Evening star., 1934-09-02
NU r Sc <
BY
KATHERINE
CARSON

Come on, Stanley, you bad boy.
Get up and say hello to your sister
I'm Tootsie Mcintyre, dearie. I know
you have heard Stanley speak of me-"
said the horrible old woman.
"Oh, let Stanley alone. He's blotto,
aren't you, darling?" said a peculiarly
thin woman with dangling eardrops,
who was sitting close to him Stanley
growled something and let his head
fall forward on his arms.
Mrs. McIntyre's voice, which had
been sugary, suddenly rasped: Let
him alone, Sonia. And I'll thank you
to keep your knees to yourself"
This must be the rich Mrs. McIn-
tyre, whom Stanley had hoped would
invest in Harrington's business if he
could get himself in her good graces.
You don't introduce me to your
man." came Mrs. McIntyre's audible
whisper. "He looks too charming;
but don't be afraid, won't take him
away from you.
Haida, angry and confused, bit her
lip. What must Gerald be thinking,
seeing her brother so intimate with
these vulgar people and herself greet
ed by them with such effusiveness!
Did he think she was accustomed to
people of this sort? She glanced at
him uneasily and could have blessed
him for the little twinkle of fun in
his eye. At least, he was not taking
it seriously. There was nothing to do
but present him to Mrs Mcintyre,
who begged them again to sit down
at her table and be cozy.
"I don't think Stanley is we'll" said
Mazda, uneasily. rs his car here?
I'm going to drive him home, if it is"
Mrs. McIntyre's fat, jewelled hands
rumpled Stanley's hair caressingly.
Hes not sick" she laughed. She
forced a steaming cup of coffee be-
tween his lips, and he patted her
hand and said, Good old Tootsie!"
Whether he had really been drunk
or his confusion had been caused by
shame at being seen by Mazda and
Pryde, in company with Tootsie and
her friends. MAZDA never knew. If
it were the latter, he more than made
up for it now.
"Sit down and join the party" he
said boisterously. Don't be bashful." ]"
She was grateful when Gerald, who
up to this time had said little, took
efficient charge of the situation.
Il am awfully sorry we have to CO."
he said urbanely to Mrs. Mcintyre
Every one knows what Mrs. McIn-
tyres parties are. Perhaps 1 shall be
more lucky some time in the future.
Very glad to drop you anywhere, Stan
ley" he added, with compelling gaze
at the befuddled boy.
Il can take care of myself" NUT
tered Stanley.
| Mrs Mcintyre called roguishly after
Gerald, Indeed, you shall come to one
of my parties I'm going to add you
to the list OF my beaus."
She forgot in the ardor Of her en-
thusiasm. to take any farewell of Mai
da, and Mazda thought she heard the
girlish voice of Tootsie say to Stanley,
"Stuck-up thing. don't care If she
is your sister"
She went out of the hotel and got
into GeraldS car in silence, Strug-
Cling not to cry, and when they were
under way she could no longer keep
back the tears. Gerald said nothing,
but reached over and patted her hand
sympathetically, which, of course,
made her weep more than ever.
What is the matter? Have I done
anything you didn't like?" he asked
her anxiously.
Mazda shook her head
Il was afraid you thought should
have made Stanley come away with
U.s." he went on. But he was all
right, and knew you wouldn't like a
fuss You can't argue with"
With a drunken man, know" she
finished defiantly, as he paused. "Oh,
Gerald can't bear it. We were hav-
ing such happy afternoon; l was
purring like kitten because l was SO
proud of being with the most attrac-
tive man in the room And then to
find my brother with those common
people, on intimate terms with them.
and TO find that he was not him
self"
You mustn't be too serious about
it, MAZDA" he advised her. 1T was
an odd-looking bunch, but you know
how it goes, people get on the out
side Of few drinks and they all act
funny Mrs. Mcintyre herself Is not
q bad sort. I've heard Of her. She "a