Evening star., 1938-01-18

struggling in the arms of q young
man, whose unnaturally red face was
but few inches from her pale one.
Chris vision cleared. The man
was no stranger. 1t was Johnnie,
Babes Johnnie CONSERVATION surged
through her. Where was Babe? How
had this happened?
Phil pulled Johnnie away, slapped
his face with the fiat of his hand,
and Johnnie's knees folded under him.
Chris was at Minna's side in q second,
her firm arm around the girls slender
waist. She led her to the couch and
made her sit down.
You're o. X" said Chris briskly.
"Get her a drink, Phil. Ill stay with
her"
She glanced once at Johnnie, dazed
on the floor, and then she turned to
Minna
We'll" she said.
''Oh, Chris, he was awful" Minna
shuddered against the warmth and
friendliness of Chris body. He said
the most awful things. I was crazy
to come in here with him in the first
place, when he was so drunk. But
he wanted to speak to me- About
last Saturday night when he wanted
me TO-"
She realized then that she was
talking to Babes sister and that Babe
and Johnnie were almost engaged.
She stiffened But it was too late.
Chris was watching her sharply.
30 this was why Johnnie had been
working overtime" The little bag
gage. Loathsome little beast. Poor
Babe-how she idolized the young fool,
how this would hurt when she found
out.
WHAT a cheap little thing you
are, Minna," Chris said, and
stood up.
Minna made futile effort to cry
"I didn't mean anything, Chris.
Honestly I didn't. But he kept after
me all the time"
Chris was shaking with anger "If
Babe finds out about this, I'll wiring
your pretty little neck myself. Don't
/
tell her. if anyone does, unless you
and Johnnie act like grownups first
and behave yourselves. Hasn't he
enough backbone to break with one
Of you?"
Greetings, people!" Babe was
standing at the door, laughing. Her
vivid little face was shining with
delight. Have either of you eggs
seen my man around? You know,
the one with the big ears"
Neither Of them spoke. Then she
saw him stretched out on the floor,
completely unconscious.
Johnnie" She flew to him. Down
on her knees and with trembling
fingers she caressed his hair. What
is it? Chris, don't look at me like
that! What's happened"
He had 3 little too much under
his belt, chicken" Chris was WILL
ing to leave 1t there. But something
pushed Minna forward
Yes" she said. The poor kid
stumbled over the rug and fell. He'll
be all right"
They drove in silence, Babe and
Johnnie in the back this time, his
head resting on her shoulder. She
q was very quiet as she preceded Phil
and Chris up the stairs and she went
straight into the apartment, leaving
them alone in the hallway.
1T WAS fun, wasn't it?" Chris
doh u.
Cinderella must have felt when she
got home from the ball.
Il wish it were to be done all
over again, Chris. I really do In
spite Of the unfortunate finale" His
face looked very beautiful to her with
the harsh hall light falling on its
strangely soft lines. He grinned.
mo fooling. Chris, you were swell.
It was white of you to pitch in and
treat stranger so nicely. Honest,
you were awfully nice"
Praise of this sort was unfamiliar
music to her. She couldn't do any,
thing but grin back, ridiculously
speechless. Then he was gone, after
muttering something about coming
around soon. She heard his steps
die away. car door slammed She
went into the apartment and to bed,
her heart singing.
They slept late the next morning
and INDUCED in a. lazy breakfast.
Nibbling on a piece Of toast Babe
said, "Chrissie, why did you and
Minna lie to me last night-about
Johnnie, I mean?"
Lie to you?" With a guilty stab,
Chris played for time. trying to think.
Johnnie didn't trip over any rug.
they don't have rugs at Minna's
house. They have carpeting in all
the rooms, just carpeting. I've been
GRsA