Evening star., 1937-05-02
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papement she felt DerfertlV

horrid Tilted was her first thought; but in
spite of the dreadful gone feeling that the
brief paragraph had created in the pit of her
stomach, she knew that that was an exaggera-
ton. No, not Tilted, exactly . but, any
way, she d lost her only beau. And losing ones
beau, on blatantly bright May morning, is
pretty depressing.
With disagreeable accuracy - part of that
same accuracy which made a certain bank
president reiterate that she was the best
damned secretary he'd ever had even if her
looks weren't anything to write home about
- she corrected herself Edward had not been
beau, and you can't lose something you
never had. But he had been the only young
man in her life; he did take her to concert,
occasionally, and once he had brought her
box of candy At which memory, to her in
tense surprise and disgust, Mile burst into
tears.
She was still weeping unrestrainedly. when
there was knock at her door, and before she
could collect herself, or even wipe her eyes,
the door opened - she had left the latch
slipped to admit the waitress, because she
always had breakfast in bed on Sunday morn
ings = and Miss Jean Hillyer came in.
Say, could you lend me -" Miss Hillyer
paused, in astonishment. Why. Miss Law
renee - Mildred - what s the matter? Have
you had bad news?"
Miss Hillyer and Miss Lawrence were not
close friends; they knew one another in the
very way which the catalogue of The Etoie,
the Smart Hotel for Business Women, prom
ised They met often in the lobby or elevators,
occasionally at hotel social functions and now
and again in the dining room, gymnasium, or
swimming pool.
NO. said Millie, with her unshakable
accuracy. II mean, no."
why. you poor darling!' Miss Hillyer sat
down on the edge of the bed and put SYM
pathetic hand upon Miss Lawrence's fore
head, at which Mile instantly burst into
fresh tears why, you poor thing! Tell me!
Tell Aunt Jean!'
And Mile told.
Jean Hillyer was not secretary to bank
president; she was receptionist in a magazine
office, and what she lacked in Miles attri-
butte of accuracy, she more than made up in
decorative quality. She listened, first with
sympathy, then with sort of excited interest.
81 am just" said Mile finally, "a plain
darn fool. And know it. And it doesn't help
bit wouldn't have wanted Edward even if
he'd wanted me - his eyes are too near to-
gether - but feel awful!''
Jean Hillyer's lips parted. Look here, she
said, you are darn fool! You're like so many
intelligent women - smart about everything
but men," She put her head on one side, re-
garding Millie, while the light of creative
genius burned and szzled in her lovely brown
eyes. You're not really bad-lookng, you
know. You're better looking than some really
attractive girls. You just -" She paused
lust WHAT" demanded Millie.
Jean knew, but she couldn't find the words.
"I bet you don't even see man, when you
look at him! What mean he doesn't kro,0
you see him. mean -"
Mile didn't know, but she was intelligent.
"You mean l don't think, You're man
and I'm woman, so what about it?' " She
laughed. Sometimes l do, sort of - only
then look at the floor"
"Listen!" said Jean, earnestly. and Millie
listened.
An hour and half later, when she had de-
parted hurriedly for her luncheon date, Jean