Evening star., 1932-05-11

n.y. u y
antagonism played between them. To
Jim Keith the rest Of the room had
melted away. There was -ly this slen-
der, imperious figure with the proud,
shining head and the unfriendly eyes.
Hot anger swept him. What fool he
had been to lay himself open TO this.
He itched to reach out and grasp her
slender, bare Shoulders-to shake her
as one would shake a bad-tempeIed
child
The spell was broken by a playful,
high-pitched voice.
"Oh. here you are, bad thingi I
wanted to tell you that the orchestra is
going TO play fox trot and I just adore
fox trots-"
The widow, in all her brazen glory,
was sweeping down on the tense little
group.
Kitty saw the muscles stiffen around
Jim Keith's mouth and her warm heart
rose in defense. She placed capable
hand on Keith's uniformed sleeve.
you're just too late, Mrs Calhoun.
Mr. Keith and are going to have this
dance"
"Oh. :" The widows mouth opened
q trifie blankly. "Oh.
Jim Keith and Kitty moved away,
leaving the disappointed lady standing
beside the silent, proud figure. By
the time they had swung onto the
dance floor Keith had recovered his
poise.
What a good sport you are to do
that" his grateful smile flashed
down into Kitty's face. And you
anticipated may own wish. I was about
to ask YOU"
"Oh, sure!" Every honest. square
tooth in Kitty's head greeted this. ITS
my hips captivated you, I know. . 4.
Now, Mr. Keith, do you think 1 don't
know that I'm fat an a little bit bet
tern 40 and not SO darned fair? But
1 just couldn't see you flung to the
wolves like that-especially when their
fangs are filled with gold. Man, man,
you've got a dangerous job!"
What a good sort you are" he said
warmly and there was something of
wonder in his tone. Jim Keith had not
met many women like warm, generous
Kitty. A jolly frankneSs in women was
q delightful novelty to him. Especially
welcome was Kitty's friendlinesS after
that astonishing snub from Joyce.
They laughed and talked and in the
back Of their assumed ease was tu-
mutt of emotion. Kitty was furious with
Joyce. Now, what was that exhibition
for?' she asked herself wrathfUlly.
Whats got into Joyce-snappin' his
head of like that?"
And jim Keith was scourging him
self in his mind. Why did ask her?
. 1 dislike her-beautiful little gold
digger. What the devil got into me
to make me go over and get snubbed?
And why? Why the devil did you do
it?"
In the same words Kitty put the
question when she went to her cabin
later and found Joyce still awake.
Swathed in a black satin robe stiff with
gold embroidery, she looked, with her
unbound copper hair and strange, deep
eyes, like some beautiful medieval prin-
cess.
There was a mutinous droop to the
red mouth, an unhappy restIessness in
the depths Of her eyes, but Kitty was
not moved.
why the devil did you do it?" Kitty
demanded wrathfully. What was the
IDEA Of answering that poor fellow so
short? He was just being polite"
With 1.-THE movement, Joyce sat up
right and showed back the masses OF
her hair with her white hands.
That's just the reason" Her voice
was low and fierce. He only did 1t to
be polite! He doesn't like me any bet
ter than I like himl"
Kitty was peeling her dress over her
head with the same quick movement
with which one skins bananas. She
turned to Joyce, a picture Of reproylng
dignity somewhat marred by her cos
tune Of short pink underwear.
Joyce Cameron, I never heard any,
thing SO silly in my life! You may have
your own cockeyed reason for not liking
Jim Keith, but why you say he dlsltkes
you"
That look in his eyes! AS though
he were laughing at me-" Joyce
began and suddenly stopped.
Il think you're crazy" said Kitty
shortly. 7 talked to him a long time
tonight. He's nice boy and I'd like
to rub that doctors pug nose on the
floor for knocking him!"
Maybe you would'-Joyce lit a Gig
arctic with assumed calmness-'but 1
know what 1 think. He thinks he can
car make a woman like him! You
heard what the doctor said-about that
old scandal about a woman. Well, I
believe it! He's good looking, III admit
that, and most women would make
fools Of themselves about him. Well,
here's one who Won't!'
Doesn't seem to me you've had the
chance!" said Kitty with what was for
her, unusual asperlty.
Don't be catty, Kitty!" Joyce's head
was bent but Kitty saw the hand which
held the lighter tremble, and with q
rush she crossed the room and forced
the girls face up to meet her gaze.
The other twisted her head away, but
not before Kitty had seen the tears
hanging on the long lashes.
"Joyce-darlin,' tell Kitty what is
it?"
The girls voice came smothered on
Kitty's kind shoulder. L don't know,
KITTY There's no excuse. . I don t
know why I'm so rude. I suppose
that look on his face when we first
met him-he called me Miss Cameron
he thinks I'm a common gold dig
ger who married Roger for his money.
And the funny part of it is, Kitty,
that / don't care what he thinksl
dislike himl Oh-intensely! l don't
see why even waste breath on himi