Evening star., 1937-08-19
CHAPTER xviii.

He am come yet. MISS " NAL
lev" said Rosetta, in answer to
Fritzie's frantic query when she got
Prookdale on the telephone. You
say hes on his way? Then you just
rest yourself easy III answer the
bell myself and he won't be in the
right off"
BE sure now. Rosetta" insisted
Fritzie. It's very important-to
everybody"
She waited until Rosetta had re-
peated her promise before hanging
the phone on the hook and turning
to Klfie
This is going to shoot the devil
out of Duke plans she said 'un-
less Rosetta sees him before Carol
and Madison get at him. Me go to
Europe with him! Would he roar at
that one? Don't you know he's crazy
about Carol and she is about him?"
Kiffies voice was plaintive when he
Answered her
But lambie, if Carol is in love
with Duke, why would she double
cross him-and us-by taking Dixie
euay?"
Fritzie looked at and spoke to him
as one does to a child
Women are queer ducks. Espe-
e,ally when they're in love"
Men. too, guess, because when
Dixie told me that about you and
Duke. I fell for it.
Never mind, kiffiekins,' sale
Fritzie Loyalty. You we're a fool tr
swallow that one, but l know it was
because you love me"
But look what I've done" moaned
KIffie. Maybe you won't marry me
now-I couldn't blame you if you
didn't. But it would break my heart" "
I'm going to marry you. Kiffie, ~
Frlt7ie promised, but I tell you this ::
III never let you out of my sight for
3 single minute Another snake-in-
the-grass like Dixie might sidle up
to you and the Lord only knows what
kind OF a cockand-b story hed
tell YOU and you'd fall for"
IF you really will forgive me-and
y
Jealous again as long as I live"
Frltzie squeezed his hand.
You can order the Lohengrln
march any time, honey. 1t will be
o. K. with me. It's a queer thing
you're Jealous. you hate horses, even
If you do buy EN- for me. you can't
stand being around races and that S
where 1 become alive, and you've Just
pulled class A boner! But never
theless and Notwithstanding, love
you"
And I love you"
And Duke loves Carol"
Kiffie stiffened Fritzie saw it
There you go again" she sighed
7 can't even mention the guys name
without your being jealous. Can't
even feel sorry for him-after an
you've let him in for?'
Yes, yes, OF course. I won't be
Jealous any more-honestly I won't"
Fritzie glanced at the clock anx-
1ously. Klfie did not need to be told
what she WAS thinking.
Yes, he should be there by now"
he said. You'd better call him again,
dear"
Rosetta had not failed Fritzie. She
opened the door before Duke had rung
the bell
You're to call Miss OMallev right
quick. Mr.. Duke. She Just phoned
and said it was something powerful
important"
All right, Rosie-Ill phone lust
as soon as I've spoken to Mr.. Mad
ison He's waiting for me and that
Is powerful important, too"
But she seemed all excited" pro-
tested Rosetta. She said YOU was
to phone right away quick. And I
promised"
%. K, Rosetta. If you say I'm to
phone her first, who am to do any,
thing else?"
He went to the little room off the
entrance hall. He was Just about
TO call the number, when Hartley
Madison came in
oh, you're here" said Madison.
We've been waiting for you"
Just got in this minute. Rosie
told me there was a message to call
Fritzie right away"
Madison had had long experience
IN big business deals, in appearing
calm on the surface, when he was
racked with anxiety. 1t stood him
In good stead now. His voice was
quite even and casual when he spoke.
oh. did she? Well, Carol ought
10 be getting back to her guests. Let's
get our little matter settled frst-it
won't take but a minute"
Fine said Duke rising from the
chair and following him into the next
room. That's what I came out for.
Whatever Fritzie wants isn't so i'm
portant"
Carol had never looked so beautiful
before-or so Duke thought when she
joined them. He WAS seeing her for
the first time with the knowledge
pounding through his brain that he
loved her. He thought she looked
like sunlight and flowers. He did not
see the tiny gleam Of revenge behind
heavy lids or her quick glance at
Madison. He saw only beautiful
girl whom he loved. It was hard to
tske his eyes from her, but he must
This was not the time to tell her all