Evening star., 1934-01-19
INSTALLMENT XIV.

<AAAo SAAS "esS N>S
appointed, in way.
L. It was the quietest dinner
party she had ever seen.
Whether Charity had floored her guests
with the green evening gown, the new
hair cut, and her naughty. changed
EXPRESSION, she did not know. Except
for the puzzled, slightly poisonous ex-
preston she caught in the slant green
ewes of Chickie Belle when they fell
on Charity, there wasn't much ex-
element.
Charity took her place as hostess
almost with defiance. Doug made q
weak attempt to bring gayety into the
party, and occasionally Batch would try
to help him out. But it was OF little
use Most of the crowd seemed ANXIOUS
to eat and get back to town. Only
few of the girls were to remain TO De
taken back the next morning. Charlty
had asked Billie to stay and take ner
shopping for clothes the next day.
She was astonished to see how much
easier it was to sit at her place as
hostess than the evening before. Then
she had burned with humiliation that
she could think of nothing to say,
knowing that she was i'll gowned and
unattractive. sparrow among the
birds Of paradise of Broadway.
Only "a hours had passed. And
in that short time she had come to
feel superior to Doug's friends. At first
she had a desire to say things That
would make them realize what she
thought of them. But that soon passed
away and left her feeling strangely de-
tached-yet with ranking anger that
was pleasantly sustaining.
She held that feeling all through
dinner and through the good-byeS. by
II every one who was leaving had
gone, and the others decided it would
be a good idea to get some sleep.
Billie went to her room feeling q little
disappointed that things had gone SO
notwithstanding with curiosity to
find out whether Doug has told Charity
how well she looked.
She wanted to 60 to Charity's room
and have a talk before she went to
sleep. But her intuition told her that
Doug would find some excuse to pay
call on his wife. She did not want to
be In the way. Perhaps Charity would
tell her all about it the next day.
Billie was a good prophet. Charity
had not undressed and was sitting oy
the window gazing with tired
melancholy at the moon when knock
came on her door. Thinking 1t was
Billie she switched on light and called
But it was Doug, in pajamas and
robe-and she recalled that the girls
had spied on her the evening before
to see whether her husband went to
her-and she hoped desperately they
we're still keeping watch. Somehow
she must manage to keep Doug.
He grinned and asked little SELF
consciously. Aren't you going to invite
me to sit down?'
Charity motioned to the chaise lounge,
imbued again with the courage of anger.
"Stretch out and make yourself COM
Portable. You must be tired after all
the entertaining
Doug piled pillows up and leaned
back. II am. Old age, I guess"
Charity curled up in the big chair,
her heart beating a tattoo. She wonder
ed why he had come. He looked over
at her moment In silence then
smiled.
II like your hair cut 1t takes about
10 years of you"
PANTY, And my eyebrows? They've
been barbered, too."
You look-much different" Doug
seemed to be studying her features.
"Your gown is stunning. I didn't know
q hair cut and a dress could make so
much difference in gal"
"You-didn't know me this afternoon
on the beach, did you?"
1t was Doug's turn to squrm
certainly didn't But nobody got wise
thank goodness. Or thanks to Billie,
I should say
billie is sweet" Charity said. She
cut my hair and fixed me up. I bought
<bje Coun from her"
It was said so naively that Doug felt
a stab of pity for Charity. He smiled
almost tenderly. $50 you're vain, TOO,
lust like every other woman?"
Charity WINGED "I-SuppoSe I am
human. Billie and I are going shop
ping tomorrow and I'm going to buy
out the town" avn,
expect to see you modelling IN the So
ciety fashion shows after tnls.
Charity looked at Doug for signs OF
sarcasm. believing he might be making
fun of her. But she saw only whole
some grin, and friendly look IN his
ewes that she had never seen before.
Shed never liked him half SO well: II
gave her the courage to say boldIy,
"And to what, may I ask, sir, do owe
this midnight call? Do you walk In
your sleep?"
souirmed uncomfortably. Darn 1t,
Charity You're keeping me busy
apologizing to you. It's new sensa-
tion to me, and don't like it,
"Then don't do It," Charity said
seriously You don't need to- I don't
expect it" ~ -. -, n,s
chin in his hands. He looked very
ming / forget all about you and chase
out and leave you all to yourself And
SUNDAY afternoon you show up just IN
time to rescue Doc from drowning. YOU
we're the only sober person on tne
ranch-besides Billie. If 1t hadn't oeen
for YOU there would have been tragedy
that would have filled the papers
oh" Charity tried to turn It on
~you would have made IT"
"You know damn well I Wouldnt
Doug said defiantly. Il was all snot
when YOU passed me in the water. !
was lucky to get back to shore without
folding up" :. ,
"Td much rather you'd forget It,.
Charity smiled a crooked little smile OF
embarrassment.
"Neyer," Doug shook his head soberly
"Youve saved my face two times now
the night when the gang came to the
penthouse. and this week end. I wish
there were some way could pay you
back"
A bold idea hit Charity. 1t was so
hold that she almost lost her speech
But she managed to say shakily, You
can-do me a favor. Then III be
eternal1y grateful to you"
Doug looked scared. For second ne
was sure she was going to ask him not
to see Yanner VandergriH again II
would be like woman-to take aovan-
tage of man Like that.
What would you like to have me
do?" he said fearfully.
If a bomb had suddenly exploded IN
the room Doug could not have been
more amazed when Charity, her race
whitening at her boldness. asked tlmloly'
"Wo-would you stay here with me TO-