Imperial Valley press., 1937-06-27
\ HCTOR MARSHALL, immacu-

AZURE III leu Ills eyes IIOlil NllS
luncheon check he had just signed
in the new and elegant cafe of
the Meurice, and experienced a
violent shock. He saw poised in
the doorway, the only girl he had
ever loved.
The shock was violent for sew
eral reasons, one being that his
erstwhile friend, Fred Morris. had
taken low advantage of lovers
quarrel and married her almost
on the eve of his own wedding to
her eight years ago; another, that
he hadn't seen her since then, but
the main reason was that he was
still completely and overwhelm-
ingly in love with her.
AS he sat very still. an exciting
thought raced into his mind; why
not take her away from Fred,
marry her now? For a wonder
full moment he toyed with this
thought, and then with grim sud-
denness reason returned. What a
break for Diana that would be-
To lose Fred who had comfort
able fortune and a swell diplo-
matte job, and get him instead
Victor Marshall, bankrupt builder
of yachts.
AS he looked at her now, the
existence forced upon him by the
depression seemed more sickening
than ever: living on in his old
apartment in the most fashion
able section of New York-rent
free for the past two years be-
cause of inducing still wealthy
friends to move into the building;
lunching in luxurious speakeasies
as their guest, privilege paid for
by introducing new and socially
important customers.
He thought of his job and pic
tured telling Diana of it! And yet
that job al first so bitterly anus
tending shop and pressing
trousers for Tony D'Apolito on
Third Avenue during the lunch
hour of that hard working Ladies
and Gents Tailor been for
a long time the only thing that
provided anything in the way of
food for his soul. On Saturdays
he took his three dollars without
shame. 1t was about the only
cash he had.
"Oh Vic, -"
Suddenly he forgot he was
broke, forgot he couldn't marry
her, forgot everything except that
she was there before him.
Eventually Diana remembered
her escort. Introductions took
place and she sat down.
Lets take this table, Eric. You
don't mind if Victor sits with us
for awhile, do you?"
Delighted" muttered Eric,
rather stubby, dark young gentle
man who eyed Victor's blondeness
and six feet with hostile polite
ness.
This is my first day home in
years, Vic" Diana said while Eric
was ordering. How about wining
and dining me tonight in the old
royal style?"
All at once he slid from the top
of the world down to its lowest,
most dismal swamp. where's
Fred ," he asked, ignoring for the
moment her embarrassing ques-
ton.
Why, Vic, didn't you know?"
Her wide-set eyes took on a sweet
serious look. Fred died a year
ago in Budapest"
rLATION and depression took
possession OF him together and
struggled for supremacy.
I'm sorry, Di," ne said, "I
didn't know What have you
been doing since?"
YOU'D never guest" She smiled
her delicious smile. DO you re-
member" she went on, "the silly
sketches used 70 do? Well, it
seems they weren't so silly after
all I'm doing commercial art
now. And earning my living at
a. II was lucky could, too, be-
cause poor Fred was III for so
long and-well. anyway. when he
died there was nothing left"
You're earning your own iv-
ing? he asked slowly.
Yes. Isn't il grand?"
Grand" He made a futile
attempt a. heartiness. yes,
grand -.
She went on talking but he
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