Evening star., 1933-08-19

He-he doesn't know any one in Holly.
woodland I know he's lonesome, ano
he won't understand"
Don't be a SILL" Freckle said crisply
Butter your bread, sister, then gel
romantic under the California moor
with your sugar from Virginia. But
don't pass up . chance like Little
Tommy will stick around. You couldn't
drive him away with smallpox"
Tommy arrived not more than . hall
minute after Mary had ridden away ir
Curt Little's limousine. Freckle wa,
glad he had missed his rival. She wal
very much inclined to think Tommy
might have lost his head and swung
into a few fisticuffs.
There was such q look OF glad an
ticipation on Tommy's handsome young
face that Freckle's soft irish hear
ached when she faced the job Of dis
illusioning him. 1t might be bettel
to strike Immediately. she thought, BE-
fore Tommy had chance to say any
thing.
well. Tommy" she forced grir
and slapped him on the back, buck up
old keed. I've got terrible blow fo'
you. Mary got very important hust.
know how long she'll be gone-but un'
til very late, imagine"
Tommy opened his mouth to speak
but Freckle talked against the ques'
tions and the hang dog look In his eyes
"Mr Little has found . Job Tor Mar!
and she had to 60 see about It tonign'
or not at all. You know how 1t is-a
job can't wait. There are too man!
F0v ~ n,
hearted about it. But she tust had u
GO
When Freckle paused, Tommy. rootet
to the spot with surprise and disap'
pointment, nodded slowly.
II see-stood me up. Stood me W
for that old millionaire. Well, that!
that" he shrugged-but his face wa
gray, "Ill be goin'."
Freckle twisted her hands behind hel
back. It was too much like seeing 9
little child beaten by great, big brutt
seeing young Tommy stand ther'
looking like that. Oh, II there wert
only something she could do about 1t
Mary just had to 60 out with Cur
Little.
She must not give up the chance fol
a lob and security. Why must Tommy
be so stupid with love that he couldn'
see it? Freckle decided to talk to hin
like a Dutch uncle. She showed hin
into chair.
Listen, Tommy, don't let a littl
thing like Mary going out to see abou
a job bust you up. Use your head
She's got sense enough to take car
Of herself. Curt Little won't do he
any harm He treats her like a xix
sister. Why, you're so much in low
with her you're thinking all kinds o
crazy things"
Tommy hung his head hoplessly.
You don't understand, Miss Bryan
She's only child, really. And I'm sur,
an old man like that with so mucl
isn't taking her out every night jus
because he wants to be q good samart
tan. I'm q man and know the worlt
better than you. You're only an limo
cent girl"
Freckle suppressed q smile at that
She wanted to tell him he knew abou
as much about the world as her 2-year
old brother But she didn't dare. In
stead. she got impatient.
Look here. Tommy Smith, don't b
so selfish. No girl these days is goinl
to throw away q chance to feather
good soft nest for herself Just for ,
Times are too hard. Curt Little Is ,
wonderful start in Hollywood. II 70,
weren't 50 narrow-minded and in low
you'd be glad she had the beauty ant
the brains and wanted to have prett!
clothes and make friends With tn
best people"
Tommy got up slowly.
"I-guess you're right. I'm standin
in her way I guess I have been kint
of blind. She always was just pluml
crazy about dressin' up like q clothes
horse. But I didn't think she'd sacri
flee her old friends and her family ant
everything for all these bright Light
out here"
Freckle Laughed.
You sound just like you'd swallowed
Bible when you talk like that. Tommy
For goodness sake stop preaching ant
act like grown-up man. Mary love
you. I know she does! But she ha
ambition and you can't expect . gir
with her looks not to like to show 'en
of. Be your age!"
Tommy walked to the door.
"You-you've made me understand
lot Of things never understood before
Miss Bryan, and II guess it's time
Gid grow up and be my age. You cal
tell Mary won't bother her any more.
"Oh, Tommy-cau me Freckle an
don't be such an oldman," she waile,
helplessly. "You sweet thing! Don
go away feeling like Q funeral and look
ing like the chief mourner. Come bac
tomorrow afternoon-or tomorrow morn
ing-and talk to Mary about it."
mot much!" Tommy jammed hi
hat onto his hot, aching, bemuddle
head and slumped down the stairs.
Freckle threw up her hands helplessly
She decided not to tell Mary q thin
about Tommy's threat b give her tn
air, for she felt quite certain he woul
be back.