Evening star., 1937-01-03

MT, ELISA was among gay new scenes, rush.
ing along in a stream so swift that she and
Wallie could only occasionally find an eddy
where they could be alone.
For a time the cusps of excitement kept him
keyed high. but after month he found him
self growing weary of the photomontage of
days and nights through which they moved,
weary and unsatisfied.
So he was grateful when he heard Sherys
cool voice on the phone one morning suggest
ing they dine together that night A calm
rational pleasure filled him as he reserved the
table in quiet restaurant ordered delicate
California poppies for the vase - for Sherry
loved them - carried the stick she had bought
him in Nice.
When he sat across from her in the homely
luxury of candlelight, his peace deepened.
and he thought with pity of those who allowed
such things to rip and tear their lives.
They talked about what should be done
with the house and furnishings when she went
to Reno.
Let's leave things exactly as they are.
Wallie," Sherry said. She smiled. II think Ill
need sheet anchor for little while. 1t will be
nice to think about things while I'm away.
The garden is so lovely"
Familiar as he was with every infection of
his wife's voice, Wallace tried to find in this
pathetic note. an overtone of tragedy. When
he could not. he was at first confused.
Then. like light pricking through dark
ness, came realization that the tone he was
trying vainly to identify was that of excite
ment.
He asked. Sherry is there someone else?"
At first she said no. But then she confessed
There is someone else. Wallie Someone
new"
And you're in love?"
Sherry nodded. Very much in love- Wal
lie.''
As he picked up his water goblet Wallace
was shocked to see the ripples which trembled
in it. Because he was afraid Sherry would see
them. too. he put the glass down quickly
The next afternoon he and ELISA stole
fifteen minutes before cocktail time. Wallace
thought angrily that nowadays when they
wished to be alone they had literally to be
thieves, tiptoeing away from this or that
group. carrying the purloined quarter of an
hour stealthily lest its ticking be heard by
some one of the bright frothy people circling
about her like moths
What ELISA saw in his eyes made her stop
and draw him to face her.
'Wallie darling, what's happened?"
Chagrin touched his mouth. He said I'm
jealous. I'd no idea could be jealous" he
went on quickly before she could interrupt
1T must be something deep in you like your
pituitary gland. The only time you know it's
there is when it acts up
Jealous, Wallie?"
"~ He said, and the words were dull, Sherry
is in love-with someone else. She seemed to
be afraid to talk about it."
ELISA pressed his arm.
Il know" she said presently "A woman
must wait. And while she waits, she must hold
her BREATH" She said: "Once when was a
little girl my father promised me new dress
had never had new dress only made-overs
from mothers wardrobe trunk. We were in
Denver and it was winter. For a month I
prayed every night. But dared not mention
the dress, even to my father. 1t meant too
much" She sighed. He forgot it, as he forgot
everything else"
Wallaces lips closed tightly.
That night as he walked through Times
Square he grew lonely. His loneliness
stifled him, and because he was unhappy and