Evening star., 1940-02-25
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over. Alter all, you coOlonJ expect
her to decide q thing like that in a
few minutes. Eric. aren't you glad
now that you did send the tele-
gram?"
He nodded his head. I'm. glad
that you made me do it this way.
Last night was too excited, and
when I held you in my arms all
knew was that I wanted to marry
you as quickly as possible. But I'm
glad we decided to do 1t this way.
Whether mother likes the idea of
our marrying or not, she can't say
we didn't let her know about 1t"
The frown had disappeared from
his face, to be replaced by excited
animation, and Elaine couldn't help
but recall another of James re-
marks. Eric seemed so different
now, almost like another man. Could
1t be true that she had this effect
upon him? Had Jane been right
when she implied that when she or
his mother made a decision he was
more than happy to abide by it?
Il looked for a job today" he told
her as the cab speeded up Sixth
avenue. Il walked into every bro
kerage Arm in New York. 1 didn't
have any luck, though. 1t seems
they want men with more experience
than I've had"
you might not have to worry
about job" Elaine consoled him.
But even If you do I'm sure you'll
find one. Heavens, found one Just
this morning and you have more
brains and ability than I have"
Elaine Flatters Eric.
The compliment pleased him and
he sat little straighter on the
seat. "Of course, I'll find one" he
said confidently. But his eyes were
little envious as he turned to face
her. What sort of job did you
find, Elaine?"
She laughed gayly. IF my in
structors at the Fairview School
ever learned that one of their stu
dents was working in a restaurant
in Greenwich Village they'd have
a nervous breakdown. But that's
what 1 am doing, and Eric, I re-
ceived IS in tips today!!"
rs that such an awful lot?" he
asked innocently. why I spend
four or five times that amount in
day"
"Of course, it's lot" Elaine told
him sharply. She instantly re-
gretted her words and laid an
apologetic hand on his. You'll find
out what it means if you ever have
to earn it"
Before anything more could be
said the cab drew up before the
brilliantly lighted .theater. Looking
at the meter. Elaine saw that the
charge was 81 and she regretted
they hadn't taken the subway. She
said nothing of this to Eric, how
ever, realizing that accustomed as
he was to luxury he would not
understand the reason for so econ
omizing. She she walked into the
extravagantly furnished lobby she
heaved a tiny sigh. If Mrs. Reardon
did as she had threatened, Eric
would have to accustom himself to
a inucn lower standard of living
Picture Strikes Home.
1t was one of those nights when
the motion picture fans were con-
spicuous by their absence and there
were plenty Of seats available. They
sat down well towards the front lust
as the orchestra rose from the pit
with trumpets blaring and kettle
drums booming. Elaine thought they
sounded just little bit tinny in the
vast auditorium, but in her hap
piness at having Eric beside her she
was more than ready to forgive them
this unprofessional lapse. She ap-
plauded generously as the symphony
orchestra finished playing and as
one brilliant presentation after an
other was offered from the man.
moth stage she rapidly found her
self forgetting her troubles.
1t was not until the feature pic
ture flashed on the screen that she
found her thoughts once more re-
turning to her problems. It. was
one OF those pictures in which the
tremendously wealthy hero sacri-
feed all for love of a poor maid
in his mothers household, and as
scene followed scene Elaine felt a
growing dismay clutch at her heart
1t-why-it was almost the same
story that she and Eric were playing
In real life! Remembering that Jane
had recommended they attend this
theater. she wondered if her room
mate had already seen the picture.
She stole glance at Eric's face
and discovered that he too was i'm
by the pictures peculiar
resemblance to their own lives. She
wondered vaguely if she should
suggest leaving and then decided
against it. Although she herself
did not care for the picture it was
good for Eric to get some idea of
what difficulties he would have to
face as poor man If he married
her.
Eric Remains Silent.
But she was trembling when they
were once more out on the sidewalk.
Just as she had feared, the hero
had gone to pieces and, unable to
stand the poverty any longer, had
returned home to his forgiving but
family. Eric's face was
inscrutable as he again helped her
into taxicab, and during the long
ride home sat wordlessly beside her.
Once or twice she turned and sur
prised a look of fear in his eyes.
She was tempted to speak: anything
would be better than this awful
silence. But, remembering that Jane
had said she was too much of an
influence over him, she decided to
remain quiet. Eric would have to
settle the matter for himself.
His manner was preoccupied as
the cab again deposited them before
her door, but as he took her in
his arms the doubt and worry fed
from his eyes.
ut was silly picture, wasn't it,
Elaine?" he muttered, pressing tiny