Evening star., 1937-05-16


have accepted Clodagh d'Albe's invita-
= ton; Clodagh was one of the Hollywood
film wives" he objected TO- But since it came
right on top of their quarrel, Evelyn jumped
at it. 1t would show Ronny that she was de-
termined to take her place among the stars"
OF course, as Ronny had pointed out, she
had promised - but then she had never
dreamed that Swenk would make her an offer.
Ronny should have recognized at once that no
actress could turn her back on such an oppor-
tunity - the lead in the next Swenk Super
and five years contract, it was terrific! She
had expected Ronny to share her elation; but
all he said was: And you told him nothing
doing because you're marrying me in three
months
He was in an obstinate mood. 1t made him
look terribly clear-c cut and attractive. But she
must show him that he was being silly. An
actress simply couldn't say mo" to Swenk.
When he took you up your career was made
you and have already agreed" Ronny
added, that you give up pictures when we
marry"
Its just selfshness," she famed. "You
put yourself before my big chance"
Il put happy marriage before every
thing" he said with rising anger.
"You just don't like playing second fiddle
''Quite!" he said iercely. Marriage to me
means partnership want to be husband
not mere house dog to celebrity"
Its just as we'll then that Swenk made his
offer in time," she interrupted. You're
saved; III sign the contract on Monday"
Ronny had said nothing to that just turned
and walked straight out of Adas house. leav-
ing her more furious than sorry. When Clo-
dagh had come sailing imperiously through
Adas crowd five minutes later and suggested
the week end at her country place, Evelyn had
accepted more to punish Ronny than from
any liking of the star.
As promised, Clodagh arrived in car at
Evelyns fiat on Friday evening to run her
down. 1t wasn't a small car, but with Clodagh,
two maids, Claudy Erting the agent, chauf-
feur. oddments of extra baggage and John. it
was overfull. Claudy said 50, Evelyn looked
it as she hovered by the door, even Clodagh
noticed it. She said casually, but promptly:
John will go by train. Get out, John.''
John Donkin got out John Donkin was the
man known to the world as Miss Clodagh
d'Albes husband There were two maids in
the car, more luggage than was necessary, but
it was the husband who got out like an un-
wanted cat, without even a meow of protest.
Worse, standing with sheepish meekness be-
side the car, he muttered diffident request,
to which Clodagh answered largely:
mot got enough for the fare? How much
will five dollars do?"
Evelyn could not help wincing. 1t wasn't
merely the husbands terribly undignifed
position, but at his almost cringing accept
ance of it: plainly he had got too used to the
role of being mere accessory to Clodagh
d'Albe, star" to mind.
She had vision of Ronny standing on the
pavement, mere left behind" while his
famous wife drove off. and her heart rebelled.
But it didn't follow, Ronny would never
take things 50 meekly - or would he?
Clodagh's cottage was haven of top-notch
gaiety and Clodagh was the natural center of
its lively, cocktail merriment - but John
Donkin wasn't. John Donkin just didn't
figure. When someone at dinner that night
asked, where's John?" Clodagh pettishly
broke off her conversation to say: Isn't he
here? guess he missed his train or took
slow one or something like that"
Something like that was good enough for