Evening star., 1934-07-22

felt certain, because the polka dotted
silk tied in a big knot on the shoulder
of her dress burst into bow so fam
bcyant that one end of it tickled Margery's
dimpled chin while the other emphasized the
curve of her slender young waist. 1t was
Margery knew it beyond the shadow of
Aoubt-it was Peter.
Peter did that to people. Peter caused busy
men to stop wolflng DOWN lunch in order to
chat for a moment. Peter could make any
waitress hurry with an order.
I'm accustomed to seeing all kinds offering
alteration" she told Peter, when they finally
sat down at a little table in the restaurant
near Market street, "but do you mind telling
me who that particular she is? Admittedly
che snappiest person here; but, just who is
she? I thought she was going to leap straight
in your arms. Fortunately she spied me before
she leaped. Aren't you grateful to me for
saving you embarrassment, Peter? I'm your
safety valve, darling; your stalwart bulwark;
your ever-present excuse for holding OH world
of enraptured females"
"Stalwart?" teaSed Peter grinning at her
over the top of menu card "As dainty as a
six weeks kitten, If you like, but certainly no
more stalwart. And if any one heard you going
like this. they would say either you were
bit high. I a blithering idiot!"
Nothing of the sort" Margery objected
solemnly. Anybody listening in would say,
THAT young woman knows her stuff. She
realizes she's married to a gent overcharged
with it-and she's smart enough never to let
herself forget that she's his senior"
by some months only" Peter corrected with
Rrathful dignity He fumbled with pencil and
paper. What do you say to cracked crab first,
followed by cold chicken and plain lettuce
salad? How about that combination for
Strengthening the old bulwarks?"
'Psrfectl" Margery agreed, betraying the
God-given enthusiasm of healthy appetite.
CHE gazed a. Peter admiringly while he
- wrote; the blond curls cropped close to
his well-Shaped head: the sunburned eye
brows that almost met over his short. straight
nose; the firm lips, quick to part in
daughter You're simply perfect, Peter Tay-
aor," Margery admitted signing, whether
you're ordering meals arguing case in
court or, Or"
"Or making love to you when the days all
Hone?" Peter asked, whimsically.
"or making love to you when the days all
Done" Margery echoed dreamily. When you
stop loving me, Peter I shall want to die III
20 away quietly all by myself, and end life in
q pile of Autumn leaves like some wounded,
furry wood thing"
Waiter" Peter called. Bring two Man
hattans quick as you can make it" He studied
Margery concernedly, Why so blue?" he
asked.
That girl" groaned Margery. There are
Zines when feel positively old-and that girl
was so horribly young"
Tommyrot," growled Peter You're pref
1diced Besides, you hardly be called de-
crepit at 27, and she's no child. Shes all
bf %"
How do you know how old she is?" Margery
demanded, eyeing Peter relentlessly.
81. Sc -.
Eessed, flushing, that girls client of mine.
Bier name is Mrs Prescott Thurston, and
she came to me with letters from New York,
From Black & Black. She asked me to
kheck over a lease on a house in Burlingame
which she is thinking of renting for the
BRinter."
! Peter" said Margery, reaching for the big
flaw of a crab, and cracking it with meticulous
hare you mustn't misunderstood me. II
Mere jealous wife instead of a sympathetic
one, I'D be tearing my hair out in gobs every
day of my life But I'm not jealous. I'm only
Erightfully loving Now don't laugh. darling
Hou know how much care. I care much
khat-"
h "YeS2" prompted Peter, hopefully.
that" said Margery, putting down the
Flaw of her crab, and gazing at Peter across
khe white cloth the table. that I don't
want anything ever TO be any less than what
heVe had"
! But Why should 1t be?" Peter inquired,
Birth masculine practicality,
Things happen" Margery announced cryp-
Gcslly. "One of these days you're simply
bound TO fan for some young thing"
A -HonSense" Peter exploded.
Before you do" Margery went on i'm
perturbably Il want you TO promise me some
thing. I want you to promise me that when
6ou get around TO picking out your second wife
youn consult first. Otherwise you might
make an awful mistake. Think how color
hhnd you are, Peter. If it weren't for me you'd