The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-12-29
Coerisht, 1897, NeA Service, Inc.

Linda, wondering "lluOuN H'NSAN"N
what his business WAS.
you have friends in the city,
ncbbic"" he persisted.
Linda wished he would leave
her alone: but his bright dark
eyes were 80 full of inoffcnSirc
rricudiiucSS that she answered,
NO. I'm going on--on business.
| wonder if you can tell me
something about the hotels"
"Of course. On business He
nodded as if it were the most nat
ural thing in the world to plan 4
business trim for Christmas day;
but ne shot her 4 Shrcwd, apwats-
You go to the Somerset" he
advised her. That's Il nice quiet
place for ladies alone"
When they parted ut the depot,
he slipped 4 card into her hand.
well. Il happy Christmas" he
said with his puckcrcd, wisttul
smile. Maybe YOU look me up
sometime. II there is something !
can do. | shall be- very happy
Linda paid for her room ut the
hotel for two days in advance.
That. at least, was secure. But the
mice quiet hotel for ladies alone "
proved UNEXPECTEDLY expensive,
and she h,,d .orEottcn that taxi
cabs were not within the limits OF
her budget. She would need To
cash Il check: but over the hotel
desk she had seen the notice, mo
Checks CaShcd."
Perhaps the little man on tn"
u.ain-hiS eyes had been very
Kind. She hunted out Of her purse
the card ne had given her.
"Tuny Abruzzi," she read on it.
"Eilla AhruzM Floor Show
Fine Wines and Liquors
Select Parties 4 Specially"
Well. she might as well eat her
dinner at Tuuy'S. sine" she was TO
ask favor Of him. For suddenly
she realized that she had not eaten
that day. and that she WAS faint
with hunger.
II had not occurred To her that
Tony'> place could be 81 prctcn-
tiouS. In its luxurious, SophiSti-
Gated setting. his round BLACKBOARD
figure seemed droll and insignifi-
cant. Yet Linda. watching from
her table, saw that many of the
guests seemed pleased and even
flattcrcd when he noticed them
personally.
He discovered Linda just as her
order was put before hcr--a mod
est one. for ToTny'S prices were
in the upper brackets.
WHAT" he cried, glancing at
her slip. Salad - for Christmas
dinner, That will never do.
Pictro" he summoned Il waiter.
There is a mistake here" He
scrubbed an order. and this lady
is my guest. tonight, Pietro." ne
added. See that she has every
attention"
When Linda. annoyed and en-
hanaSScd. tried TO protect, his
round face was droll with diSap-
pOintmcnt.
All, shall be hurt-but hurt"
he cried. "il you go away without
tasting the best we have. II YOU
do. you tell all your friends how
Supcr-cloSSal the Villa Abruzzi is.
o.. And are we not all friends
on Christmas"
Linda WAS too numb to object
further. She thanked him in her
sweet. low voice, and let them
place the food before her.
1t all made the matter of cash
ing the check little cmbarraSS-
ing. But Tony made it very easy.
He brought the money for her,
himself. without question or com
ment. as if it were all quite in the
days routine.
When he had put it on the table
before her. nc drew up chair
opposite her and sat down.
Miss Benton" he said, glanc-
ing about him and lowering his
voice, 81 am in what you call
'onc spot tonight. You ca nhclp
me"
Linda murmurcd vaguely, sur
priscd beyond words.
Tonight is big event for me.
| had planned magnificent show,
all in the Christmas spirit - like
you see"
With q wave of his hands he in
Dictated the elaborate decorations.
the Christmas trees reflected i'm
every mirror.
Always have that" he went
on. pointing TO the revolving
stage where two sleek dancers
were going through a complicated
routine to the music of a white
coated orchestra. But Christmas
needs something special. Peoples
hearts are warm and soft then.
They want to be taken back to
the days when they hung up their
stockings and believed things. &.
Tonight | was to have real Christ
mas music. But Suddcnly the solo
list is i'll, and | do not NOV until
too late TO get another Who would
be just right. You are very
like that singer. Miss Benton.
only better Your voice, your
something about yOu--how shall
| say it?-aS if you had come
p 2 Est 0 N ( |