. It seemed she had been there
for hours, leafiing through the maga-
zines she did not want to reao, lSten-
ing for the doorbell, when suddenly IL
rang loudly and. In moment tiie
landlady said, Gentleman to see you,
Judy
II was Elton, and he seemed breath
less. for a moment he could not talk
Then he managed, Judy, things are
happening. rou ~.
Elton"
else. Judy, I'm in love with you. YOU
know it. I'm saying it badly puI l
love you. For the first time In my Ale
I'm being absolutely honest. In not
worth a thing, and you know It, I've a
thousand things against me, and you'll
find out the ones I don't know. But
love you. s.,r;ro
Something had changed Elton DAY;
There was no sneer at the corners VI VI
his mouth; there was no arrogance III
his voice. He might have been on ms Is
knees. on the worn carpet, IN tnS
shabby room. He might have peeh
pleading for life. r,.o,, Dov
Perhaps he was. Perhaps Eltoa LAY LAY
looking at the years ahead OF nun;
atraid of his own loneliness he had
fought SO hard to achieve. For ne saio
aoain in a voice that broke Sharply
roughly. Il love you, Judy Ailsoli,
Wont Won saw something? Anything
,Ta1k tn me, Judy! Tell me-tell me
whatever nhth We @ YOU want to say. But talk
Judy!' ,,aors for
only second. -, .vo,,
Then she said. rather steao@-. Yo.,
haven't any tight to say those tiiilss.
Mo right to say you're the one per
son in the world I've ever known "aa
beautiful and right? No rlgnt 10 say say
/ love you? I've every rlenC M o .,te
world And it's true! Listen TO me
T,,dv Allison I want you to marry me
want YOU to go SO far away from
everything 1 know, everything that
hanpened to both of us. that none OF IL
will ever touch us again. Don't you
hear me? I'm asking you 10 marry me
JUDY. 1 want you to be with me d.
ways. judy" ,o,r
.i,Idv held hard to the back OF chail
with trembling, jerking fingers. hiS
voice roared in her ears. SoInetu!lls
shouted IN ler nedll. NOI iinN e,AA' So
She had ever known. Not like the surge
of warmth. of peace, that she 1eit WheI . I
Dick Mason said. Il love you, judy.
Not like that. Something frightened
her, that was new
She moved her hands across hei
mouth. in a frail gesture that meant
mo Please don't say anything more
No" -.
He brushed her hands away, helc
them tightly. looked at her. HIS eyes
begged. Judy, tell me! You don
hate me any more. You know you
don't. Tell me, Judy!"
II don't hate you," she said 1t was
true. Whatever hate there had peer
was gone You cannot hate man who
is helpless whose armor is gone, who
grovels because he loves you. Il don't
hate you," she repeated quietly.
Then I've a right to say it again.
love you, Judy Allison! And you're
going to love mel
She laughed. 1t was very small
laugh, it was not what she had meant
it was like striking Elton Day in the
face.
"No," she said. I'm not. couldn't
love you if I wanted to. And 7 don'1
want D."