Evening star., 1933-11-12

she was always pursuing III CH
him, in his Seventeenth street
house with the most astonishing pieces of
news: villa on the Riviera purchased from
catalog because the pictures were too sweet
a trip to Africa because she had read Trader
Horn land must; an engagement broken
and another begun-so that when she
threw open his library door. that snowy Febru-
airy afternoon-all starry-eyed-he guessed the
nature of her news. and was not wrong
Michael darling, I bring tidings I'm in
love!"
And then: Are you interested" she asked.
"Are you?"
Michael nodded, smiling.
We'll, you'd better BE-, because it's real this
time. He's musician Michael His name is
Roark think that's a lovely name-Roark.'
She said 1T beautifully.
And then she chuckled why don't you ask
questions and get alarmed about my marrying
a long haired, unwashed genius?"
Misunderstanding her silently-came over
and pulled her down beside him on his great
leather couch.
Apparently there's no satisfying you'll As
a matter of fact, Roark doesn't sound in the
least unwashed 1t sounds very well groomed
and British, if you ask me-"
How hateful of you to guess! But he Is
British, and he is well groomed, only just the
tin.est bit threadbare It's such pity, too.
he plays so diviney. And he has a horribly
unsuitable position in travel agency, be-
England"
AS she chartered on, Michael was noticing
for the thousandth time how heartbreakingly
lovely she was.
IE NEVER ceased to wonder how Angela
could remain so absolutely simple, with
all the alteration she received. She was 23 ali
orphan She lived in lovely six-room apart
ment on Park avenue and had more money,
more young men in love with her, more clothes
and more attention than any girl Michael had
heard of.
Are you listening, Michael? Now comes the
most important part. He isn't the least bit in
love with met"
Michael really startled
You must be mistaken"
1T is strange"-she was perfectly simple
about it (and at that stage, still perfectly light
hearted)-"but it's true, nevertheless. I've been
around a bit you know, silly. I could tell
''Ye-es, expect you cou1d.'
He glanced at her, and it struck him. sud-
denly, that her absurd black lashes were
swooping down over cheeks as white as ala
baster-whiter unhealthy whiteness
He perceived that her hands lying In her lap
thin to be almost transparent. AS
he looked she put hand up to her breast.
Are you pressing your heart because of
your unrequited passion, young lady, or be-
cause it hurts you?" He tried, desperately to
keep . light note in his voice, for he remem-
bered, now, having seen her make the same
gesture frequently before.
Because of both stupid"
Benson came, then with tea; and it was not
until Angela began casting glances about for
her various belongings, that Michael broached
the subject of a doctor.
you would be doing me favor.
dear"
She promised she would go.
And will you bring this Roark chap down
to see me. one Of these days?"
why. Uncle Michael! I wouldn't dream Of
seriously going for young man until I had
your approval"
"You don't fool me in the least!"
A WEEK later he telephoned her apartment
~ ostensibly to invite her to tea, but really
to find out what the doctor had said. But she
hadn't seen him yet.
not a minute, not split second nv
lamb Tell you what III do, though. I'll bring
Roark and his fiddle down to tea"
Michael was reassured when she came in that
afternoon. She was still thin, of course, but
there was glow about her; her cheeks were
as nearly pink as he had ever seen them, and
her gray-green eyes were sparkling.
Roark proved to be a tall, dark, nice looking
fellow in his late twenties. Michael was very
favoraby impressed, and absolutely astonished
by his attitude toward Angela. Having seen
any number Of perfectly self-reSpecting young
men make absolute fools of themselves over
the girl, it new experience to watch
Roark treat her younger sister, or an
amusing kitten, or-later-as a nuisance.
After tea he played for them. Michael
realized that he had tremendous talent. Angela
lay back the couch in front of him. Her
feelings were SO plainly written on her face
that Michael prayed the young musician would
not look down and see her.
When ROark finally nut down his how he
and Michael talked for time about COM
posers At last Angela interrupted.
Am the only lady present, or am not?"
Have you ever tried talking music with