Evening star., 1938-01-28


satisfied, but lost, 50 accustomed had |
she become to looking out TO: Babe. |
she thought Of them. hearing the
- low murmur Of their voices from
the other room. Then she thought |
Of herself and Phil. She wondered |
what would happen to her world II
some day she'd say to- Phil. Il love
you. you silly goose. Can't you see
it? And what do you intend doing
about it?"
She was tired through and through,
more than she knew. The strain Of
the emotional battle at home was tell
ing on her and now that Mr.. Bos-
combe had taken Buddie of to Florida |
for a short vacation, she had COM
plete charge of the office, and that |
meant additional problems and per-
plexities.
Irritable and tired. things that she
could not understand persisted In
troubling her. Babes crying, for in
stance. She had never cried like |
this before, of and on, mostly ut |
night when she thought Chris asleep.
She cried on the day that Johnnie
and Minna announced their engage
ment, although Chris knew full well |
that Johnnie meant nothing to her
any more. And she wept unconsolably
for an hour after meeting Antoine
one day with his wife, 4 stupid and |
blowsy blond.
Phil was getting unbearable, al |
though at times they were able to re-
capture for few minutes the old !
comfortable relationship. He could |
not understand this new Chris, this
tired. listless, snappish Chris with |
rings under her eyes and nerves that |
threatened to break at any moment
She was nearer the breaking point |
than she knew on the night that they |
were to celebrate the first anniversary
of their meeting A change in the !
routine was more than welcome, for |
| there was no indication Of an early |
return on the part Of Mr. Boscombe
and long, weary weeks Of response
bility stretched before her.
Phil was talking to Babe in the
living room when Chris came in,
same things she had worn a year be-
fore. at his request, the smooth black
formal. the silver slippers and the
silver band in her hair. She rustled In
and saw the two of them standing by
the table speaking In low voices
They stopped. but not before she
heard Babe say tonelessly, mo. It's
too late"
Phil looked unhappy, hurt, puzzled
But when he turned to Chris he was
smiling, his eyes inscrutable.
IT WAS like fairy story. The
lights Of the night club were soft
and the tableware glowed with an
answering softness. Chris imbibed
luxury and relaxation. resting her
weary self. every nerve and fiber drink
/ ing in the pleasure Of this evening.
She sighed once, smiling at Phil across
the table.
ITS grand" she said. "You do
know how to do things with flourish"
The wave Of her hand included the
champagne. and the flowers on her
|
had few days back. to wonder what
would happen II she stretched her
hands across the table and said QUIET
ly. You darling. I'm in love with you.
What'll We do about it?" She wished
that she dared
Babe and Vickie are out tonieht
in friends car-or did Babe tell
you?"
He shook his head One corner
Of his mouth twitched briefly. and
ne looked away. The champagne
scintillated in the glasses. Chris
slipped hers slowly They were a happy
couple-Babe and Vickie. She was
envious. just the least bit, for the first
time IN her life. Even Babes diamond,
a large glistening bauble, had . per-
petually joyous twinkle.
TITS been q swell year, hasn't it,"
Phil said.
Yes, it had been. Lots of things
had happened. She seemed to have
grown up. to have matured. Even
at q one could grow up, evidently.
"A lovely, lovely year." she answered.
Everything has turned out well. I'm
happy. We're all happy. vickie is
going to make Babe a fine husband"
Vlckie as husband-she wondered If
the idea appeared 50 preposterous to
him as it did to her Just now.
DILL stood up abruptly. Lets
dance, shall We? The music's
tickling my poor feet and they're
raring to co."
They moved of and were lost in the
crowd. Chris rested her cheek against
the black sickness Of his shoulder
felt how hard and square 1t was.
A waiter came up to their empty
table and stopped, perplexed. He
asked the people next to 1t something.
They pointed out toward the dance
floor and he craned his neck search.
ing nervously until he saw them.
Hastily he pushed and showed his way
through to them 80 that he could
reach Phil with his outstretched hand.
Mr. Emerson, sir?'
"Yes?"
You're wanted on the phone sir.
Right away. It's very urgent, sir,
they said'
They followed him to the phone
booth. Chris clinging to Phils arm
to keep from slipping on the slick
floor. who knows you're here?" she
asked.
Il left word at the hotel, but I
don't know who'd be calling" =.
He went into the booth, closing the
glass door. Chris waited, watching
him. His hand grasped the receiver
tightly as he listened and then his
face turned pale. He nodded once,
repeating something, and then hung
up. For a moment he stood inside
staring straight ahead, then he came
out.
Phil! What is it?" The look in
his eyes, the terror in them, froze her
heart. She laid a hand on his arm
and he spoke sharply.
Get your wrap right away. Here
$taA ~ ~l--