Evening star., 1936-01-12
THIS WEEK

he IOOkeO uOWfl dL neT. f1eT ndIlQ SllCl up
along his lapel caressingly, an inviting
look in her eyes. Defantly, he kissed her up
turned mouth. Then stared challengngly at
Mary But she sat quietly smoking cigarette,
talking with Jean.
The band struck up again and this time
toward the dance floor
Bruce and Mary sat eyeing each other
coldly. questioningly, across the small table,
Mary still smoking her cigarette Bruce lit
cigar noisily. WELL" he said finally, II
think this calls for an explanation"
Mary fiicked the ash off her cigarette.
Bruce noticed the way the soft lights caught
her blonde hair and made it glimmer. YES"
she said, Il think it does. Suppose you start"
81? Why I'd never have picked this girl
up if you hadn't run offthe way you did.
Mrs. Montgomery Mrs. Montgomery. my
hat! And such an imbecile you chose to make
fool of yourself with, sleek-haired, pasty-
faced gigolo. Bahv'
Mary shrugged. when in Rome -"
Bruce banged his fist on the table But
you're woman, wife. You have no right
to be running around loose like this. Damn it
all, should think you'd see that"
"And why should man, husband, be
allowed to run around, but not a woman? Is
there law?"
mot written law But an unwitten one.
You know damn well it s not done. You know
it as we'll as |. Every woman knows it. It's
come down from the ages. 1t s matter of
convention. tradition"
THAT went out with rats and bustles. my
dear"
Its never gone out i; never will"
Sheleaned toward him, snuffed the cigarette
out in the already overflowing tray. MOI"
NO." he thundered with men it's diff
ferent. Always has been different, always
will be-"
She shrugged. you're dated"
.'Men have to get around, tell you They
hare to take women out To luncheons. din
ners. suppers even. It's a part of their busi-
ness"
Nina is - business?'
.''Never mind that, Bruce retorted angrily.
II won't have it, that g all. Do you hear me,
l won't have it! If that oily-lookng mug
makes pass at you there1l be riot"
Really, Bruce, you might lower your
voice; everyone is staring"
LET 'em stare" he said sullenly.
Nina and Jean returned to the table and
the indefatigable Nina again took Bruce off
with her. He glanced back over his shoulder
at Mary as Nina led him away. She was not
looking after him, but talking in low tones
with Jean, their heads very close together.
Had she actually fallen for that gigolo? Ger
tainly he was goodlooking And he had a
way. Maybe there was something in that
phrase authors used about women being
swept off their feet.
As they danced Nina said: I'VE will go
after this, yes?"
Bruce nodded. dumbly. She pressed closer
against him, and sighed.
Finally they returned to their table. Jean
and Mary we're not there. They waited.
Jean and Mary did not appear. The people
who had been dancing had all returned to
their tables The orchestra was strolling off
for brief respite. Bruce fdgeted, grew warm
around the collar; tried to hide his anxiety.
Then the waiter was before him; he explained
that the other gentleman had paid the check
and had left the premises with Madame.
Bruce made face and the little waiter
scured for cover. Nina asked "And what is
the matter, Monsieur Bruce? Are you not
glad they have gomez"
Ill .,bx