Evening star., 1940-02-26
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as much as $4,000 II you promise
to let Eric alone. That's . lot Of
money, Elaine. It would make you
as independent as you would be II
you married Eric"
Elaine surveyed the girl coldly,
grimly retaining her composure.
MRS. Reardon could offer me her
entire fortune and still I would
answer the same way. I happen to
love Eric for himself, not his money"
Helen slapped her hand angrily
on the table. "Oh, for heavens
sakes, Elaine, be sensible! Eric
would never marry you If his mother
told him she would disinherit him.
He likes his comfort and luxuries
too much. But suppose he did
marry you, what would that get you?
You'd still have to work, you'd still
have to 60 without things, and, worse
still, you'd have to sit by and watch
Eric 60 to pieces. Your marriage
would end in divorce as soon as Eric
found out how hard it Is to earn
living. This way you get some
thing for yourself, and, If you really
do love Eric, you'll have the satisfac-
ton Of knowing that you did what
was best for him."
II am thinking Of what's best for
him." Elaine said stubbornly Cant
his mother see that marriage would
be the best thing for him? 1t would
teach him responsibility, it would
make a man of him. Mrs. Reardon
should know that, but if she doesn't
choose to listen I'm not going to
worry about her. Eric owes his
mother a lot, of course, but he also
owes something to me, and since
he's asked me to marry him I'm 60
ing to do So"
Helen Is Very Frank.
Helen shook her head from side
to side. HE won't, Elaine. I won't
let him."
"You won't let him?" Surprised
and puzzled by Helen's manner,
Elaine stared at the girl. She walked
closer to the table. II don't see what
business it is of yours"
Helen's eyes were cold and hard
and her lips were tight. 1T is my
business, Elaine, because happen
to want Mrs. Reardon's money for
myself. And I'm going to marry
Eric to get it,"
Stunned by the girls softly spoken
words, Elaine at first did not be-
lieve she had heard correctly, but as
her eyes rested on Helen's coldly
composed face she knew that Helen
had not only spoken them but meant
them. And suddenly she knew what
had prompted Mrs. Reardon's objec-
tions to the match. Helen had been
responsible for them: Helen who had
the older woman's confidence: Helen
who was poor and wanted the Rear
don millions for herself! Elaine
glanced Mortified at her. How could
she, how could any girl be SO despic-
| able?
80 you see Helen added, 6dget-
ing beneath Elaine's scornful eyes,
you would be foolish not to accept
the check while you can get it. Mrs.
Reardon didn't think of offering it to
you; it was my idea. 1t may sound
funny, but I like you, Elaine, and !
happen to know that you really do
love Eric, and so I thought it would
be only decent to repay you for los
ing him and, at the same time, help
ing me. You see. had you not gotten
yourself into that schoolgirl scrape
| you would have been married to him
| by now and I would never have had
! this chance. AS it is, I can marry
Eric any time I want to, but since
you would be losing the man you
love thought it would be only right
for me to give you something in ex-
change for him. That's my motto
Elaine, live and let live"
Taking Eric Back She Says.
II don't want to talk about it any
more" Elaine said coldly, turning
away. Helen's words had whipped
her up into an anger she had never
before known, but she couldn t make
scene. The restaurant was
crowded and if she argued with
Helen it would only infuriate Mr.,
Graves.
"All right. if that's the way you
want it," Helen had regained some
of her composure and smiled in a
friendly manner at Elaine. Il know
what. you think of me and I guess I
really can't blame you. If you
change your mind about the check,
you can write me. I'll be back In
California in a few days. Eric will
be there too; I'm taking him back
with me tonight"
Before Elaine could say anything
Helen had risen from her chair and
was walking coolly away from her.
It was not until she passed through
the door that Elaine managed to
regain some Of her poise. Burning
rage gave way to determination.
She would have to see Eric. She
would have to take the afternoon
of and go over to his hotel. She
would tell him that she wanted to
marry him right away. She didn't
have to worry about Mrs. Reardon's
feelings now; 1t was Helen she must
thwart-Helen who would take all
she could get from Eric and then
toss him aside when she no longer
needed him.
Myrtle was sitting on the stool in
the dressing room when Elaine
burst in through the door. She
snuffed out her cigarette and stood
up, her face eager.
Calls Helen q Tramp.
"She is a debutante, isn't she,
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