The Washington times., 1938-01-06

taking pictures of Rene and his
model.
"Will Miss Morrow go to Rome
with you, Mr.. Bouchier?" asked
one of the reporters.
mo, l lost my model"
"She's staying with me, boys"
Wild interrupted with a laugh.
Tell them, Lynn, now's as good
time as any,"
'No, pleased" Lynn turned fran
tically to Rene, beseeching him.
But it was too late. That added a
nice touch to the romantic story
of Rene Bouchier's rise.
ENGAGED
So, across the pages of the after
noon newspapers were spread pic
lures of Lynn and Wild. and
Rene's triumph was secondary to
the announcement of the engage
ment of the city's most eligible
bachelor, the inveterate woman
hater."
Christmas Eve was a happy time
for Lynn. Rene, Lynn and Wild
all had supper at the studio and
Lynn cooked it herself. Wild
could never really believe Lynn
was the capable young woman
she was. To see her broiling a
steak was a revelation to him, and
he hung about the kitchen trying
| to help and ending up by getting
in everybody's way.
The meal was a great success,
and they had red wine with the
dinner. Rene seemed less dour
and frozen. But he watched Lynn
with sad eyes.
It seemed to him impossible that
he could put her out of his life
completely and irrecoverably with
out an effort to keep her. He
watched her lovely mobile face
flushed with the kitchen heat, and
trembled for her happiness.
Sometimes, he wondered II 1t
would not be better for him to tell
Wild, break the thing up once and
for all. Then, maybe she might go
to Rome with him. AS Lynn poured
the coffee. Rene contemplated that
thought. If only she were not so in
love with him! Was it really love
or infatuation that any girl might
feel for such young man as Wild?
"If 1 were Sure!" Rene sat lost in
thought, while Lynn and WILD
trimmed the tall Christmas tree.
Isn't it beautiful" Lynn would
demand as she put on another bit
of tinsel. Wild struggled with
strings of Christmas tree lights.
They laughed together and their
obvious happiness made Rene sick
with apprehension.
HE can't have her!" Rene got
up restlessly and said he was going
out for a little walk. "I'll leave the
decorations to you. Besides, we
need some more wine for the
gang"
Outside on the street, Rene
walked for a long time. What
would happen to Lynn if he went
away and Wild deserted her? Rene
was certain he would, when he
knew. Would Lynn go with him
regardless? Rene tramped about
for a long time and came back
without the wine finally.
The Christmas tree blazed in all
it's glory when he opened the studio
door. Some of his guests had come
Wild left them at II o'clock. 81
promised mother I'd be home be
fore midnight for our tree, Lynn
I'll be down tomorrow morning tt
take you to breakfast. Well hav,
to be home for dinner, but this vii
be the last Christmas We'll ever b,
separated"
Surprised
The party went on for hours
Lynn made her escape after !
o'clock. Out in the crisp cold she
hurried home to her little apart
ment, through the crunching snow
she felt desperately lonely and let
down.
When she came into her room
and snapped on the light, she gave
a gasp of establishment. A little
tree stood on the table. Around is
were many packages, all shapes
and sizes. She rushed to the lovel,
little tree Ind touched it's silvereo
leaves tenderly. How like Wild
Then she began to open packages
There were bottles of perfume, {
jeWeled compact, boxes of hose ano
handkerchiefs. There was a big,
square purple box of orchids, a boz
of candy. 1t was overwhelming
Then when she unWrapped the las
lovely gift, there was a note from
Wild: Merry Christmas, my sweet
and your real Christmas presen
you get in the morning."
Lynn touched the lovely gifts
and there alone she wept bitterly
Why did things have to turn out
so? There was little sleep for hel
that night.
Wild came in the morning, JUS
as she was making pot of cot
fee. When he came in the door
bringing in the breath of the fresf
winter day, he swept her into hi
arms.
Merry Christmas! You don
look very festive, sweet! Didn't yoI
get any sleep?" He held her close
looking down into her face.
Like the tree?" Then still hold
ing her, he pulled her down int
his arms. Then he slipped onto
her slender finger the gorgeou,
emerald.
"Emeralds suit you, Lynn