Evening star., 1936-06-05

DScIlCu GO IldNC pl1lllCu oOOAJ "a
the opening of Rainbow Over Broad
way" to the young unknown from
Kansas who had come to town and
shown the hardened sophisticates
something new in the art of dancing
Shell chuckled when he saw that
even the most cynical of them had
swallowed his carefully woven tale
hook, line and sinker. He knew the
woman feature writer's would soon
descend in a drove for special stories
and he was prepared for them, too.
In spite Of the thin ice upon which
they were skating, the press agent
had never felt more elated.
It was in such a mood that he
rushed back to the apartment to see
Patience, in the middle of the after
noon. She was on the floor sur
rounded by newspapers, clippings,
everything she could find about Jan.
"Didn't I tell you?" Shell swept
her of the rug and danced her around
the room You'll soon be buying
paste by the wholesale, and clipping
books by the gross. This calls for a
have supper after the show tonight,
and go to a night club. You're a
swell dancer"
Patience stopped short and pushed
him away.
Hey, let me catch my breath" :"
She Topped into chair. Now what
are you talking about?"
IT said" he explained carefully,
''you and Just We two together
are going to celebrate tonight. We
can't take chance on taking Jan.
Besides, she'll be too tired. We're
going to doll all up and go stepping.
A taste of the bright lights will do
us both good You gals have reform
ed me too completely. I haven't had
a date in weeks. And you're my date
for tonight"
Patience saw that he was serious.
What would he think, she wondered,
If she told him he was the first man
who had ever asked to take her out.
She shook her head, feeling suddenly
old and left out of everything.
"Oh, no." she said wistfully. Lets
Just have supper here with Jan, and
dance to the radio. lid feel foolish
in a night club"
Shell sat down, eyeing her almost
angrily.
80 that's the way you feel about
yourself! You're the smartest woman,
in some ways, I've ever known. How
could YOU be so dumb in others"
Patience was astounded at his man
ner. She opened her mouth to speak
but he interrupted.
ct hope you can take it, Patience.
Because I'm going to give it to you
straight from the shoulders. You're
a darn fool! Look at you! If you
never speak to me again, I'm going
to get this load OF my chest.
Its a crime for a woman who
could hold her own in any crowd
to be as careless of her personal ap-
pearance as you are. You're neat
and clean to the point Of being pain
fully old maidish. But it takes more
than soap and water to do justice to
woman. How old are you?"
She answered like stunned child:
'Th-thirty."
"Holy cow!" Shell exploded. look
ing at her with a new interest.
you're four years younger than am
and you make yourself look nearly
90. Your long hair in strings. No
makeup. That matronly blue dress
you're wearing Don't you know a
woman with green eyes should never
wear anything but a dark shade Of
blue? You must know something
about clothes. Jan always looks okay
for a girl of her age, and you select
her things, she told me-"
He stopped when he saw tears
standing in Patiences eyes.
I'm a brute" He went over and
sat on the floor beside her chair, like
a small boy begging forgiveness. I've
hurt you, and it's really none of my
business. But you're such a swell
guy, Patience, and I like you"
Patience took a handkerchief from
her pocket and covered her eyes. In
a moment her shoulders were shaking.
Shell looked at her helplessly. He
had expected anger, but not tears.
Please" he said you make me
feel like two cents"
She blew her nose and dried her
eyes.
"Th-that's all right" she quay
cred. II don't blame you. I know
you mean to be kind. But what's the
use of trying to doll yourself up when
you're so h-homely? I've never had
any looks to start with, so why should
try now to be"
Come in here to the mirror"
Shell looked amused and got up. "I'd
like to introduce you to yourself"
When she hesitated, he pulled her
to her feet and led her to the full
length mirror in the bathroom door.
She covered her face with her hands:
"Oh, I'm sight from cryingl"
Battle your face in cold water and
comb your hair" he commanded ten
derly. 'I'll wait out here. I want
to show you yourself as you really
are. Forget that I'm fresh man who
ought to be minding his own busi-
ness. This is serious"
Patience closed the door and lean
ed against it. Her heart was pound
ing until she thought he must hear It,
Shell had asked her for a date! And
he thought she wasn't ugly. Somehow
she couldn't doubt his sincerity, al
though the fact that there was any,
thing attractive about her seemed
entirely impossible.
Possibly he pitied her. But that
thought stabbed her like knife and
she thrust it aside and plunged her
face into cold water and Strengthened
her rumpled hair.
When she opened the bath room
door she had gained control Of her
self. Her sense Of hllmor had come
10 the rescue.
"Well?" she looked embarrassed.
''Tell me the worst"
He stood studying her carefully for
moment.