Evening star., 1938-01-17
CHAPTER I.

~ HE was tired. so tired. Never In
all Of her ~ years had she been
50 tired. And the bed felt so
~ good. Christine Sherman wrig-
Eled her toes against the sheet and
hitched her shoulder to feel again the
softness of her paiamas on her skin.
The little apartment that she and
her sister had shared since the death
sorne years ago Of their parents was
very quiet. save for muffIed splashings
that drifted from the adjoining room.
That would be Babe taking her bath
The sound was restful and Chris
closed her eyes. In another moment
she would have been asleep. but the
door swung open and q girlish figure
skipped across the room, trailing
ruffies and ribbons.
Roll over. sleepy head. I'm COM
ing in!" With an affectionate shove
Babe snuRgled down next to her sister
and turned out the small lamp by the
bed. Am I tired!" she eroaned,
Shaved like dog at the studio
until after tonight, and Antoine
still isn't satisfied with the way I've
shaded my background. Phooie!"
Chris started to laugh. but finished
With wide. inclusive yawn. "Um- m.
you smell good" She shifted appre-
ciatively. What is it?"
"Gardenia. stuff Johnnie gave me
tor my birthday. bless the lamb"
Good old Johnnie. Which reminds
mellow come he isn't around to-
night taking you out?"
Babe yawned this time before she
spoke. The poor kid has to work
overtime for change. It's the third
time in the last couple Of weeks. His
boss Is = meanie."
They both lay still without talking
for . while. Babe was thinking about
Johnnie, working hard In the de-
serted office on a Saturday night.
So tall and handsome. and such fun.
Twenty years old, two years older
than she, and she had fallen hard.
She wondered II he were thinking
Of her, and 4 little thrill tickled
her heart.
CHRIS' thoughts were concerned
with the two layo-ts she had
done that day. Boscombe had scowled
and shaken his head, and now she
would have 10 spend all OF tomorrow,
al Of glorious once-in- week Sum-
day. working on new ones And she
mustn't forget to remind him about
that man on Tuesday His secretary
never remembered those things. She
sighed.
"Chris--" Babe was using her
most wheedling tone and the older
girl knew what was coming.
Now Babe, my dearest and youngest
and only sister, please don't start
again. I won't let you get a job at
an agency. You have too much
talent to be spending 1t on adver-
tising art. It's good business and
q steady one. but after you've gone
this tar with Antoine / just won't
have you changing over"
"Oh, but Christie, I'd love it. And
we could 60 to work together. because
there's an agency Just around the
corner from Mr.. Boscombe's cosmetic
Aioucc dlid tuuio Vic
for your layouts."
Chris patted her hand. Il don't
want to seem obstinate. dear, but stick
with the studio a while longer and
on the day that Antoine sends you
OF with q kiss and blessing, then
you can choose for yourself Until
then, study on with him. He's
great man. And hang on to Johnnie.
That will keep you busy enough for
q while"
The telephone rang just then. with
Q sadistic ciuckle. Babe answered it
as she said. Il don't want Antoine
to kiss me, thanks. He has a beard
like load OF hay"
In q few minutes she turned to
the bed. Her voice was excited as
she said:
IT'S Minna's mother-Minna En-
erson, you know. She's giving party
next week and her cousin blew in
Unexpectedly and she's chasing a date
for him and wants to know, will you
be it,"
Chris grunted. mo Not on your
life" Babe knew what she meant.
They were both remembering Chris
last blind date. A bored, ungentle-