Evening star., 1940-02-28
CHAPTER XIII.

n
IN the Blanchard store.
CHAPTER XIII.
"Momma Gambina," Elaine asked,
turning from Jane, "how much
would you charge for that room
across the hall?"
oh, no you don't!" Jane cried
with determination. THAT room
Is reserved for Melvyn."
"Melvyn?" Astonished, Elaine
whirled upon her roommate. But
what could he do with that room?
He's down in South Carolina"
But he'll be here next week"
Jane told her with smile. Hes
finished up his interneship and is
going to work for doctor right here
in the city. And so, he's going to
live in that room across the hall"
mo f1ghts!" Momma Gambino
commanded, eyes flashing. There's
room oopstairs. One nice room
that I letta you man have real
cheap"
What do you call real cheap?"
Elaine asked as Eric walked over to
join in the discussion. Eric hasn't
such good Job and so you'll have
to give him really low price,"
"Five dollars a week." Momma
Gambino told her swiftly. "It'sa
lovely room. With a bigga window
on de sout'."
Elaine shook her head, her face
stern. Sensing that Eric was about
to agree to this price, she placed an
admonishing hand on his. You
ought to be ashamed of yourself"
she told Momma Gambino reprov-
ingly. why, we have four rooms
here and we pay only $40 month
You'll have to do much better"
Elaine Sets Low Figure.
Momma Gambino pursed her lips
In a thoughtful frown and then
slowly shook her head. ME, Tina
too busy to fight. You tella me de
price and if it's right, okay. Ifa
not, tella you."
Elaine took deep breath and
rallied all her courage. 1.-TWO dollars
q week." she said decisively. Per-
haps that was too low, but then that
rental would be more in keeping
with Eric's salary. After all, SIG
a week wasn't fortune.
"And you're getting more than
the room is WORTH" Jane put in as
the landlady hesitated. Besides,
that's the only vacant room you
have left. Wouldn't it be better to
rent it for something than have it
stand idle, white elephant on your
hands?"
"Tree dollar" Momma Gambino
declared after pause. She waved
her hand in the air. "No cheaper
Yes? No? Me, I cannot waste de
time. Me, I gotto bambino down.
stairs"
Elaine was at loss as to how to
decide, but then, seeing James
almost imperceptible nod, she agreed
to the price.
Eric stared in wide-eyed admira-
ton at the two girls after Momma
Gambino had left. "Gosh," he ex-
claimed, "how did you ever have
the nerve to do that?" Two dollars
off the original price!"
Necessity, Not Nerve.
1T wasn't a question of nerve"
Elaine told him with a gay smile.
'Tt was just a question of having
to get room at rental you can
afford on your salary"
She flung grateful look at Jane
who had again sat down before her
easel, glad that her roommate had
overcome her dislike for Eric long
enough to help with Momma Gam
bino. And then, suddenly, she re-
membered that Melvyn was coming
to live in the house. But why?
Surely a doctor earned more than
enough to live in a more suitable
place.
Jane smiled at her, an amused
twinkle in her eyes. She nodded
her head in satisfaction, almost as
though she were reading Elaine's
mind. won't it be fun having the
two of them in this same house?"
ct hope so," Eric told her, not
sensing there was hidden meaning
in her words. II only hope that you
won't dislike me too much"
Jane eyed him frankly and Elaine
felt herself tremble as she waited for
her roommate to speak. InStinctively
she knew Jane wouldn't pull her
punches.
"I don't dislike you now, Eric, -
Jane told him softly. Frankly, I
did at first because I didn't like the
way you treated Elaine after her ac-
cident. I thought you were rather
weak then, and I have the suspicion
that you are now, but as long as
you are sincerely trying to do every
thing in your power to become in
dependent enough to marry Elaine
why, why it would only be fair for
me to give you the chance"
Crash Ends Discussion.
A dull flush had crept into his
cheeks and his lips had drawn into
q tight line before she finished
speaking, but before he could say q
word in his own defense a crash
sounded from the kitchen.
"Jack again." Elaine exclaimed
grateful for the timely interruption
She would have to speak with Jane
later on about her remarks. After
all, whether she liked Eric or not
she could have been more gentle
with him. And it was silly of hel
to continue to accuse him of being
weak. How many men of James
acquaintance would be willing te
throw aside a fortune for the gir
they loved?"
"Jack isn't going to get away with
breaking all my dishes!" Jane ex-
claimed heatedly, rising from the
chair. "You would think he'd be 6
little more careful" She turned ir
the direction of the kitchen but be-
fore she had moved foot the dool
was flung open. Elaine saw the gur
In the mans hand as he cam'
through the door and she felt
cold chill in her heart.
UNko sister" the nimnlV- faCe(