The Washington times., 1934-12-22

pocket, rustling as he drew his
breath. Sharlene'S warm hand on
his heart!
It was quite dark when Julie
came back with two tall candles
lighted and put them on the re-
fectory table. She fingered, placing
them carefully. She knew that
she was very effective, black and
white. in the candlelight. She
hoped that Stuart-even the artist
Stuart-would notice her.
But the long figure on the
couch did not stir. Julie clattered
the dishes with unnecessary vigor.
II got q call from Bobby Moore
at the studio today" she told
Stuart when they were seated at
the table with the casserole Of
macaroni and cheese between
them.
"YeS?" he murmured politely.
HE has promised me a bit"
She waited, hoping against hope
that he would evince some inter-
est at that name. Finally she
had to go on, making herself
painstakingly clear: You know,
Bobby has always been that way
about me. He'd get me lots Of
parts-if I'd let him."
An Offer
There was no answer from the
man across the candles, but she
saw with chagrln that his eyes
were warm and smiling, absently,
as he ate his dinner. She knew
he had not heard one word she
had said.
Listen. Stuart" He gave her
his attention. II told Bobby I'd
take the part tomorrow, unless
you needed me-"
"No-certainly-go ahead, Julie.
I'm keen to finish this thing I'm
working on. I won't use you, un-
til I'm driven to do that soap 'ad'
for some cash."
"Well, If this bit should happen
to turn out to be a part and
lasted a week." she paused to
smile coquettishly at him, you
wouldn't need to do the ad."
He was puzzled. why, what
difference would that maker"
WED have money to eat on
for"
Good Lord, what an idea!
When have I ever let you sup
port me?"
But, stuart-you're always
paying for me-"
"You get your wages for model
ing-and little enough at that"
STUART" she broke in with sud
den intensity. I'D like to share
everything I have with you'll"
Thanks" he said a little drily.
"But I'll Scrape along. And I've
told you repeatedly that I don't
want you to lose any tine or
chance to get ahead in your own
profession by working for me-"
She Slumped in her chair,
crumbling up a piece Of bread, and
studied him from under sooty
laShes. He had retreated again to
that far land of dreams where
she could not follow.
"She'S been gone a year, hasn't
SheP" she observed at last in a
small voice.
Eighteen months" he an.
swered instantly. out of his
dreams.
"1s She-so beautiful, as they
Say?" wistfully.
80 beautiful" he answered,
his eyes like cleaning sapphireS.
Did you ever paint her?"
''No-juSt sketches"
She knew.
She had found the portfolio of
sketches locked in his trunk.
Nothing Of his had remained. very
long locked away from her in the
10 months of their aSSocia ton.
But she had never mentioned the
Sharlene Standring sketches to
him. She had been afraid to
bring the glamorous creature to
his mind. It was enough to bear
the way he acted when Shar'
lene'S infrequent letters came
from the worlds Fairgrounds. He
was exalted into some high
heaven from which Julie was ex.
cluded. He was not aware for
days that Julie even existed.
Let's see the sketches, Stuart" "
Sudden Rage
He heSitated. Then he went to
his room and got them from his
trunk. He put on the electric
lights and stood the sketches on
the edge Of the dark wainscoting
all around the room. The place
was suddenly obSeSsed with Shar.
lene Standring. She laughed, she
glowed, she triumphed, she flirted
from everywhere. Chestnut hair
with tintS Of gold, warm brown
eyes. smiling mouth-Smiling-
smiling. Julie In sudden rage
wanted to strike her hand across
that smiling mouth.
What q figure the woman had!
Tall, longlimhed, free, under those
extensively simple clothes. Leave
1t to Stuart to draw her in profile
with the free swing Of her body
forward, accenting the stunning
line Of the torso down to the long
delicately rounded legs. Perfect!
Julie remembered bitterly that
Stuart had always Grabbed at heI
for her own too-voluptuouS figure
:. too large here. too small
there. pretty, piquant, perhaps
BUT. not genuinely beautiful.
cite mt T.iohtIJ Iu1ie cried an