The Washington times., 1938-03-16

i told me about your conversation
last night.
mice OF HER"
"well! How nice of her!" h
barked.
II appreciate your loyalty t,
me, Thayne. But I'm fed up ol
loyalty, fading romances-and in
ertia. I'm in love with Jerry, anc
he's really in love with me-"
You're glad Trova made a sal
of mel" Thayne yelled. "It give
you a chance to run off with an
other man"
Something like that" Janet
replied.
The receiver clicked. Thaynt
whirled, saw portly Phil Brad
shaw standing there in the office
Who invited you to listen in?'
4Ildy1l6 TuUlOIeQ.
And why not?" parried the
town playboy. II thought maybe
I'd be treating myself to a laugh
by coming down here. Hah! If you
hadn't been so occupied with Tro
va last night, you might've noticed
that Janet and Jerry were like
that about each other!" Brad
shaw grinned maliciously. 'NoW
you're out on a limb, with nothing
but a newer and greater love to
solace you. But lots of men-even
some wide awake ones-had fallen
for Trova. All you can do now is
sit around this morgue-like place
dreaming about"
II don't sit. I jump!" Thayne
did jump. He knocked Phil Brad.
shaw down. Then he stomped
outside, hoped into his old coupe
and headed for the city. He was
angry at Janet, at Trova, at Brad
shaw; most of all at himself.
He was still angry when he
stomped into the office Of Oscar
Howell, contractor. He Smote
Howell with the same fist that
had smitten Phil Bradshaw. Fast.
tersely, almost threateningly, he
talked to the contractor about the
building opportunities in subur'
ban Lake Shore.
Old Howell gaped. "Say, what's
come over you, Gerard? You're
usually as placid as the lake out
there"
"Never mind that" Thayne
growled. you've been promising
for two years now that you'd
start some building out there
Are you going to keep that prom
ise?"
"I-I'm about ready right now"
Howell gulped. "It might inter
est you to know that only this
morning I got some financial
backing that"
"Then use it! The world likes
doers, not dreamers-apparent'
ly!" Thayne stomped outside
again. "I'Il show 'em whether
I'm alive or not"
Still riled and feeling very
much the victim Of feminine In
trigue, Thayne sped directly to
the Torrance home in Lake Shore;
Trova, looking more beautlfu
than ever, was sitting In the big
yard, the sun playing colorfuily
on her tawny hair.
LEFT A RING
I'm glad you came" she told
Thayne. Janet left a ring mere
for you."
(Which, I presume, afforded
YOU a big laugh. Well, now that
you've succeeded in breaking
things up between Janet and me.
and doing a kindly act for your
cousin Jerry, I suppose you'll be
off on another big game hmt?"
"Big game?" Her dark blue eyes
were curious.
eyes. Millionaires - big ousi
ness men" He stopped as he saw
two tears gliStening on her IaSneS'
In a different tone he went on.
I'm sorry, Trova. II had q
hunch Janet was growing a bit
tired of her engagement bargain.
But I'll never hear the last OF
this"
Last night you said you loved
me, Thayne."
IT do. That's why I stumbled
into the pitfall that weary little
Janet set for me-"
You're wrong, Thayne. When
I found out how Janet and Jerry
felt about each other, I set the
trap myself. wanted you. Wanted
to wake you up!"
"Trova!" He reached for her
hands, chung to them. II believe
I am waking up! Yes, I know It'll"
THE END