Evening star., 1935-07-23
INSTALLMENT XIX.

Ddll TOOIIl uOWuIOWLl, pldyAAAS IA SoAA
junction with Phil Spitalnys famed
combination, secured as an intro
ductory attraction. The great ball
room, beautifully redecorated for the
Winter season, was thronged on the
opening night.
Paul danced with Ina, when she
arrived at II o'clock. He was en-
thusiastic. Listen to that band
work, Honey" he exclaimed, his eyes
on the Spitalny- filled stage, where
"one of the best" was living up to its
reputation with a vengeance. That's
what call execution! Smooth as vel
vet! Some day I'm going to have a
band like that"
She glanced up at him. He was
excited, profoundly stirred. Some
day-youU have everything you want
Paul" she answered, almost WlStfully'
But he was thinking only OF the Or
chestra before them.
DO you think you'll want me
them" she persisted, her voice mul1leo
against his shoulder. Paul, catching
her last words, looked at her ques-
tionirgly. What did you say
Honey?" he inquired.
She was somewhat abashed, btt
repeated her question. when you
have a band like that, and-every-
thing, will you want me, too?" sne
said, soberly.
He shook her gently. you know
better than that" he admonished. III
I didn't have you, wouldn't have
ANYTHING. I wouldn't want anything
Now, aren't you sorry?"
Ina, impelled by sudden inetaole
longing within her, the mounting
doubts that had laShed her for weeks
resolved on bold stroke.
Paul" she said; tonight, when
we go home, will you tell me-?"
He interrupted her by suddenly
stopping in his tracks. They were
near the end of the floor and he hac
had a glimpse of party just entering
from the foyer. The third woman was
Jessie Whitewood, alluring, familiar
Lets go upstairs, Honey" he sug-
pested, hurriedly. I'VE can talk tnere
and want to tell you about Spitalny
looking over some of my arrange
mentS."
Ina, slightly puzzled at his abrupt
proposal, heSitated a moment, tnen
turned beside him through the crowd
AS they crossed toward the stairway
the group in the cleared pathway OF
the entrance was plainly visible. Pau
was studiedly unobservant, but Ina
recognized Jessie instantly, and her
appraisal of the situation was swift.
The reaction was like dash OF ICY
water. In the booth on the mezzanlne
floor, she found that she could not
reopen the subject on which she had
so hopefully embarked few minutes
before. The man opposite her, who
discoursed cheerfully upon new goals
set in his profession; of triumphs to
be shared; who called her intimate,
endearing names and held her hand
openly over the table. his eyes at
tractively bright in the glow OF the
f1ame-tinted bracket lamp, suddenly
seemed strange to her, his words
empty, his resolutions mere brag-
gadoccio.
Carols return was not without its
effect. Her inherent Highland Shrewd-
ness screamed for probing to the
core Of PaNl's indictment, and her
affection for Ina rendered her over
jealous in her Self-imposed duty. She
overlooked no opportunity for obser-
vation of the suspect. and therefore
was often at the apartment, fire.
uuently remaining until Paul got
home from the Viennese; whereupon
she would note time of arrival, in
spect carefully for signs of alcoholic
content, and record his general ap-
pearance upon her elastic memory
for future dissection. Ina's former
roommate regarded him with frank
suspicion and made it plain that he
was tolerated only as the husband Of
her friend, a wolf in wooly raiment.
She made several attempts to enlist
Bud and Sue as agents of liaiSon, but
Sue, feeling that her confidence was
being misused, politely declined, and
the straightforward Bud cody in
formed her that it was none of my
butt-in."
Paul, soon realizing the trend of
things, abandoned all efforts to meet
her upon friendly ground, and reaped
much satisfaction in enlarging upon
her condemnation, in shocking her
whenever possible.
Ina was torn between husband and
friend, uncertain, recognizing Carols
suspicious, flercely denying them to
herself, yet fearing their ultimate
confirmation; alternately elated and
discouraged, but hoping, always hop
ing.
Carols return held another signifi-
canoe for Paul. It represented the
end of the armistice signed with
Jessie on the pier at Lake Taneycomo.
Although keenly cognizant of that
fact, he waited, biding his time, forti-
flying himself with a dogged dismissal
of the whole affair as unbelievable, a
bad dream, to be baniShed at the last
moment.
Jessie had been as good as her
word. In their few chance meetings,
at the park, or later around the aisles
of the VienneSe, she had made no
allusion to the truce In effect, nor
had she telephoned him at any time.
He began to feel almost secure.
Then one evening in October, an
attendant at the Viennese handed
him a folded note. 1t was brief, con-
else. so the girl friend is back from
California" The signature was ~
W.-corner booth"
At the next intermission, Paul
crossed the room and threaded his
way toward the stairs. He paused for
a moment at the bottom and appeared
to deliberate, hand on the rail, then
slowly mounted the steps. Jessie,