Evening star., 1934-01-14

Charity sat down, feellng
awkward and i'll at ease. Isn't n?'
I've been working this afternoon -
on your balcony" Doug offered So
ciably. Painting Chickie Belle. the
dancer-against that big palm out
there
Charity swallowed and was silent.
She couldn't think of anything to say.
Doug looked at her closely and saw the
red Slowly stain her white cheeks. Sud
denly he laughed. What time did you
come in?"
don't know exactly" she evaded
miserably.
He erinned. "You-were here all the
time was painting. weren't you?"
With a desperate effort Charity tried
TO sound Indifferent. "I-dont think
so. I noticed you were at work. What
Doug could not resist a desire to
tease her. He raised his eyebrows
mockingly. Mrs. Temple! You mean
to say you sat here calmly while 1,a eand naked
thought nothing Of it,
It made Charity angry that he ex-
pected her to be narrow-minded. She
elared at him. I'm sure If painting is
what YOU choose for your lifes work
It's none of my business. I don't care
If there are so many models arouno
the place I stumble over them. AT
Nast-youre doing something.
you're a-damn good sport" Doug
said slowly, and an entirely new Doug
showed himself. She stared at him,
too astonished to answer. He leaned
toward her boyishly.
IT say, Charity there's no use IN our
being at each others throats IKE a
couple of wildcats all the time JUST
because dad got us into thlS-DuSlneSs.
I'm sorry I've been so asn rotten 70, 70 you ynr+,
fed to death over what happened last
night. I hadn't any idea that bunch
was coming" =,
IT believe you, Doug" Charity said
quietly. her face reddening again. 1t
was the first time she had called her
husband by his first name. II think
We should try to be-friends, too. II
for no other reason than that your
father wished it."
YOU'RE right" he nodded gravely.
They sat silent for a minute Sud
denly Doug jumped up. I'll get out
and give you a chance to get dressed
for dinner"
..1'll see you in the library" Charity
smiled. It was the first natural half
happy smile she oadea had ever agprIed gSsn a
teeth look like dry goods-they're sc
even. Like pearls Smile again some
time, won't you?" =.
Charity tried to. But 1t was q self
conscious grin Doug turned at the
door. by the way-Ive invited q
bunch of the show crowd out to Tenn
plehaven for the week end. If this
Not SMELL keeps I'D the beach should
be great" .
would say she didn't care to go. She
hesitated moment before she an
swered, "That'll be nice. III have to
pick up some bathing things"
Doug left the room with a sinking
sensation. It would be awful-mixing
Charity with that gang. They'd make
mincemeat of her He must have been
crazy to have suggested such a thing, :
dreaded the idea of playing hostess to
a crowd of sophisticated Broadwayites
r.ore than anything she'd ever dreaded
since her marriage. But she told her
self it was her duty. Doug's father
had given her half his fortune to help
protect Doug from Just such women
end she meant to do her duty.
The week was an uneventful one 1ol
Charity. Doug obviously tried to be
decent when they met at lunch OF
dinner. But evenings he dashed away
and there was little doubt that he
was with Yanner.
Time dragged heavily ON Charity's
hands There were times when she
wished desperately that she could &C
back to work at her old desk.
She bought bathing things and q
new evening gown In anticipation o1
the week end. Friday evening she
asked Rafferty, to drive her down tc
Templehaven and left word for Doug
that she would see him there. 1t was
Ike late June, and as Templehaver
came in sight she could not see tht
beach and Long Island Sound for the
foliage. Spring flowers were blooming
r3otously everywhere, enchantingly lovely
Charity jumped out Of the car hap
ply, and Mrs. Muggins came out o.
the house, smiling over her glasses IN
ereeting.
surprising the old housekeeper with
quick, happy hug. Then she threw
herself into the porch swing. mrs
Muggins sat down nearby on chair
4 imagine you've been pretty busy
getting ready for the party" Charity
said.
Mrs. Muggins nodded. eyes, but
like life around the place. Well have
it. too Mr.. Temple said to prepare
for about 20 guests"
You're not going to do all thai
work yourself?" Charity asked sympa'
thetically.