Evening star., 1940-02-24

has voice worth training. Eric ap-
pears at James apartment and asks
Els'ne TO marry him. lie says he will
telegraph his mother.
CHAPTER 8.
How did you make out?" Jane
queried, placing the bags on the
bed. Did you find the Blanchard
store all right?"
Elaine smiled as she recalled her
decision concerning that. I'm not
going to try them. I really don't
think Mr.. Blanchard has a job just
waiting for me. In all likelihood
he'll put me on simply because Clara
asked him to-"
"A Job Is job" Jane warned.
"But that's your own affair How
did you make out with Monticella?"
Elaine raced through the story,
laughing as she remembered the
maestros eccentric manner. "And he
seems to think I'll become great
singer" she finished. Il don't know
why he believes that, but I hope
he's right"
He should know what he's talk
ing about" Jane remarked, rising
from the bed and picking up the
bags. She walked out of the room
and it was not until she returned
that she referred to Eric.
II didn't know whether to kick
him out or let him stay" she told
Elaine. slipping out of her dress
But he looked so gloomy when 1
told him you were out that I let
him stay"
Jane Offers Advice.
Elaine felt herself coloring before
James questioning eyes. I'm glad
you let him stay. He asked me to
marry him."
Jane nodded her head as though
Elaine were telling her something
she had expected to hear. Are you
going TOP"
Elaine placed her empty suit cases
in the closet and walked over to her
bed. Slowly undressing. she said,
What would you do?" evading a
direct answer.
Jane shrugged her shoulders as
she slipped into her nightgown.
I'm not you. so I don't have to
worry about it."
But if 1t were you?" Elaine per-
sisted. hoping Jane would say some
thing helpful. "Supposing you
knew he would be disinherited If he
married you. Would you consent
anyway?"
Slowly Jane shook her head.
You'll do the wrong thing If you
marry him. Elaine. But I'm not say
ing that because of the way his
mother feels. She doesn't deserve a
bit Of consideration. I'm thinking of
what you would do to Eric"
What I'd do?" Elaine repeated,
surprised. She glanced wonderingly
at the girl. But I'd be good to him.
love him."
Jane laughed scornfully. Love?
Dou you know the meaning of the
word, Elaine? Do you know what
loving a man really means?"
Elaine pondered over the question,
wondering just what dane was driv-
ing at. "All know is that I care
for Eric so much that l want to
marry him; that I want to work for
him; that I'd die for him If neces-
sary"
She Knew the Answers.
"You know the answers" Jane
said dryly. But you only think you
want to do those things. You're not
really in love with Eric, Elaine.
You're in love with love. Why, as
soon as you found that he wasn't
going to marry you you came here to
New York to become a singer. You
put him out of your mind just like
that. Oh, you probably cried little
when you learned the bad news. And
then, after awhile you probably be-
came angry. But 1t wasn't heart
break that caused your tears and
anger. 1t was your vanity that had
been wounded. and because it was
your vanity that had been hurt you
came here to New York. Had you
loved Eric you would have gone back
to California and made q fight for
him."
But do love him!" Elaine cried,
stung by James softly spoken words.
"And am going to marry him. I
came to New York because I was
hurt. I wanted to hide that hurt.
And I was angry. too, but not with
him, just with his mother. When
Eric proposed to me tonight / for
gave him instantly"
"Of course you did," Jane said
laconically. your pride had been
restored. Elaine, perhaps this whole
thing isn't any of my business, but
like you and I'm going to tell you
exactly what think.
You'll destroy Eric! Yes, you'll
destroy him just as his mother de-
stroyed everything that was fine and
decent in him by not permitting him
to have a mind of his own. He's
weak now and you're strong; in
stinctively he knows that you're q
younger version Of his mother and
instinctively he wants the added pro-
lection you can give him. You're
like flame to a moth, Elaine, but
just as the flame destroys the moth
you'll destroy Eric. You'll use him
up, or If you don't, make him even
more spinless than he Is now. His
only salvation lies in a weak woman,
a woman who cannot take care Of
herself. girl who will force Eric to
face life. II you marry him you'll
either end up taking care Of him, or
end up by despising him for his
weakness and lack of courage"
Elaine Begins to Wonder.
James quiet words angered Elaine
more than she cared to let on. Para
doxically, they amused her, too.
Strong? What had ever prompted