The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-14
CHAPTER NINE

After dinner, Romany and Bax-
ter went to the moves. 1t was an
amusing picture and Romany said
good night to Bax at the door with a
warm feeling of friendship for the
struggling writer.
You're pretty nice" n gave
him her hand. I'm terribly grate1ui
to you for helping me SO much with
nv addition today. And I loved the
dinner and the movies"
Bax bent over her, his lean,
strong face a study in the dim light
Of the hall.
81. mnor much Of a ladies' man.
he said then, and I can't take you
to Landau's and buy you orchids.
But l will write a sonnet to you now
and then, Romany."
I'D love it." She wrinkled her
nose.
Bax wanted very much to KISS
her, but he restrained himself ad-
mirably.
"Bax is a lamb Romany greeted
Cholly in the bedroom, tossing the
big rose hat on the bed. "And I've
had a perfectly marvellous day.
There was a sob from the bed
where Cholly lay, and Romany
crossed to her, alarmed.
whats the matter, honey! Oh,
Cholly, what are you crying
about?'
Cholly buried her little red head
in the pillow, her shoulders shaking
convulsively. Romany looked at her
helplessly.
Are you sick? Please tell me
what's wrong"
After a little while Cholly said
through her sobs:
"Oh-it's nothing. Terry and I
have been fighting, that's ALL"
Romany shifted.
HAS he been drinking too much
again?"
Cholly sat up, wiping her eyes.
She nodded miserably.
Eyes, He spent the afternoon at
the Beer Barrel again. He drew his
salary a day early, and went over
there and lost most Of it playing
poker. I don't think he even has
enough to pay his room rent"
. Romany went into the bathroom
for a cold cloth to put On Cholly's
head.
"Lie down." she commanded,
land put this over your eyes. If you
waste one more sob on that sot,
I'm going to crown you"
"B-but-" Cholly threatened fresh
tears. you don't understand"
II understand one thing" Rom
any snapped. THAT you're breaking
your heart and wasting your best
years over a man who hasn't the
self-respect of a boob. Oh, Cholly,
use your head!' 49,,
Il love him." The smaller girl
pressed the cold cloth to her eyes.
You don't understand, Romey.
You've never been in love-"
Listen" Romany said almost
harsh1y. Don't tell me a nice, SEN
sible girl like you, with the brains
and talent you have, can really fall
in love with a man who shows so
little respect for vol I don't be-
lieve it! You've just got into this
thing and you're making a martyr
out of yourself because you're
afraid to let Terry down. Well,
what's he dong to you? I ask you!
Is he letting you DOWN."
"Y-yes," Cholly quavered. "Of
course he is. He never keeps his
promises. He swore to me just a
couple of days ago, after he bor'
rowed fifty dollars from Baxter, that
he'd never do a thing like that again.
And that when he got his salary he'd
pay Bax back at least five dollars a
week."
Romany exploded:
DO you mean to sit there and
tell me Terry O'Rourke had the
colossal nerve to borrow fifty dol
lars from Bax when he only knew
him casually at the university and
had seer him for the first time
here?"
Cholly nodded miserabiy.
'"That's the money he spent when
we went to the night club"
Romany got UP and threw her
self in a chair by the window look
ing out upon the lake.
"That's the worst thing I've ever
heard Of" she raved. why, Bax'I
probably have to do without. lunch
for weeks to make up for it. He
isn't making any money!"
e'That's what I told Terry
Cholly sighed hopelessly. But he
lust doesn't seem to be able to I'm
derstand. He borrows from every
body he has even a casual acquaint'
ance with. 1 know he means to pay
It back. But he'll probably never be
able to. Lord only knows how many
times he borrowed a quarter or fifty
cents from me at school. And he
doesn't even remember it, I guess
Romany gasped:
"oh, Cholly, I can't believe it
From you-and you have so little
ChoIly wiped her eyes again.
at shouldn't have told you. You'll
never like Terry now"
"Cholly!' Romany got up and
went over to sit beside her old friend
again. "If you don't tea.h that bird
a lesson, you're crazy You Just
CAN'T 20 on cheapening yourself go.
ing around with him on borrowed
money"
"I-k-know,' Cholly answered
"Tonight he got mad at me because
I wouldn't marry him right away
He said he'd straighten up and save
his money If I'd marry him ant
make a home for him."