Evening star., 1938-02-17

snake ner mead.
I'm sorry" she said firmly. "bu,
I can't CO."
He stared at her in frowning un.
belief. Girls, that frown said, didn't
refuse invitations from Craig Wyatt
His gaze moved over her, warming
Joyce was very lovely in a pink frock
and dainty white apron.
Pink" he said. smiling, land you
get along well together"
Which reminded her of anotfe,
reason why she couldn't possibly &C.
cept his invitation. She thought Of
her one fairly decent dress, of egg
shell white. It had been nice enough
a year ago, but now!
She said again, II can't 70. I'm
sorry"
Dances on the Bristol roof are
pretty jolly affairs" he urged. YOU'D
have good time. and so would l."
She was shaken by indecision, and
cast hopeful eye at q car coming
down the pike. 1t purred swiftly by
She felt an urge to tell this suave
young man just why she couldn't ac-
cept his invitation, then decided
against it. He wouldn't understand
He might even offer to buy her a
dress, since the lack of one interfered
with his desires. Color crept into her
cheeks at the thought.
Il haven't time to go to dances, !"
she said. MY business claims all nv
time and energies"
His frowning gaze went over the
stand again. 1t was easy to see that
the sight of it annoyed him.
"Nonsense!" he said rather stiffiy
you don't keep this place open at
night" He studied her thoughtfully
Does your father object to your
going to dances in Washington"
Joyce had to smile at that, for Dr.
Adair never objected to anything she
did. It wasn't that he didn't care,
but that it had never occurred to him
that she might do anything wrong.
She sighed.
I can't explain to you" she said,
because we talk different LANGUAGES
There are number OF good reasons
why q girl might refuse to 70 to 4
dance. and no man could understand
any Of them"
do you dislike me, Joyce?" he
asked abruptly. but she could see that
ne didn't really mean it. He wouldn't
seriously consider the thought that
any girl might not like him.
rs there a shortage sof girls in
Washington" she countered, flushing
little.
There Is shortage of girls like
you. Joyce, everywhere" he smiled
Then ne sobered. IT you are wor-
rying about a chaperon, can easily
arrange that"
Il wasn't thinking of that" she
said.
Have you another engagement. "
ne asked, and, when she shook her
head, he smiled broadly. Then I'll
oe by for you at 8 o'clock tomorrow
night There isn't any real reason
why you shouldn't go, and 50 I'm
going to count on it."
Joyce was smiling confusedlv AZ
the scarlet roadster. turned in its own
length and went roaring back toward
the bend in the pike. One hand went
to her heart as it hit the bend with
tires screaming. She saw another
car swing out Of the road to let the
scarlet roadster pass, and sobered as
sne recognized the other car.
DR.. Bill growled, WHO was tha,
maniac?" He looked at her suspi-
ciously. Looked like that Wyatt boy,
and drove like him."
I believe it was" Joyce said casu-
ally.
What did he want, Joyce?" He
frowned at her flushed cheeks And
sparkling eyes. She shrugged.
He came by to see the new stand.
suppose" she said coolly.
What did he want, Joyoew. Bill
demanded.
Bill" Her eyes were angry. "You
nave no right to ask that"
DR.. Bills big hands came to rest
on the counter. He regarded her un.
wmkingly, his head shaking help.
lessly.
IN way I can understand it,
Joyce" he said more softly. "1ts
nard for q girl to see romance In q
1eilow who drives rafting nivver, q
small-town doctor, . man she has
known all her life"
She looked at him uneasily. "Mr.
wyatt asked me to go to a dance with
MN tomorrow night, Bill"
DR.. Bill scowled. Don't do It.
Joyce. A man like that won't take
you seriously. He's Just playing
around"
anger touched her then, due partly,
sne realized, to Bfll's words and partly
because OF the doubt in her own mind.
You might be mistaken in that,
6ui' she said, trying to keep the
anger out CT her voice. And knew
suddenly that she was going to Wash.
lngton with Craig Wyatt the following
night.
tcopyrisht. 1881
tomorrow: Joyce finds that Craie
improves on better acquaintance, as
sne thrills to the luxurious entertain
nent that is part Of his daily fare.