Evening star., 1933-03-13
MX Svernie Connolly : IA

read. or listen to the radio while I
get ready?"
ayes, / might as well. I certainly
don't want to stay down here any
June put on her new evening dress.
Bruce had never seen her in anything
burst upon him there in her Nttle
living room. dazzling, glorified young
thing. Bruce stared in astonishment.
you are the loveliest creature !
ever laid my eyes on anywhere, and
mean every word Of It,"
You're darling, Bruce. II please
you, that's enough" Her tempting
mouth was close to his, her fragrance
swept his senses.
Sweet
Il must CO." she said at last, draw
ing herself reluctantly out Of his arms.
II must get you some pearls :"
round, white throat. She was wearing
an old gold chain that had belonged
| to her mother.
She sang gloriously that night, hrst
smiling radiantly, as the columnist had
said. and kissing her fingers to people
she knew here and there. Her spon-
tanetty and indebtedness were her
great charm.
Phil Sheridan was there. The real
rivalry between Phil and Bruce dated
from that night, though they had ions
been friends.
After her theme song. she danced
with Bruce. People stared, and .
murmur Of recognition swept the
room. He was too well known to escape
this focus Of attention, considering all
the publicity since Kay,s disappearance.
The music stopped and, followed by
curious eyes, they made their way to
June's table, where both men had
places.
Hello. darlin'." Phil got up, smiled
his admiration. How are you, Bruce
l saw by the papers you were back"
"Misquoted as usual. How are you?
Thought you were In Florida :"
| I've gone and come. June, brought
you some Fleur de Alps"
now"
do you like that?" Bruce asked.
surprised as she slipped the sweetish
liquer:
when was at his apartment. That re-
minds me. Phil, I've still got the key
to your place"
=. Hruces r M face Redeemed. He could not
4
That's ali fight-keep T."
Bruce burst out, anger making INN
1ncautious. why should she have q
key to your apartment?"
mo special reason, except when
was away / told her she could 20 up
there and rest If she felt like it. You
know it's pretty quiet place"
Did you 60. June?"
mo, was too busy"
Give him back the key"
II haven't it with me-"
| Don't be ridiculous, Bruce"
You know I'm not being ridiculous.
I'll have this out with you under other
conditions"
Phil capitulated. He knew the value
Of acquiescence. I'll send nv man for
the key In the morning, June" he said.
"All right I'll leave 1t at the desk,
In case I'm OUT
Phil changed the subject. what do
you think of our little song bird?" he
asked Bruce.
Il think she is very effective" Bruce
answered, conceding June her due, even
though he was disturbed.
May I have this dancer" The or
chestra was beginning.
June rose. You viii excuse US, won't
you, Bruce?"
On the floor. Phil was gay and
bantering as usual. What a little
tempest OF jealousy you stirred up, my
Funny. 1t didn't occur to me that
ned care, or think anything of it."
If you only knew what he thought
He'll have me on the carpet, privately.
the hrst opportunity, and lecture me
FOR putting temptation In the way Of
innocence-co compromising q girl he re-
veres by giving her the key to my
apartment"
Hush. Tell me. was awful?"
! Awful? I'd say awful nice. You're
the hit Of the town and you don't even
know 1t. I'd back you IN show right
now; And predict for you radio offers,
movie contracts-anything you want"
You don't have to make fun Of me.
II can keep on earning q hundred Q
week and my suite I'll be overjoyed."
rs that all you get for all the work
you're doing?"
| "All? It's a fortune"
June and Bruce left about / 80. Phil
had gone some time before. not caring
TO intensity Bruce's antagonism.
Where would 20 you Ike to Srds: sos" 'A'o'
| Why don't We Just drive? I need
the air more than anything else
In the car, snuggled close by Bruces
side, June felt happy and protected.
He said, holding her hand SO tightly
IN his that it hurt, June, want you
to give up this job. dislike the whole
thing intensely"
There's nothing wronx about II.
Bruce. It is highly respectable-thats
But it's cheapening-mingling with
speak to you who takes a notion!"
That's q perfectly horrid and snob-
bish thing for you to say. and I don't
like it. You'd better not come there
any more II that's what you are think
ing"
Il decided wouldn't tonight. June.
please drop the whole thing. Move to
some quieter place where we can see
each other In peace. You ought to
have an apartment.
Don't you know 7 am working be.
cause Of the money? II I stay In New
York, my income is not suficient to
pay my expenses. can 60 back to
Rolla and live on what I have, Of
course"
II don't want you to. I'd feel for
saken. But If you stay here on NV
account, why isn't it reasonable for me
to help you financially?"
you won't marry me, but you win
put me IN that position? If I took
money from you, I'd lose my self-re.
spect. You don't want that. Why don't
you leave me alone? I've had q streak
OF rare luck to get a good position,
when I've had no business training or
experience"
Just the same, 1t cheapens YOU"
Phil doesn't think there Is anything
wrong about it,
rs he in love with you?"
June realized her mistake Lets not
argue. Bruce. You have no right to
dictate to me. We aren't even en-.
gagged"
1T amounts to the same thing"
it?" 's
We couldn't do that now, under the
circumstances. It wouldn't be good
form"
"VollldpY go vo,, .>> xA.x -,s