Evening star., 1940-03-09
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NEWhANER

see who was coming In whenever the
door of the restaurant opened.
There was a puzzled expression on
Betty's face as she sank exhausted
into the chair. She and Melvyn had
danced at least a dozen times since
he put the first nickel into the
player.
Late, as usual" she stormed,
banging her fist on the table. She
eyed Melvyn.. why is it that you
men are always late?"
He grinned coolly. II thought 1t
was just the other way around. But
don't worry. He'll show up
This last was addressed to Elaine
and she wondered If her nervousness
was so obvious as all that. She
supposed it was; she had never been
good at hiding her feelings. She
wondered, too, If Eric would really
come. But of course he would. She
was acting like a schoolgirl again.
Naturally Eric would come.
But he didn't. 1t wasn't until the
hands on her watch pointed to 10
o'clock that all four OF them realized
that Eric would not come Elaine, as
she walked slowly out Of the restau-
rant, felt more depressed and beaten
than ever. Eric was through with
her; he had decided that he wanted
nothing more to- do with her. He
had felt, and perhaps rightly. that
If girl couldn't trust man and
have complete faith In him she
wasn't worth marrying.
Elaine did not know, nor did Clara,
that Eric had been compelled to
work overtime in the store. Nor
did either of them know that he had
received his first promotion; that
he was now foorman in the sport
ing goods department and that his
salary had been increased from SIG
to $40 a week.
Its q ring even golddigger
should want, Mr.. OMalley! Such a
beautiful diamond 1 have never seen
in all my life. And for you make
a special price"
Pat carefully placed the scintillat-
ing diamond ring in its royal. blue
plush lined box and rested his elbow
heavily upon the counter. His blue
eyes were shrewd and hard as he
surveyed the eager jeweler. Special
price! Shure, an when 1t was a
special price people talked about that
was the time to be holdin' onto your
wallet.
"'Tis ginerous of you, Mr.. Motkin,"
he said courteously, But It's con-
fusin', too. Why should you be
wantin' to give me a special price?"
"Why?" Mr.. Motkin's delicately
Mortified tone of voice hinted that
this question was very definitely not
in order and that it pained him very
deeply in the region about his heart.
He sagged wearily against the wall
case and wagged his head mourn
fully.
That you should ask such ques-
ton, even think it, Mr.. O'Malley!
Oy, I'm sick. You are my friend,
amt you? You are one of my
steadiest customers, amt you? So
why shouldn't give you special
price, ha? Answer me, why shouldn't
I give special price?"
Jack mulled over this for a mo-
ment and then nodded his head,
conceding the soundness and 'legiti-
macy of this logic. Settling his other
elbow comfortably upon the oak
counter, he again eyed the ring.
That it was.lovely there. could be no
doubt. That it was fit to be worn
upon James third finger there could
be no doubt either, for this ring was
Of that type which would have
pleased an angel, and surely Jane
wouldn't spurn piece of jewelry
which even an. angel would be
pleased to accept.
His carefully composed face offered
not the slightest hint Of what he
was thinking; for, shrewd trader and
bargainer that he was, Jack had
learned that to express satisfaction
over an article before you purchased
it was akin to committing financial
suicide. He removed his cap and
scratched his red head as though
puzzled as, to just what he should do.
"Tis a nice ring, l suppose" he
admitted cautiously, placing the cap
back on his head. But the price =. I"
$50 cheap it's a crime" Mr., Mot,
kin informed him persuasively. Five
hundred dollars, and I shouldn't live
to see my children tonight II that
amt the rock-bottom price"
Jack buttoned his coat with great
deliberation and started for the door.
"It is my. condolences I am offerin'
you, Mr.. Motkin. Shure an it's too
bad that must die 50 young. All,
well, man proposes and God disposes.
It's fate. III Be biddin' you good
BY"
"Mr. oMalley!" Mr.. Motkin
dashed from. behind the counter and
seized Jacks arm as he opened the
door. "Yous shouldn't act like that.
It's such a. beautiful ring. Your
fiancee, win be proud to wear it."
Mr.. Motkin Yields q. LittIe.
Jack brushed the protesting hand
away, but hesitated In the doorway.
II have no 11arlcee as yet, Mr.. Motkin.
Lam planning on asking the hand