Evening star., 1935-07-16
INSTALLNIENT XII.

Ole0Qllg WIFI Tic lazy IlPPtC
of the wavelets beneath; the tinted
lights throwing spots Of color upon the
FURNISHED floor; the quickening gayety
of the scene-all this were lost on
Paul He wondered, in the back Of his
mind. what Ina was doing; if she, too,
had the same feeling of incomplete
ness that he was unable to repress.
He bent his head and sacrificed note
for a glance at his wrist watch. Ten
fifty. She would be at home, now,
unless she had gone somewhere with
Sue If she had, he wondered where. |
If that chiseler of a Gresham-he
shook the picture out of his mind i'm
patiently. Not Ina. He concentrated
upon his return on Monday, and was
conscious of a thrilling eXaltation at
the thought Of seeing her agaln-of
holding her in his arms.
The band blared loudly in change
of key, then hushed. Paul stood in its
forefront and, aiming his megaphone
in a general outward direction, sang
feelingly of moonlight, love and-you.
During an intermission, Paul leaned
on the railing of the balcony and
stared ref1ectively out over the lake.
He was suddenly aware of some one
beside him and turned to view the
red-headed girl Of the hotel lobby.
She leaned lightly next him, elbows on
the rail- her shoulder almost touching
his own.
Hello" she said muSically.
He looked at her; her eyes we're
blue-green and very frank. The bril-
liant moonlight etched her features
distinctly, but held no terrors for her.
The effect was startling.
Hello" he said.
Lovely" she remarked, indicating |
the moonlight splendor before them.
Very" he commented, stin looking
at her.
do you like red-headed girls?" she
asked, Unexpectedly, eyes still on the
opposite shoreline.
He was placed on the defensive.
''why do you ask, may ask?" he
inquired.
Certainly"
"Certainly-?"
Certainly, you may ask?"
"Oh. Then must ask-why do you |
ask, may aSk?"
ooh" she affected yawn. why
do you ask?"
Checkmate. They both resisted an
impulse to laugh, eyes on the placid
expanse of the lake in front of them
Paul felt faint stirring within him.
Look" she ordered suddenly, point
ing along the lake front, above the
dance pavilion "See that motor boat
down there. The green and white
one?"
He followed her finger. "Oh, yes"
he answered. "Is the feet in?"
That's my boat" she told him.
'The Aspirin"
"Yours?" he murmured. Excuse
me while I step down to the gundeck
and touch off a salute Of q guns"
She moved slightly until her shoul-
der touched his arm. "n take you
riding, after the dance, will you sing
for me?" she asked.
Paul had not expected so concrete
O termination to their bantering. His
cautiousneSs returned in some small
degree.
Cant sing after hours" he in
formed her. I'm union"
"Oh, those federations," she COM
planned. "All right, we'll Just anchor
outside the three-mile limit and
whistle. Is it a go?"
He shook his head sadly. "You
sailor women" he sighed. "You have
q man in every port"
ha ruoifnd arroYcd O ghnp
meditatively on the lower edge of the
railing and seemed to deliberate.
The slender thread of constancy that
ran through his makeup held.
Perhaps I shouldn't" he said,
truthfully. I'm married"
"Oh, goodyI" she rejoiced.
He ignored her exclamation of ap-
proval Besides" he objected, I'm
always busy after we're through play
ing. Assistant director, y'see, and al
ways have to check up Oh"
'Listeh," she interrupted. do you
want to 60 out on the lake with me,
or not? Yes or no. Let's make up
your mind"
She poised before him, radiantly
alive, youthfully compelling in the
lake breeze that outlined her slen-
der seductiveness and tugged at her
hair, crown of FURNISHED copper in
the bright moonlight. She came very
close to him.
Don't you want to go with me?"
abe asked, frankly. Her eyes were
challenging. Suddenly she smiled
and Paul was again irresistibly drawn
by the red lips SO obviously within
reach. His good resolutions weakened
and words of acquiescence rushed to
the end If his tongue
They were stopped by the passing
of group of girls, who addressed
his companion familiarly. Paul stared
at her, his expression altered.
"Is-is that your name?" he stan-
mered.
Tina Grant" she completed it for
him. Nov, shall I see you after
the dance?"
He recoiled as If he had seen
ghost. "No," he blurted. mo. II
guess not. Thanks, anyway"
She regarded him coolly for few
moments, then shrugged her shoulders
and turned away. Her departing back
was decidedly frigid and her car
riage was very erect.