Evening star., 1940-03-01

Elaine Elaine iorIivss him: Melvyn kisses
she's engaged to Eric.
CHAPTER Is.
Melvyn Stuart shook his head
sadly and when he spoke his voice
was husky and trembling. elaine
don't you see that you are in love
with me? A girl as fine and decent
as you doesn't put so much ardor
into kiss unless she really means
It,"
"Ardor!" The way he enunciated
the word made her feel cheap, un-
clean. How could she have even
been SO unfaithful to Eric? He had
trusted her, wanted to marry her
and surrendered everything dear to
himself just so that he could have
her as his own. And she-she had
proved herself unworthy of his love.
Kisses were all right when one is
single, foot-loose and fancy-free.
But when one is engaged to be
married, when one loves q man 30
wholeheartedly as she loved Eric,
there was no excuse for such be-
havior. She scowled Is he raised
his arms to take her again into his
With an angry, unthink-
Ing cry of rage her hand flashed
out and she slapped his face with
every ounce of strength in her slim
body.
Melvyn staggered back against
the table, his eyes fiaring with
anger, but before he could move
Elaine walked over to the door and
flung it dramatically open. "You
can get out at once, Melvyn Stuart.
And don't want you to come back
into this apartment until you apol-
ogize!"
Melvyn Is Amused.
He chuckled at Elaine's pose, q
pose which would have been q credit
to a great actress. But as his ewes
met her angry stare he shook his
head almost as though he couldn' t
believe his senses. Elaine, I really
think you believe you do love Eric.
It's amazing"
Not only amazing-but interest
Ing" a new voice calculated from
the door.
There was a familiar ring to the
voice and Elaine whirled around to
ind Helen Wortorski standing In
the center of the living room, her
eyes contemptuous, her lips parted
into a knowing smile.
The apartment door was open, !"
Helen explained, sauntering into
the kitchen. Apparently your
er-lover here was so anxious to
see you that he forgot to be dis
Greet. I knocked, then hearing
voices, I came in"
Elaine sagged wearily against the
door, too confused to- think
Or speak coherently. She watched
with dull eyes as he nom
chalantly pulled out a chair and
sat down. A moment ago this &C.
lion would have infuriated her, but
now she was too confused to even
bother about that. She glanced
'oldly at Helen. We'll, what brought
you over here?"
Helen Warns Elaine.
Helen shrugged her shoulders.
You know why I'm here. But now
don't think I'll have to ask you
70 accept the check" Her eyes were
Sits of green. I'm tell
ng you to accept the check while
you still have the chance"
And If I dont?" Elaine felt she
lnew the answer, but some perverse
luirk in her character made her
want to hear Helen's alternative.
Helen again shrugged her shoul-
1ers. Eric may love you, but I
1on't think that even his love would
'e great enough to forgive you this" I"
"This?" Melvyn's face was forbid
ling as he rose from the chair and
'trode over to the girl. And just
what do you mean by 'this'?"
Must I answer that?" Helen
asked scornfully. She moved briskly
;oward the door. you can reach
ne at this address if you decide to
oe sensible, Elaine, She placed a
aotel card on the table. "Other-
wise. :" Her shrug was a mas
.erpiece of eloquence as she turned
and walked out the door.
Me1vvr GRO cpad EHoiv,a,e o~~. .l
led her to a chair. Nov then,
what's all this about? Who is she?
What is this talk about a check?"
Once more he was the same kind
ly, helpful intern she had known
1T the hospital, and before she knew
It Elaine was telling him all about
the whole affair, telling him how
much she loved Eric, how Helen had
determined to marry him herself,
about Mrs. Reardon's ridiculous OBJ
jections to the match. When she
the explanation she glanced
up at him, her eyes ap-
pealing.
Melvyn Won't Help.
But you can tell Eric that moth
ing really happened" she told him,
feeling happier now that she had
got the whole story of her mind.
He won't like the idea Of the kiss,
know, but II we tell him it was
just one Of those silly things I'm
sure that ="
His grim laugh cut across the
plans Elaine was making and when
she looked up it was to see his
face drawn hard and tight, his eyes
his lips scowling, his chin
stubborn.
Elaine" Melvyn asked lightly,
did you ever hear that saying,
Ais fair in love and WARP"
The implication of his words drew
her slowly from out the chair and
she stared horrified at him. She
raised her hand in q pleading
pathetic gesture. But Melvyn,
surely you wouldn't -"
IT won't do anything to help
you," he said stubbornly. "Why
should I? I love you and I'm the
sort of man who gets what he wants.
If I didn't know that deep down
inside of you you love me I might
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