Evening star., 1933-03-20
INSTALLMENT XXVI.

Lucy was not about when Hartley
admitted her. Hickory sat by the win
dow, papers scattered about.
I've seen them" she said, in answer
to their questioning glances. And
think it's rotten. How did it happen?"
Sheridan must have notified the
police. After all, the jewels were prob
ably stolen in his house, and he couldn't
do anything else" Hartley pointed out.
and Hickory handed her the papers.
She scanned the headlines as q waiter
came with their breakfast.
The phone rang, Hickory answered
1t, and they heard him all but snarl,
mo, Miss Varick Is not here-she Is
out Of town-we don't know when she'll
be back"
That's telling 'em" Hartley laughed.
Now, suppose we can the jitters and
have an Easter egg. Did anybody re-
member: by any chance. that this Is
Eastern"
"And missed the parade" walled
Lucy That's why I came to New
York! Why did you have to lose your
jewels and make everybody crosse"
IT suppose I don't count" said June.
well, aren't you?" Hickory de-
manded.
mot about losing the necklace. I'm
sore because have to have my name
dragged all around town when I've
never done anything to deserve it."
That's what we are mad about, too.
But you aren't entirely blameless. You
accepted sapphires from Bishop, and re-
member even Phil Sheridan, who, !
imagine, isn't easily shocked, thought
that WAS a pretty big dose"
What a lot of conventional bunk!"
Lucy offered. why wouldn't a man
give June jewels II he could afford to,
especially when he's in love with her as
Bruce is, and expects to marry her?"
There was nothing wrong about it, u
Hartley agreed. But it's pretty annoy
ing to have to tell the world. None of
us were clever last night, or rather this
morning II We had been we would
have kept the whole thing quiet"
There was knock on the door and
Hartley admitted Bruce. Have you had
breakfast" Hart asked
mo. I'd like some coffee If I may"
Turning to the little group about the
breakfast table, he said, Good morn
ing" stifay.
Hello. Bruce" June greeted him.
You're mad about the papers, aren't
you?"
I'm pretty sorry, dear. How did 1t
happen? I'd like to hear the whole
story"
Hartley told him.
Il am going to make a statement" "
he said "1T say that my sister in
jured Miss Varick, and when she
wouldn't accept any damages we gave
her the sapphires as a Christmas gift
That might help a little" Hartley
admitted. IF June weren't so doggoned
pretty, and II you hadn't been going
about together for months"
The newspapers will only laugh at
you-just whatch what they'll do to a
story like that" Hickory said. II think
June ought to go home with me to-
Il think so, too" Bruce agreed. "You
are flying aren't you?"
Bruce You don't mean it," June
couldn't believe she had heard Alright.
Yes, do mean it. Temporarily, OF
course. You have been in the lime
light so much over Kay, and now
You and Hickory are both crawl
she stormed. You think 1t is bad 10,
me to have a thing like this happen In
New York? Don't you know it will seen
10 times as bad to the folks at home:
You know how small towns are, Hickory
even if Bruce doesn't"
II 1t were any one but you, June. II
say you were right. But the folks a,
home all love you and know how fins
you are"
We'll, If I've got any fneness In mt
III put it to the test by staying righ,
here and going on with my Job. If yor
tnlnk am going to throw away $500 8
week just because one man gave me 5
string of sapphires and another STOLE
them, you're wrong!"
June Is right Lucy said Shed be
Ioolsh to 60 home. especially with
Hartley sided with his wife.
Bruce said. Il am going to make Phi
answer an 70 me for this publicity. I think
he is responsible for the story that
gave June the necklace. Otherwise how
that?" ~ -o-A "
Iney were all q little stunned.
II was my fault, probably" JUNE
Salo. II told Phil when We went bacl
last night, or this morning, and some
one could easily have overheard"
Bruce got up. I'm going to see phi,
sible." Ae'po'i'
Hartley said. "I'll go. too" and Hick.
ory went to bring his own hat anc
coat. Bishop must not be allowed r.
compiicate matters by having a row
with Phil.
Linder sent for June the followins
DAY. He was displeased over the pub.
licity.
ITS . bad thing for you-for tn,
hotel" he told her. And what's thi.
about sheridans getting Q license K
marry you?"
rs that in the papers, tool"
"Yes-didn't you know it,"
Not was a joke-his getting tn,
license-he wanted me to marry hin
saturday night at the party-and, o.
course, wouldn't"
1t wouldn't be bad match, woulc
II? II you were married, your position
wouldn't be open to question-you coulc
keep on here with your singing ;
DO you suppose if I were married
to Phil Sheridan I'd sing in this hotel! 7
You realize. Of course. that you art
Ia an unfortunate position so far as thu
Between Six and Seven Club is con.
ceTned. Down there you are the kind.
hearted little country girl consoline
lonesome folks. You've drawn q pretty
conventional crowd, you know"
Il know it. But can't help what
has happened. I'll go on doing my best
and If It isn't satisfactory, you car
terminate the arrangement whenever
you like"
Come now, don't get on your high
horse. I guess things will work out al
right. You have made yourself valu.
able to us-you know that. Run alonf
now and be happy. After all, there ART
worse things than having young million
aires give you jewels"
June went away altogether miserable
Upstairs, she flung herself on the couch
unhappy beyond words. Then thu
phone rang. It was Phil.
I'm downstairs, June-I have thu
car. Put on your bonnet and rush tt
my side. I've got to talk with you"
Phil met her in the lobby, debonair
smiling, nonchalant Troubles fel
away, as he tucked her In the oper
roadster and headed toward the park.
Smile, darlin'-lifes not 30 bad
when YOU have me"