Evening star., 1932-12-06
IA PATH T@PARADISEl
- u CsnissIy N ~ DAWSON - -
DAKSON.

murmured.
He set the chair to rights with elebo-
rate politenesS.
THANK you for recalling to me that
nothing in our home is mine"
II am" she smiled brilliantly.
Striving for self-control, he stood
rigid Her sudden switch from sullen-
ness to amiability struck note Of in
sincerity.
That's as may be, Santa. Everything
that / possess Is yours, II that's what
you mean by being mine. But DON
let's muddle the issue. You haven't an
atom of respect for me. You abuse my
affection and rely on your physical ct
traction. You're as unfair as your
mother"
His passion sobered her. From being
tantalizing she became appeaSing.
IF I've stubbed my toe, it's because
I've been too just to everybody"
| Since she was willing to argue, he
reseated himself, slightly mollified.
My dear Santa, come down to earth.
Allow me to tick OF your attempts at
justice"
Like getting out a financial report
on one of your companies" she twitted
him. Don't be so neutral. Pull your
chair closer"
He complied grudgingly.
"Your past doesn't make favorable
showing. You gave me the gate when
I proposed to you, and engaged your
self to Dicky."
IT was afraid Of love-" she excused
herself. Il loved you too tremend-
ously."
mendously, you left me to suffer. A
queer way of showing devotion!"
But am queer" She rested hand
| on his knee prettily.
TN say you are. The bird in the
bush-the chap you've missed-is the
one you value. You discover lofty mo-
tives for your chopping and changing
For instance, when you were pledged to
Dicky, you promised to follow me to
Europe"
You're digging awfully far back,
darling"
why not? I was once the bird you'd
missed You've always been consistent
in your inconsistency. You played the
same game on Dicky that you're play
ing on me. Having chosen him, you
tried to collar both Of U.s."
Then, in your opinion, I'm promis-
cuous- minded" she suggested.
In my opinion" he thwarted her ef-
fort to charm him, you're totally lack
tossed me to the bow-wows, you recon-
sidered and divorced Dicky."
which proves my fairness" she
pleaded "a more obstinate idiot would
have stuck to her guns and ruined the
lives of all three of U.S."
1T won't do" He smiled grimly. IT
have sized you up. In your own opin-
ion you're goddess. You can do no
wrong But when you married me, you
were no philanthropist. A woman who
has failed one man can fail q second.
e. fn f6nr to wa
to make special effort. Instead OF
which"
She held out her arms.
Cant we cry quits?"
mo! We've reached the cross roads.
You don't at all appreciate the crisis.
If your tenderness for Dicky Is genu-
inc, you must prefer him. Why not
return to him? The decision we make
tonight is final"
He hadn't set out to say that. What
If In an attempt to lash him back to
her she, too, should adopt the whip Of
cruelty? Her lips puckered. Her hands
clenched and unfolded.
There isn't any decision"
With wriggle that convulsed her
entire body she twisted, burying her face
in the cushions.
He was on his knees beside her.
st knew there wasn't. Please don't
hide"
She drew his head down. Gradually
her sobbing ceased. For some moments
there was silence.
What are you thinking, Santa?"
She released him.
"Geel You're handsome. If you ever
looked cross-eyed at another woman,
I'd bump her of. That's how much I
! care for you"
The telephone tinkled. She was On
her feet in second.
"Ill bet that's Dicky. He never
knows when he's licked. Listen while
give him his hail and farewell"
She seized the receiver in fighting
mood.
"Yes. That's correct. Yes"
She turned.
"It's for you-a woman"
Give took the receiver with q vigor
scarcely less belligerent than her own.
Hello! What d'you want?" His irri-
tation evaporated; his tone became
honeyed. "Oh, it's you'll Teach him
lesson No, she didn't at first.
Why certainly. III beat him up for
you any time. Not at all-the pleasures
mine"
He rang of to discover that Santa
was still standing behind him.
who was she?"
"Lou-Lou."
"But she's as detestable to me as
Dicky is to you. How did you get so
friendly with her?"
He took compassion on her. Con-
fesSed how he'd gone behind her back
by visiting Lou-Lou at the theater.
With head bent Santa continued the
polishing of her nails.
I've lost one husband to Lou-Lou.
don't intend to lose another Never
again, as long as live, Give, will I do
anything without consulting you. You
believe that, don't you?"
Danger approaches Santa, tomorrow,