Evening star., 1938-12-25


When Ned thought of Trudy and Pearl, he
became deeply disgusted with himself. Here
he was. twentvsiX years old and eager to get
married. Yet how could he get married when
he had two girls instead of one:
Things had been simple enough when he
had been going out with Just Trudy Magill
then he had not owned his own gas station
SO he had not been able to afford wife
Just before he got the station, he had met
Pearl Snyder and things had certainly be-
come gummed up after that
OF course he couldn't blame Pearl. He
couldn't blame anybody except himself -
for being such terribly tickle guy. Here he'd
been carrying an engagement ring around in
his pocket for months. waiting for the time
when he could decide which girl he would
ask to wear it. As matters stood now he was
alternating dates; sometimes he had dates
with both girls on the same night - like to-
night. They had both told him they wanted
to see him. so what could he do: He'd 60 to
Pearls house at seven and leave around nine,
explaining that he d have to work at the gas
station until closing time.
Then he'd hurry over to Trudys house
and stay until midnight, handing Trudy the
story that he d had to work during the early
part of the evening He was sure that neither
suspected his double life For Ned didn t look
like a young man who led double life; he was
stocky. with square jaw and earnest.
credulous eyes.
Pearl was always eager to go out some
where - to the Silver Slipper Cafe or movie
or even band concert Pearl was gay and
lively and always kept things humming,
Truo1y preferred to stay home most nights.
Sometimes she fixed up tasty dishes, like
cheese dream sandwiches or slick salads.
That was very NICE OF course Still. suppose {.
fellow married Trudy and she never wanted
to 90 out any place Why fellow would then
get in rut and never know anything except
what he read in the newspapers. But on the
other hand maybe Pearl would want To- 60
out too much and then =. oh. it was mess.
any way YOU looked at it,
As far as appearances went. the two girls
were Just as different Trudy had dark eyes
and dark hair with shiny little waves. She
never used any makeup beyond little lip
stick once in a while Pearl had fluffy blond
halI and she used more makeup. She was
much better talker than Trudy very quick
on the uptake At parties she always made
Ned feel proud of her Not that Trudy was
any wallfowcr. but she couldn't pull the
concal stuff the way Pearl could. When
Trldv talked, she always talked very low
and earnest and looked straight at people.
Ned was still ponderlng his dilemma when
he heard a car stop by the pumps He looked
out of the window What boat he said
aloud.
1t was. Cream colored shaped like a loaf of
Vienna bread. with a flock of horns and a
huge trunk on the back Ned walked out not
noticing the people because he was intent
upon admring this wonderful car.
Fill it up he asked
About ten SAID the man at the wheel.
Ned glanced at him then He was around
fifty. with a brlstlc OF a mustaClle and sporty.
belted coat He was smoking cigar.
As Ned looked at the woman. he was startled
to find that she was staring at him. She was
some load of Qnery all right: a two-story hat
and a fur collar that billowed like lilac bush
in bloom. and Jewelry sparkling on her fingers.
She had a sleek, narrow face and cool, dis
dainiul ewes. Ned sized her up as one OF those
willowv danes whose hips were practically
a secret.
As he unoosened the gas cap he had a