The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-07-01

sweet odor of those flowers was
to recall this scene to Elizabeth.
The waiter poured the cham
payne and went away. Elizabeth
took a spray Of freeSia from the
vase, brushing it across her lips.
Gerald leaned towards her, cap
tured the hand that held the
blossom. He said, Elizabeth,
don't you realize I'm falling more
and more in love with you?
What are we going to do about
it?"
Gerald, I see stars. Millions
of them. Look, over the ocean.
D'you think they're windows with
the angels looking down on us
tonight? I think So"
There were tears in her eyes
as she gazed up at the dark blue
canopy overhead. The greatest
thing in tie world had happened
to her. She had fallen in love, and
her love was reciprocated.
Had she looked at him at that
moment, she would have seen a
queer, strained look on his face.
He managed a shaky laugh.
such flights of fancy! Such a
romantic little girl, isn't she?"
Don't laugh at me, Gerald.
Don't you understand this is the
greatest, the only thing that has
ever happened to me?"
I'm glad. But why the tears?
Don't leC'S make a tragedy Of it."
She turned eyes at him that
were like 5lueShellS under water.
She whispered chokily: TITS be-
cause I'm so terribly happy"
He pushed the glass Of cham
payne towards her. Drink this
and let me see you laughing again,
darling"
The bubbles foamed up from the
hollow stem, breaking on the
golden surface.
Elizabeth drew a long breath.
But I don't need champagne,
Gerald. Everything's singing and
bubbling inside me-"
He picked up his glass. His
eyes drew her. Over its frosty
rim he smiled. How old are you,
Elizabeth?'
"I'm-Uwenty."
81 drink to the fountain Of
youth"
She chided: You aren't so old
yourself. How old are you, Ger
aldo"
Beyond the age of telling. Old
enough to be your"
"Grandfa ther! Methusaleh!"
They both laughed. His eyes
were hot and misty. He gripped
her hand. He said huskily: Its
incredible. Elizabeth, that you
should love meme"
Time flew. One hour. Dinner
was over. Two hours. The moon
came up over the Pacific, making
the stars fade. Three. A whole
lifetime to be talked over.
They spoke mostly about them
selves, though it was Elizabeth
who told most. She wanted to
pour herself out for this man, to
let him know all her hopes and
dreams and Utmost fancies.
Because he wanted her to, she
drank champagne. A. fresh bottle
was opened.
They laughed a great deal. His
eyes Toasted on her beauty. It
was as if for years he had been
starved of love and laughter and
sweetness.
Midnight. The after-theater
crowd began to arrive. Elizabeth
dare not let her mind turn to. 60
ing home. She had fatty dis
obeyed her step-father. Not that
that mattered with this shiny
feeling in her heart. Gerald would
stand by her. Their love would
face anything.
Suddenly there was a swirl Of
scarlet draperies alongside their
table, the Whit of an expensive
perfume, and high girlish voice.
why, of all things! Elizabeth
Harmon!"
Gerald politely rose and re-
manned standing.
Hello, Nancy" Elizabeth
greeted her friend. She had
known Nancy for years, and liked
her, although her sudden appear
ance at the moment was not en-
tirely suspicious. She presented
Gerald to Nancy, and the girl in
turn introduced her escort to
Gerald. Elizabeth, it appeared,
already knew him. They shook
hands cordially.
Ito Be COntinued)