Evening star., 1940-03-05

are the only requisites to life that
money can buy. But they alone are
not sufficient to make life worth
while. Every human being on the
face of the earth needs and wants
health and happiness, and neither
you nor I nor the lowliest man in
the world can purchase them. They
are gifts from God and are bestowed
lmpartially upon the rich and poor
alike. I called Eric a heel a mo-
ment ago, Clara; 1 should have
called him a fool, because he is a
fool. He's madly in love with one
OF the best girls in the world and
claims he will be the happiest man
alive if and when he marries her.
Would any man of intelligence place
money above the one thing that
money cannot buy-his own happi-
ness?"
Degrees Of Happiness.
Clara applauded generously as
Betty rose with flushed face from
the couch. You argue very elo-
quently. nv dear" she teased, "but
you mentioned nothing about Sc
curity, freedom from want and
those extra touches of luxury which
every person alive desires. Eric is
really not quite the fool you con-
slider him to be. He can be happy
with Elaine in hovel, yes, but he
can be even happier with her in a
castle. Love isn't just question Of
taking, cherub; it's a matter of Civ
ing. too. And Eric wants to give
Elaine all those things she had al
ways wanted but never had. ad-
mire him for that attitude and 7
think he's very much of a man, a
real man.
Clara had not intended to display
so much fervor in her defense Of
Eric, but though she had endeav-
ored to keep her voice fiat and cool
an unconscious tremble lent to it a
peculiar quality.
Betty glanced with interest at her
scarlet cheeks and into her eyes there
crept the beginning of a knowing
gleam. She walked slowly over to
the chair and looked down at the
embarrassed girl.
Clara, are you sure your interest
in Eric is just friendly one: that
you don't like him more than you
have admitted to me?"
You're being silly" Clara retorted
irritably. II like Eric very much
and I suppose that in the course Of
time could become very fond Of
him. But as it is-what in the
world prompted you to ask such an
idiotic question:"
Elaine and Eric Arrive.
1t was on the tip of Bettys tongue
to tell her why, but before she could
summon the necessary words, DON
aid. the Blanchard butler, appeared
in the doorway.
Miss Elaine Warburton and Mr..
Reardon have arrived, Miss Blanch-
ard" he said, respectfully.
Clara sprang from her chair, a
happy smile on her lips. She
wheeled on Betty as the butler
slipped unobtrusively out Of the
room. "Now listen, Betty Gordon,
If you don't treat Eric nicely III
never speak to you again."
II know how to behave, my high
hat friend" Betty declared indig-
nantly. "And incidentally, if YOU
really do care for Eric more than
you care to let on to me, 1t would
be a wise thing for you to remem-
Der that he is engaged to Elaine
and that you happen to be one of
her best friends"
Was her love for Eric as obvious
as all that? Clara flushed before
Betty's sharp, knowing eyes and she
turned her eyes away. But how
silly. Hearts weren't being worn
on the sleeve this season. Betty
had just happened to guess cor
reetly. No one knew, no one would
ever know Just how much she ac-
tually did care for Eric. It was lust
as Betty said; he was engaged to
Elaine and she was Elaine's friend.
(CopyrtGht, 1910. b. william NswbauerJ
(To b oontanusd)