The Wilmington morning star., 1940-04-09

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
It was a clear crisp night, with
a full moon that sent shafts of sill
yer down through the leafless trees
Linked arm in arm, Romany anc
Bax walked along silently for sew
eral blocks. Romany sighed:
Winter! 1t doesn't seem posi-
BILE. Christmas in seven weeks"
II suppose it has passed quickly
for you," Bax sighed. But 1t seems
ages since last August when you
came here. I was so sure my show
was as good as on the air the day
we cut it."
"Oh, Bax" Romany stopped, her
hand on his arm. II don't want to
see you discouraged. 1t isn't like
you!"
Pay no attention" Bax forced
a little smile. 81 guess I'm getting
old and can't take it."
She was so close to him that he
could feel her warm breath on his
face. They were standing by the
lake, jutting rocks above Them
shut off from the world.
Suddenly Romany felt Baxs
arms around her, his lips on lers'
She was taken completely by sur
prise, But she did not push him
away. Her hands went to the white,
unhappy face bent over hers, ma
ternally.
Darling" he said huskily. L
I'm sorry"
She asked tenderly:
Are you? Well, I'll take half the
blame"
With an effort Bax drew away
and they walked a few steps in self
conscious silence. Then Bax found
his grin.
That's what you get for SYM
pathizing with a guy when he's in
the dumps! He goes wacky and
starts trying to make love to YOU"
Romany answered him as lightly.
And a poor defenseless girl
down here where she could scream
her head off and no one would hear
herr
Bax took her hand, holding it
closely.
You're sweet, Romany. Too bad
4 can't be in the running. I'd like to
use up a little of your time that
Nelson guy is taking up"
would you?" she asked. Then
why don't you? Haven't I called
you and come ringing your door
bell and thrown myself at your
head in every possible way?'
you're a swell gal to give even
a minute Of your precious time to
a failure such as the likes of me.
Don't think 1 don't appreciate your
calling on me this evening""
Romany stopped.
This" she began severely, lis
not charity, Bax Tree, and you stop
talking that way! If 1 didn't want
your friendship I wouldn't be here"
II still say you're a sweet gal"
"a man with your brains and
talent sitting around moping and
staying away from his friends be-
cause he IS having a few bad breaks!
Do you think that makes any diff
ference to Cholly and me?"
mo, I'm sure it doesn't" Bax
pressed her hand. But a fellow
has his pride"
Pride, my eye!" scoffed Romany.
f1nferiority complex, you mean"
Lets not fight any more" Bax
srinned then. I'D much rather kiss
you"
Romany stopped, looking up at
him coquettishly.
well, then, why don't you?"
Bax looked at her uncertainty for
& moment, and in the moonlight her
face was maddeningly beautiful. He
leaned toward her, then drew
away.
Next time" he said huskily. 81
wouldn't like to get the habit"
Romany could think of nothing to
Say. There was a long silence as
they walked along the moon-flooded
street.
Want to drop by the house?"
she asked finally. II know Cholly
would like to see you. But I must
tell you what happened today, just
In case she isn't looking quite up
to par"
She told him of Cholly's radio
program, and because she knew
!Bax could be trusted, of how Dover
Hayworth had tricked her into
signing the contract.
Bax laughed with relish.
Does beat ALL" he grinned then,
"how you darn goods breezed into
Chicago and met up with the filthy
rich! You're making me regret for
Bella L~ANAN-COURT RI