Evening star., 1934-01-21

windows, and was surprised to hear his
deep, pleasant voice answering.
So he was at home! They hadn't
met since he slept in her room at Tenn
plehaven. For moment she wanted to
get up and walk away. But she didn't
want to be conspicuous about 1t. So
she lay quietly, and was not surprised
to learn it was Yanner. She didn't real
ly mean to eavesdrop. But she couldn't
help hearing Doug say, almost coolly
"Yes-Yanner?"
There was a short silence. Then
Doug's voice again, calm and un-
thrilled II was busy. Yes. I'm going
to be busy this afternoon, too. Chickle
Belle Is coming up to pose. I want to
get the picture finished in time for the
Junior League Exhibition.
There was another silence. Then
Doug-defiantly! yes, Chickie was
down for the week end-and so were
20 other people =. What of it?"
They were quarreling. Charity found
herself leaning on her elbow, straining
so she would not miss a word. Doug
said hotly, "Yes, Charity was down.
you I'm going to have dinner home
tonight with her. She's a good egg
and I'm not going to embarraSs her
any more than I can help"
Doug was defending her-and quar-
reling with Yanner about it! 1t
couldn't be possible! She heard Doug
say, angrily, I won't be there!"
Then his receiver clicked viciously.
Not wanting Doug to know she had
heard, Charity walked back toward her
windows swiftly. Then she had a sud-
den impulse to talk with him. Hum
ming a little tune under her breath,
her magazine under her arm, she
walked back.
He was sitting by the window gazing
out at Central Park. She pretended
OF him.
"Greetings!" She found she could
smile gayly at him
Come into my igloo," he grinned and
my shack
Charity was happy that she was in
the gold silk sport frock she and Billie
had bought at Nine. Bordeaux. She
knew she looked as well as it was pos
sible for her to look. She looked
around the handsome bachelor apart
ment done in black and gold, and down
at her frock. "I just match" she said
brightly, and Doug grinned again.
You fit in very nicely. A new
dress?"
Mercy. yes" Charity threw herself
down in a big chair and made an en-
ticing figure I'VE bought out all
of Fifth avenue yesterday. My check
book is all worn out"
Great! If all your duds look as we'll
as that yaller bib. you're going to knock
'em green with envy"
She hadn't time to answer before
Doug's phone rang. In panic she
started to get up. 1t was probably
Ysnner calling back. Doug motioned
for her to stay.
Hello. Yes, Chickie. Oh, that's
tough. Well, nothing we can do about
it. Okay. Some other time"
He hung up petulantly. Charity was
surprised to find herself suddenly
seized with an unreasoning fit OF
jealousy. That woman again! That
slant-eyed dancer! But, thank good
ness, she wasn't coming to pose. Doug
frowned.
TT was Chickie. I wanted to finish
the picture this afternoon, and she mas
a rehearsal. I want to enter it in the
Jurior League exhibit next week-for the
unemployed"
Charity was hit with a bold idea
an idea that almost struck her dump;
She said nervously, "Maybe-1 cou1o
help you?"
Doug looked puzzled. DO you know
some one who could pose-some one
near Chickies type?"
"She doesn't have red hair-but she's
about the same height. And dare say
she's Just about as shapely.'
Call her." Doug said eagerly III
all through with the head and face. l
iust wanted to put few nnsf1ns
touches to the body.
Charity got up-her knees tremonhs.
"She-shes here now. I'll nave heE
on the balcony beside the palm IN
minutes"
Doug grinned happily. That's
break! Who is she?"
charity smiled enigmatically ana
blew him little farewell KISS d pic saar
walked out. Then she went to her
room, to sit on her bed shaNly, turning
ice cold at her boldness. What had
possessed her to do such thing?
But after all. why not? He was her
husband Women like Chickie Belle
we're dangerous. Mercenary, heartless
hateful. Douglas Brookhart Tempe
had given Charity half his fortune just
to keep Doug from getting entangleo
with women of her sort. She cou!u
ruin Doug-hopelessly- his lie
and spoil his happiness.
It would be the most embarrassing
moment of her life. But Doug
needed a model, why shouldn't she be
the one to pose? Billie had assured
her she was as beautiful as any OF the
eirls on the beach for the week END
Hastily Charity stepped out OF ner
clothes and into a brilliant Chinese
robe she and Billie had bought. Her
breath was coming in gasps Wnen sne
looked out and saw Doug standing out-
side her windows, in his hands tne
large fan Chick1e Belle had oeen
posing with
Opening the door and walking OUT
was like plunge into icy waters. buI
she forced her shaking limbs to carry
her. When Doug saw Charity, the rooe
wrapped closely around her, and her
face pink and determined, his first I'M
pulse was to laugh aloud in glee. But
he stifled the desire and stood looking
down at her, keen amusement In ms
brown eyes, Charity caught the look
and knew he was laughing inside: But
she said boldly, Here's your model"
Doug shook his head wonderingly.
"You-don't mean to tell me, Charlty
Jones, that you're going to stano out
here on this balcony with nothing oe-
tween you and the elements nut a
feather FAM"
Give me the fan - and turn your
back" Charity said firmly.
Doug handed it to her with mock
ing little bow He was glad for the
opportunity to turn his back and grin;
The conceit of her-thinking she had
the figure of a model. In few seconds
Charity said timidly, "Okay."
He turned-and stood speechless-n
eyes widening. Charity wished the
penthouse would fall down upon her
bold, brazen head. But she controlled
the legs that had turned to water under
he and stared back at him.
Doug sat down beside his easel the
hands that held his brush trembling:
What have you done-to yoursel1?