Evening star., 1940-02-23
WILLIAM
NEWeAUER
I'M

just a snap Of their SNUG, COM
placent fingers, Eric!"
"Elaine!" Eric sprang from the
couch, his face pale and drawn.
'You mustn't say things like that.
It isn't like you."
Elaine knew she was behaving
badly, knew, too, that nothing
would be gained by angry words,
but the realization of this only had
the effect of heightening her anger.
"Oh, isn't it?" she cried, laughing
bitterly. We'll, I learned my lesson,
Eric. When girl tries to be sweet
and simple and sincere she gets
kicked around like a football. I've
had enough of that, thank you.
From now on I'm going to be as
cruel and heartless as the Rear
dons!"
He shook his head sadly and took
a nervous step toward her. II know
how much I've hurt you, Elaine.
That's why I came here tonight.
came to ask if you could forgive me
and become my-my wife"
"Eric!" Suddenly Elaine was in
his arms, anger ebbing from her
body, leaving her breathless and
limp in his embrace. Dazed with
surprise and sudden happiness, she
rested her head upon his shoulder,
unable to think, let alone speak.
Refuses Secret Marriage.
do you really mean that?" she
queried, finally finding her voice.
II couldn't stand being let down
again, Eric"
I'll never let you down again" !"
he breathed into her ear. I'VE can
be married right here in New York.
We wouldn't have to let mother
know about it at first. Later on,
when she sees how happy we are,
she'll :"
"No, Eric" Elaine interrupted
gently, placing foref1nger gently
upon his lips. Il want to be proud
u our marriage. I want the whole
world to know about it. I could
never be happy If we had to hide it
from any one"
A frightened look came into his
eyes and Elaine felt a cold chill
clutch at her heart. Once again
Eric was being forced to choose be-
tween his mother and herself and
Elaine, watching the fear, the doubt
steal across his face, felt herself
quivering with suspense. The room
seemed to have become charged
charged with an electric tension
and she had the strange feeling
that she and Eric were standing at
the crossroads of their lives; that
she and Mrs. Reardon were waging
their final battle for his love.
His arms slowly frightened around
her and his voice when he made
his decision was husky and vibrant.
Elaine, when I'm with you MOTH
ing else in the world seems to mat.
ter. I'll telegraph my mother to-
night. If she disinherits me we'll
be married anyway. I'll find a job
right here in New York. We won't
have much at first, but -"
Predicts Mother Will Relent.
We'll have each other" Elaine
finished happily, and there were
happy tears in her eyes as his lips
came down to claim hers, but tears
didn't matter now. All that mat
tered was that he loved her, that
he was caressing her, that he was
going to marry her.
I'll get job, too," she told him
gayly, then we'll have two bread
winners in the family"
"Oh, you won't have to work." he
said confidently. "Once mother
learns that we're going to marry
she'll come across with a good
check" He tugged playfully at her
hair. "But what about your sing
ing? Aunt Ella told me you were
going to Monticelli for an addition.
What does he think of your voice?"
"He thinks have TALENT Elaine
told him happily. Then, remem-
bering that her whole life was going
to be changed, troubled express
sion passed over her face Eric,
you wouldn't mind if I took lessons
from him, would you? I never took
my voice seriously, before this aft
ernoon, but after I had sung for
him I felt suddenly that I wanted
to sing. And Mr.. Monticelli thinks
I can become a great singer if I
work hard at it,"
you can do anything you want
to-" he said generously. That is,
so long as you marry me-" He kissed
her long and tenderly, and sighed.
1--WE got to be going, Elaine. I have
an important engagement"
She drew herself free from his
arms and smiled as he picked up
his Panama hat and walked to-
ward the door. You'll send that
telegram tonight, Eric?"
He nodded decisively. Tonight" I"
He opened the door, paused before