Evening star., 1936-06-28
Mosozine Section


Margaret Beach"
Mrs. Beach was an angel! She must
be told the truth about John Trench.
Suddenly Jane remembered that her
own telephone was not listed. Her new
fiance would have no idea where to
find her. Probably the best way out
of an awkward situation. Newspapers
had short memories and the whole
episode would be forgotten if she lay
low for few days.
She wandered around the little
apartment, Strengthening etchings
that didn't need Strengthening. She
sorted out the trifies she had bought
as gifts for friends. tying them with
gay cord. Then she had leisurely tub.
She saw that it was only one o'clock.
She flung herself on the bed and
tried to sleep She was wondering if
Alan would call her soon when the
telephone rang. But it was not Alan's
voice. Its timbre evoked a stir OF
pleasant memories. Jane felt she had
not recognized before what very nice
voice it was.
Sherlock had nothing on you," she
told John.
1t was simple. he said. He had
called her employer, Mrs. Beach. and
obtained James address.
He then suggested that they have
dinner at Voisin's. Jane said it was
impossible, and then couldn't think of
a single reason why John said he'd
call for her at seven. Jane said they'd
better drop the whole matter and not
meet again. John said she'd got en-
gagged to him and she'd have to stay
engaged for a decent length of time.
Jane inquired what was decent
length of time for bogus engagement,
and John said that could be discussed
at dinner. Then he rang off.
Jane sat very still, thinking about
John Trench. A strange man. she
decided, to be set on making monkey
of himself for girl he scarcely knew
- and hadn't fallen for. either. Why,
she had clung to him like morning
glory on the top deck, under an
elusive moon, and he had never kissed
her. But she'd never wanted anyone
but Alan to kiss her, so it was just as
well.
She wondered what she would say
when Alan telephoned. She decided
she wasn't capable of coping with him
at the moment and she pulled on her
coat and rushed out of the apartment
to do little marketing.
Later, when Jane had put on her
best evening frock, corsage of gar
denias arrived with card bearing the
single word John" AS she was pin
ming on the flowers, the bell rang
again. John had said seven, and it
lacked fifteen minutes of the hour She
opened her apartment door. Alan
Hillyer stood on the threshold.
"Oh," she gasped, Its you! You
might have telephoned first"
lane, Jane. he said. his hands on
her shoulders. Don't talk like that!
had to see you! And was afraid if !
telephoned you'd put me off"
You wanted to be the first to wish
me WE'LL" said Jane, gathering her
flying wits. That was nice of you"
II came because love you, Jane!
was insane to think l could get on
without you. knew it the moment
you'd sailed. Look here, this Trench
business Il just heard of it it's
ridiculous"
'Ridiculous?" Jane repeated coldly.
"Yes - you don't really know the
man, and you and were brought up
together. You'd make grand wife for
me. Jane, if you'd only try little
harder to be like other girls"
''If you think other girls are so
right, why don't you marry one?"
she suggested dispassionately.
The bell rang again. Because love
YOU" said Alan.