Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-10-19
CHAPTER XVI.
Admiration and acknowledgements
by OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Corp, 1857.

Waldo waited nervously in the
lobby of the Hotel Ritz-Plaza. Charlie
had told him to meet him there at
for lunch. 1t was now lis. He hoped
Charlie would appear-but he VA
family frightened Charlie always
frightened him. And he was not es-
pecially anxious to enter the dining
room of the Ritz-Plaza with Charlie
Waldo would undoubtedly see people
whom he knew at the hotel. Smart
people. And Charlie wore outrageous
clothes. Things made of buckSkln
even. Furthermore, at Waldo's elbow
chatting busily, were half dozen deb
utantes who were waiting to go in tt
luncheon until more of their sort hac
arrived. What they would think of q
man in q flannel shirt Waldo coulo
not imagine.
Somebody - Charlie y you could
never miss the voice-called. Hello.
Waldo jumped-and turned. For q
moment he did not recognize the
trailer addict. In tailored gray han-
mel suit, with a dark blue shirt and
A dark tie, Charlie succeeded in ap-
pearing not only better dressed than
most Of the men in the room but also
individual and artistic.
Waldo stared and flushed with re-
lief and said, Hello" He stood.
Shall we go in?"
Not vet" Charlie sat down. The
debutantes were looking at HIM with
una Dashed interest. "Cigarette?"
Thank you, no."
Charlie studied Waldo silently. He
had arranged the meeting for good
and subtle reason. He was in love
with Misunderstanding with love for
her. The news would soon be around.
He, himself, in fact. was busy spread
ing it. But the acknowledgment Of
his love left him with a problem.
Irene. superfcially, he was still her
beau, squire and ideal. Something
had to be done about Irene at once.
Hence his date with Waldo.
Finally Charlie spoke. I've asked
Irene to join us here at 2"
Irene? Oh, good"
II suppose you still love her?"
Waldo nodded, resignedly. II al
ways shall, Till the sands of the des-
ert are mud"
Eyes, I know" Charlie wondered
how to go on. Presently he had an
inspiration. You realize. Of course,
that-although I've spent a good
deal of time in Irene's company
our relations have been purely-shall
we say, platonic?"
you have been admirable, Charlie"
The young artist put on. suddenly,
q very stern face. He shocked his
companion by saying, forcefully, But
not you, Beaver! Not you. I'm bit
terly disappointed in your
I'm me? Disappointed? But
CHARLIE never interfered. I recog-
nized your superiority the moment
I saw it. I stepped aside. I urged
Irene"
Exactly" Charlie was fairly fierce,
and the debutantes quoted down to
listen. See here, Beaver! Do look
like a woman thief to you?"
"Well-when you put it that way
no-and furthermore-"
Furthermore. fiddlesticks! Remem-
Der when I psychoanalyzed your"
"Vividlyp
what did I say?"
"You said I was a bit on the
easy-going side"
Easy going! A bit! said you
traiIed apron strings. said you were
. sissy. Right?"
quite correct"
II told you to stand up on your
hind legs and fight! Did Tor did I
not?"
"Well-yes-though my boxing days
are somewhat past. You said, be-
lieve-" Waldo glanced apprehen-
sively at the interested debutantes.
He wondered what Charlie was going
to make him fight.
His friend brushed his words aside
"What did I do next? Ask yourself
that" Charlie glared menacingly.
what? I'll tell you. I stole your
grill"
An 1neluctable great Love-
II stole your girl, repeat. Why?"
1.-TWO strong and beautiful ma
lures"
1.-TWO strong and beautiful natures
my eye! I stole your girl to make you
fight! Do you think I run around the
world thieving away the affections
Of other mems women" Charlie threw
q sop to his conscience-"all the time?
do not! Do you think L" He
paused, dramatically. "Waldo-it hurt
me to see you believe that. You were
my friend. 1t hurt me more to see
you fail me. Fail to fight me, that
Is"
Waldo did not know what to do or
to say next. He tried several things
in rapid succession. Meanwhile, the
debutantAs leaned closer. and a couple