The Washington times., 1937-01-07

business! But it's not business I'm
thinking Of" said Tim O'Halla-
han, contradicting himself in true
Irish style I'm thinking of a girl
with eyes as bewitching as the
sea pools in the rocks of Come
mara! With voice as sweet as
the breeze over Killarney! Here's
to that darlin'" And leaning
towards Ann, he tipped his glass
to his lips and drank deeply,
beaming at her over the rim.
what a wonderful command
of language, Mr.. O'Hallahan!
Blondes and brunettes, I suppose
shey all get that toast from you?"
she laughed.
"Shure only one gets it, Miss
Delafield. Och! don't be angry
with me! 'Tis a long time I've
been waiting for this moment"
There was no stopping Tim
O'Hallahan. Rosalind's long table
was deserted, all her guests being
either at the bar or on the dance
floor. And there was something
stimulating in his open admira-
tion. H a d some, Well-dreSsed,
prosperous, kindly, one needn't
be ashamed of the manufacturer.
Ann drank her champagne
gratefully, for she was thirsty.
Heard his voice Groom on in ca
dences that would WOO a bird from
the bough. Amusing folks, the
Irish! Born flirtS, most Of them.
Here was a sample. He was telling
her she was as lovely as the Col
leen Bawn and the next minute
likening her to one Kate Kearney
who had turned the heads of all
the young fellows who SWarmed 70
her cottage in the Gap of Dunloe!
"An' will ye dine with me one
evening, Miss Delafield? Shure
I'll be fairly counting the days."
Il don't go out much in the eve
nings. You see I'm pretty tired
after the days over, and often I
work late" she parried.
Are ye fond of muSic?" he
asked anxiously.
I'm mad about it,"
He beamed.
Then maybe ye'd let me escort
you to the Opera one evening?
Take pity on a lonesome bachelor
and say yes will YEP"
She put her glass down on the
table.
It's awfully kind Of you to sug-
gest it, Mr.. O'Hallahan, but I'm
afraid it would be-well-against
the policy of the store. I mean,
for me to be seen with you alone
in public. I know it sounds silly,
but as we do have business deal
ings pretty frequently, it might be
misunderstood if We Were-what
shall I say?-to appear socially
together"
But lots of buyers do it," he
pleaded, "just because you're
clever and forging ahead, you can't
shut yourself up in glass cage"
I'm sorry. It's impossible" But
Ann was troubled, for he was so
eager, so kindly and good-natured.
and she really liked him.
He drummed disappointedly on
the little table. There was a
pause.
Then his face lightened as he
suggested sending two tickets to
her for next Monday nights Sam
son and Delilah." They're suits
in a box, if I remember rightly.
Didn't you once mention your
mother being fond of the Opera?
You could take her, Miss Della
field"
Now, Ann knew that Lolly would
love that fashionable evening at
the Metropolitan. For, since the
crash, she had had to relinquiSh
her much-cheriShed loge. To see
and be seen was as great pas
sion with Lolly as was the music
Of DebusSy. So she accepted the
manufacturers offer of two tickets.
I'll come by your office and
give them to you Monday morn
ing" This was Saturday night.
"Oh. no. 1t might be noticed.
Not that there's any harm in TAX
ing them" she amended quickly
"but If you'd mail them to my
home, I think it would be better" I"
"Okay. May I have your ad-
dress, please?" He took from
pocket of his evening vest a little
notebook and a pencil. and at that
psychological moment Paul Brad
ley passed their table with Rosa
lind Barclay, overheard the queS-
ton, saw the gesture, and in a
quick, astonished look at Ann, saw
her flush scarlet. as though
guilty.
One in the morning. The party
continuing. Growing larger, nois-
Ter. Everything humming in beau
tiful melody in AIMS ear.
This was real living. Glamor-
GUS setting. Glamorous man be-
side her. The champagne mount
ing. Laughter
Who was she dancing With7