Evening star., 1936-04-13

belong 10 rellglOn, or nation, OF
club, keep its laws. If you don't, why
then use your own judgment and in
telligence."
But wouldn't it be rather a funny
world if every one did exactly as he
nked?" the girl presently submitted
doubtfully.
Its a darned funny world now,
Tam"
Yes. but now suppose-suppose
that Joe gets tired of Persis before she
does of him, suppose he meets still
another lovely woman, then where Is
she?" Tamara tumbled the hot soft
fold of the eggs upon the two waiting
plates, sat down opposite Mayne and
faced him appealingly.
Where is she anyway? Certainly
10 woman of any character wants to
hold a man just because she has a
legal right to support from him?"
We'll, no." the girl admitted un-
willingly.
You see? No. Tam" Mayne pur-
sued his point. The laws were made
to protect property in the beginning,
and afterward narrow little jealous
women kept them going. But if wom-
en- really saw it straight. marriage is
the real unfairness." he said. "A
woman like PerSis ought always to be
free to come and go just as she
chooses"
Tamara was staring at him thought
fully,
"Mayne, are you in love with Per-
sis?"
Am I? Hear herr' he said, laugh
ing We'll, yes, in a way. I am. F"
Mayne said more seriously, and in a
way I'm not. I think I've always ad-
mired her terribly without ever think
ing that it meant anything to me.
She isn't" he ended smilingly, with a
look straight into Tamara's eyes
"she isn't my type. My type is thin
ner and taller and a little rounded,
with its hair dangling into its blue
eyes and a sort of square mulish
mouth"
II see," Tamara said, dimpling. She
wondered afterward what further
breath taking thing Mayne might
have said if her mother had not at
that moment chanced to come in.
where's Coral?" she asked.
II think she and Houston have
made it up again." Tamara said. She
put a smoking cup of black coffee at
her mothers elbow.
II hope she doesn't have anything
more to do with that fellow" Mrs.
Todhunter said, slipping. "Where've
you two been?"
I'VE had dinner at the Holloways." "
Tamara answered And it all came
back to her, still surprising, but some
how softened-not SO shocking any
more 1t seemed to her now that she
must always have known that Persis
and Joe were not married; everything
that had ever vaguely puzzled her in
their relationship was explained.
Mayne looked at her interestedly.
Willette had 6one to bed, the little
gray cat was lying sphinx-fashion on
the table, the last of the eggs were
eaten and the coffee was drunk, and
still he and Tamara were sitting on,
talking inexhaustibly.
"Legitimized by what, Tam?" Mayne
asked, with his keen look.
well, by-oh, listen, Mayne," J"
Tamara said, laughing. I'VE under
stand each other! Let's not be idiots"
mo, but it really puzzles me.
Haven't we all long ago decided"
Mayne said, that individuality ought
to be the important thing? Person
ality-there isn't anything else in the
world. Whether it's colored singer,
or a Spanish dancer, or person like
Persis who simply commands-gets
every one by the simple fact of being
Persis. What else counts? What else
Is there? That you could like her
her better person be-
she were living all by herself and
holding Joe off-well, it's funny"
I'll tell you what you are, Mayne.
You're the devils advocate"
mo, I'm not at all. I just hate to
have you influenced by these prigs
who don't really know anything about
life, Tam. You've got magnificent
career ahead of you, and you mustn't
spoil it by looking at people and Won
dering If they go to church and If
they're really married"
I'm sorry seemed to criticize Per-
sis," Tam said suddenly. when the
time came for him to go. Mayne
stood looking down upon her in the
center of the kitchen; he smiled.
You're an endearing mouse" he
said Are you glad I'm home again?"
"Glad!"
"You know" he said. gently shaking
her back and forth with grip of his
big hands on her shoulders, II didn't
want to fall in love with you"
why not, Mayne?" she breathed
rather than asked.
"Oh, every reason"
What harm does t do to like me?"
Tam murmured, her blue eyes raised
to his, his arm loosely about her.
Lots of harm"
How often have you been in love,
How often have you liked
some one-tremendously?"
"Oh, from the beginning, guess,
mildly. smiling and continuing gently
10 rock her to and fro. "You like me.
100, don't you, Tam?" he asked in
voice that was about absent minded.
TOO much!" she said.
"Too much, seh? How long have you
nown that?"
The little ugly kitchen was heaven.
Life was heaven.
"Oh, from the beginning, I guess.
Mayne."
From the beginning" He looked
lown at her for long minute, think
ng she suspected of something she