Evening star., 1935-07-15

pleness and the instructive rhythm
of long practice, and they were ad-
mirably suited, almost picturesque in
their contrast of colortne, the blond
head very close to the dark one.
Back at their table. the Buntons
week end excursion to the Ozarks al
ready thoroughly discussed several
times, was again brought up. Paul
and Ina were somewhat reticent. Four
days was a long time. Bud bantered
them on their GUINNESS over the pros
pect, but Sue was sympathetic. Dur
ing the ensuing raillery, perfection in
young mems hot-weather wear pa,ls ed
beside the table. 1t was Mr.. Gresham,
encountered at Winnwood Beach.
This is luckl" he assured them.
with the well-remembered flash of
spotless incisors. Mrs. Machanello,
you're wonderful this evening. I hope
you remember me. Victor Gresham.
you know"
He paused and beamed expectantly.
Paul surveyed him in q manner total
ly lacking warmth. "Oh, yes" he
acknowledged, coolly, before Ina could
speak Did you say luck?"
Ina's eyes reproached him. She
greeted the slightly reddening Mr..
Gresham cordially, and introduced
him to the others
Wont you join us?" she asked,
politely.
"Yeah-drag up a chair, Grcsh.
OIL boy. and have a drink invited
the hospitable Bud. He beckoned q
waiter.
smile accepted eagerly. He was
charmed. He admitted that mucE.
He sat between Sue and Ina and
made voluble conversation. and al
| though his remarks were inclusive of
them all. his glance invariably rested
upon Ina as If seeking her approval
Of his every utterance. Three of them,
the exception being left to the m
! agination, led him to talk of himself
and soon found that they had touched
upon a favorite topic. He was N an
insurance office. Equitable Life. Do
ing marvelously-a managership
loomed. He was graduate OF North
western. A letter man. A Sigma Nu.
A nephew of F. A. Gresham. the pack
ing baron. whose influence he had dis
pensed with. preferring to make his
own way He loved music, dancing,
books billiards, swimming. He toyed
with piano and pipe organ. not Pro-
fessionally, of course. Finally he
asked:
Would it be trespassing to ask for
a dance?" His glance roamed Nn-
certainly between Paul and Ina. She
! hesitated a second, then rose to her
feet.
"Of course not" she said, eveEly,
almost perfunctorily.
| Paul looked after them as they
threaded their way through the tables
toward the dance floor. His lips
moved abstractedly.
What did you say?" murmured Sue.
leaning toward him. her eyes amused,
hand cupped exaggeratedly blind
| her ear.
Damned hitch-hiker," repeated MT.
| Machanello.
| On the floor, Ina was pressed closely
against the Gresham shirs-front and
piloted, none TO dexterouslY, over the
CLASSY surface. Mr.. Gresham danced
as if his shoes hurt him, but he
seemed enthralled withal, and the
hand that held hers alternately tight
ened and relaxed as If seeking to elicit
an answering pressure. Once they
collided with another couple and
in the resultant shock. his cheek
brushed hers. He trembled excitedly
and seemed laboring under the stress
of thoughts. unexpressed.
After some moments of silence he
said suddenly. II hear that Bunton's
band is playing the week end at
some resort in the Ozarks"
Yes" Ina replied. AT Taneycomo
Beach. Its"
Would you be surprised" he went
on. IF asked you a question? A
very important question:"
"Why-no." said Ina. What is it?"
welfare you going with the Or
chestra?"
mo, I'm working, you know
"I'll be here" he told her. Does
that mean anything to you? Why
can't I call you up Friday or Sat,lr-
day. Youre-youre wonderful! I've
never known a girl like you. It's
really life and death with me. Won't
you do it?"
Ina regarded him unperturbedly. as
though hiG outburst had been but the
merest commonplace. Then she held
up her hand. The corners of her
red mouth curved enticingly.
Have you noticed my ring Mr.
Gresham?" she asked, sweetly. Don't
you think the design Is rather un-
usual?"
On Federal Highway Il, stretching
| longitudinally through Western Mis-
souri,, long blue bus bowled south
ward. A large, colorful poster on the
rear displayed formally clad dancing
couples and announced Babe Bunton
and His Trocadero Orchestra-Kansas
City" in striking lettering. Stretched
over the baggage rack atop the bus
a worn tarpaulin did its best to cover
a miscellaneous array of instrument
cases. piled high and lashed to the
railing with many ropes. Within, the
personnel of the band, roll call COM
plete, lounging at ease, or as near
that state as was possible with the
RENOVIZE x.,,r h,n.
Hen''i'''' that i A not commonplace
EREDT VIC