Evening star., 1934-05-16

her mothers HOOD OF W0rQS.
" She made a picture of herself
in the most convenient chair.
A remote picture of an un-
happy bride.
Hi, Sandra," she gave the familiar
greeting You and Ethel Barry
more-one can scarcely tell which is
which"
who is who" Sandra said. "a
year from now it will be even more
difficult to decide which is Barry
more"
Mother tells me you've heard from
Gill"
Eyes. He must have seen that story
in the paper and wired me good wishes
for the opening"
Always did have a flair for Gil.
didn't you, Sandy?" Valeries slant
eyes narrowed.
mot especially" sandra said, and
meant it.
Wonder you didn't annex him
when you had the chance"
Never occurred to me-"
stop it, children" Mrs. Reynal
complained. "I declare the two of you
can't be together for a moment with
out flying at each other. We must
decide what's to be done about
Valerie's husband. He's demanding a
divorce. He has threatened to go to
Reno or Mexico and obtain one him.
self unless Valerie does so. Absurd
children. II they'd only come together
and have their own establishment
everything would right itself?"
There's no use going over that, /"
Valerie said angrily. I'VE both made
mistake. I suppose we'll have to
undo it,
Sandra wondered at Valerie's ready
acceptance Of the situation. Only a
short while ago Val must have Gil
or die getting him. She professed
that sort of love Did love die so
quickly? Were persons like Val, like
herself, doomed to tire of every cup
after the first few sips? Sandra's
friendship with Stephen Hale, her
need of him, was that but another
glass of heady wine in which the
tang would die as it passed the lips?
1t was difficult to imagine Steve go
ing stale.
What do you propose to do?" San
dra addressed her mother She would
rather avoid further passage with
Val.
IF Mr.. Akin refuses to be sensi-
ble," Mrs. Reynal said, his wife
shall 60 to Paris. And since I can
not leave you here unchaperoned,
Sandra, I shall expect you to accom-
pany US"
Sandra forced a smile to die un-
borned. Sorry to disappoint you,
mother. I couldn't possibly leave my
job
"Of course, I know you're safe
enough with your uncle Mrs. Rey-
nal went on, but that old house
gives me the horrors. There's been
no life in it since your fathers time"
Sandra let the smile crinkle the
corners of her eyes. Wasn't she sur
rounded with youth and gayety? A
whole theater full of it? Corinne
did not know about the place in
Twelfth street; she thought she was
with Uncle Raoul.
I'D be much stronger to help Va
lerie if I knew you were living as you
should" Mrs. Reynal continued. It's
high time you stopped playing about
with Sonny Warren and took the
young man seriously As Mrs War
rem. I should be satisfied to leave you.
and I should have only Valerie to
care for"
"Mother!" Sandra rose from her
chair, pulled the hat she held in her
hand down over her shining hair. The
collapse of Val's marriage had taught
Corinne nothing. Her schemes we're
going on. Il have no intention of
marrying Sonny Warren, now or at
any time in the future. He's fine, for
play. Beyond that. out of the picture
completely. I'm not marrying this
season. 1 shall stay in New York
and go on with my work. That's
final"
"Raoul has. set you against us. I
knew he would try" Corinne was
whimpering again.
1--WE have not discussed you. But
the Owl has helped me to an appre-
citation of you both I never had be-
fore. must hop along Curtains
don't wait. II there is anything I
can do you'll find me at the the
ater."
Sandra studied Steve's face, Sur
repticiously, as they entered the IL
brary to wait for Uncle Raoul. She
had told him very little of the old
mansion or Of its master. Steve. she
could see, was impressed. His smile
came slowly.
Il know why you like your snug
bug" he said. This is-rather stu
pendouS"
Not when you know all the hooks
and crannies," Sandra explained. 1T
suits the Owl, exactly. I really love
1t. 1t was my fathers home-Sort
of Reynal Rock of Gibraltar. The
-bug-that's my own, and I love
it, too"
Uncle Raoul, coming into the room,
heard the last part of her speech she
was sure.
Good evening" The greeting,
pleasantly informal, was for Steve
and Sandra both.
Uncle Raoul," Sandra said, feeling
curiously i'll at ease" I want you to
meet Mr.. Hale, Mr.. Stephen Hale.
He is an author"
Author, eh?" Uncle Raoul extended
his hand. Interesting work writing,
and difficulS I should think. Please sit
down"
Steve sat down. I'm not exactly an
author-yet," he said. 1--WE been for
tunate enough to sell few things. in
Guiding a sketch for the show in which
Sandra is playing.
"Um, playwright" The thin coat
ing of ice which had underlaid Uncle
Raoul's pleasant greeting and which
had melted at the word author, froze
again.
THE theater is only one of Steve's
of Mr.. Hale's markets ,"she defended
Hes done things for magazines, too,
and for newspapers. I'm sure he in