Evening star., 1936-02-02
February 2, 1886

early IN tnelr romance Tor Neal TO
turn promiscuous. All the JOY in the
dance was gone out of Valerie's heart.
She said to Philip: Il think I'll go
home now I'm a working woman.
was up at the screech of dawn this
morning. | have to be up as early
tomorrow. If you don't mind ="
She could not see Neal to tell him
good night, even with a brush of the
eyes. He was in some nook, no doubt,
with Hazel.
On the way home, Philip renewed
his familiar prayers, but Valerie was
too jaded to be tempted She was
thinking of Neal with morbid ten
derness born of a deep love as self
forgetful as his own for her. She re-
minded herself that poor Neal was
already overburdened with an un-
happy mother and a restless sister If
she gave him up. he could become Gift
ford's right hand man and climb to
the riches he deserved. She did not
think much of Hazel as wife for him,
but she herself could never be any
thing but milestone round his dear
neck. Her duty looked clear before her.
1t would be heartbreaking. but it was
the only way left to prove her love.
So the two young fools began duel
Of self-sacrifice and mutual altruism.
There was something silly yet some
thing sublime, too. in their rivalry.
Valerie could not even pretend to flirt
with Philip. She bade him goodbye
with finality that sent him away
from Washington. vowing never to
return.
In the meanwhile Neal was finding
that his little game with Hazel had
complications of its own He had
rival on his hands in the hot young
Argentine. and Hazel was not so easy
to manage as he had expected from the
warmth of her manner in the dance.
For Hazel could not decide whether
Neal Douglas OF Jose Rivadavia
would make the more exciting lover.
They were fascinatingly different.
Neal interested her because he had to
be encouraged and coaxed; Rivadavia
because he had to be repressed She
decided that she would keep them
both on approval and she made en-
gagements with both. revelling in her
indecision.
Neal was still being held prisoner
by her artful devices, while Valerie
was YEARLY making ready for her
lonely bed, and morosely studying her.
self in contrast with Hazel She felt
that long hours and hard work at her
desk had aged her. while Hazel was
fresh and exquisite She bitterly de-
cided to give the poor boy his freedom
the next day at luncheon.
But the next forenoon brought to
her desk hasty little note: Dearest:
My boss has sewed me up with a busi-
ness engagement for luncheon See you
tonight. Neal"
She went out alone, and most for
lOrn. AS she strolled toward cheap
restaurant. she saw Neal escorting
Hazel up the steps of nearby, FASH
ionable hotel. So Hazel Perley was
his business engagement! Valerie had
planned to give Neal up to the girl.
but to have the gift snatched out of
her hand was trifie sickening.
When she returned to her Office, she
was pretty woe-begone. The work be-
fore her compelled her to make several
trips to the fling cabinets in what had
once been a bedroom for the more
important guests. To keep from weep
ing, Valerie was wearing mask of
sardonic gaiety as she went to and fro.
She noted vaguely that she always
caught one of the girl clerks staring
at her. She did not know the girls
name or anything about her. so she
assumed that what looked like bitter
hatred in the strangers great dark
eyes was some other feeling, or at
least not intended for her But it was