Evening star., 1932-11-29
.ty ConuvsIy
CHAPTER 81.
BAD PENNY BACK.

BAL PENN bACh.
//ITS Dicky," said Santa.
Tell him to buzz of"
But Give, after dining with
i him we can't"
Don't see it. Besides, you've
not told me what he wants"
Seems to think he's become one of
the family-that he's taken us under his
wing. as it were"
Tell him We don't need his wing"
He's waiting" She bit her lip.
Think up some excuse that's plaus-
ible.'
SAY that enough's as good as a
feast"
She withdrew her hand from the
mouthpiece.
Olives awfully sorry; he's brought
home work from the office. What S
that? Yes, I'm free l wanted to help
him, bu.- Well. you know how it iS
you've been married. no hu-b-ad be-
licves MS wife has brains. All right.
Only for a minute. Glad to see you"
What on earth made you say that?"
Give rested hand on her shoulder.
She smiled up.
What else could l say? You vel
coined him SO heartily yesterday just
because we can't use him is no reason
for being rude"
In the drawing room, while they
waited moodily for Oaks appearance,
Santa renewed the interrupted CONVEX
sation.
Lets hear more about the dream
cottage. I love listening to you when
you enthuSe
But you treat the idea so frivolously
Santa There's nothing ridiculous about
owning home vho-e one can see green
things growing. Livirg at a distance
has one great advantage. Ycu can't
be treSpassed on by every Tom, Dick
and Harry"
Don't worry over Dicky." she soothed
him. PLEAD your work. Ill get rid Of
him"
Getting rid of the first husband!"
Give shot her a satiric glance. We've
been trying to do it since the day We
married"
The door bell rang. She placed her
hands on his shoulders. Always you
and I, my lover. Make him see that
you value me if he couldn't
There in the passage stood Oak.
blond and imposing No man could
have looked more frank.
Its raining" he announced. shak-
ing a dripping umbrella es evidence.
1T rcvcr rains bit it pou-s." Give
relieved him C. the Umbrella, carrying
il OF to the pantry, where it could do
no damage
On his return, his guest greeted him,
That remark Of yours could be ap-
piled to my visits"
"Oh. 1 don't know!" Give mumbled.
Santa. with more social adroitness,
protested:
Don't be silly, Dicky. You tried to
do Give good turn. Why shouldn't
you call?"
mo good beating about the BUSH"
Oak settled himself comfortably. I've
been thinking about you two lot Been
thinking how decent you've been to me-"
so you're going to hand us tip
on the stock market" Give suggested
faceticu~ly
You're great chap" Oak sank
deepeT crossing lliI legs. There aren't
many hu- bands C vcu- short standing
who would sscw such leniency. vcu
ought to regard NE as an untouchable.
Instead of which you shake my hand
welcome me to your home. I'm over
come by your generosity"
Give searched the handsome. self
indulgent face to make certain that 1t
wasn't mocking him.
you've sized me up wrongly. I'm
ter"
Santa tugged on Gives sleeve.
81 can explain what Dicky's trying
to tell you. You might have forbidden
me to acknowledge that he existed"
She turned to her first husband, You're
right Give Is generous"
Seems to NJ You're both consn'rino
t. rrcke q f-nt Of -" Cli-e shifted
ce,c- -cc1=cicu-l... "E-----'s the position