Evening star., 1940-06-05

IF you are not in love with me,
you will be-" he told her. We're
going to be happy, Joan. We're go
ing to have lot of fun. You love
me. I'm sure of that. And I've
wanted you for long time"
Il know :. :" she said. She wished
that he had said instead that he had
loved her a long time.
Scott continued to talk, low
voiced, telling her of the places
they would go on their honey
moon Hawaii, Manila, Bali.
They'd have lots of fun. Joan lis
tened vaguely, thinking that he was
already planning to show her off
She could almost hear him saying,
Gentlemen, my wife" His tone
would seem to ask, isn't she
lovely %
Drives to Parents Home.
Scott had a bachelor apartment
but he drove to his parents home
on Park avenue Joan had been
there many times. She liked Scott s
parents. and his sister Helene, i'm
mensely. She was grateful, per-
haps even more than Scott, for
all that they had done for him
The Lannings had adopted Scott
as a child, before they had known
there would be child of their own.
Helene met them when they were
admitted by the butler. Helene
kissed Joan, and explained that her
parents were out but would be
home early.
She was dark girl, a debutante
Of last year, and society editors and
columnists called her glamour
girl. She was not strictly glamorous
She was warm, friendly, normal
person. She was merely pretty
not beautiful.
The crowd is here" she said
Come into the music room, Joan
and say hello. Coming Scott?"
1t was quite crowd, nearly q
score of young people. The music
room was boisterous with gay chat
ter and bright laughter. Joan anc
Scott were rouslngly welcomed
Some one started pounding the pi.
ano, singing loudly, Here come.
the BRIDE" Another suggested 9
toast, and Helene said there wa.
champagne. The butler was sum.
moned. and when he brought thu
iced bottles the toast was gaily
drunk. Joan stood with SCOTS arm
about her. She experienced a warn
inner glow. She was going to be
happy. Her grief of the last 81,
months was ended
Helene said to her, later, Let!
go upstairs and look at your wed.
ding gown again"
I'd love to-" Joan said, anc
slipped from the room with her.
In the hall they met two late
arriving guests. The man Joar
knew, but he didn't matter. 1t was
the girl, Laura Ward, who counted
Laura Wards presence there
swept away all Joan's warmth anc
gaiety. Laura Ward was a statu-
esque beauty; she was tall, dark
coldly lovely so faWlessly lovely
that men stared at her in ad-
miration and women with envy
Laura Wards name had beer
linked with SCOTS for a long time
Laura's eyes were very black ir
the smooth whiteness of her face
her lips startlingly red. She met
Joan's eyes and slowly smiled.
Congratulations. she said.
THANK you" Joan replied, anc
went on with Helene.
The wedding gown was satiny
white, incredibly lovely. The brida
veil would be like halo for Joan's
golden hair. She laid her hanc
against the dress, feeling how fine
and soft it was
Its almost too beautiful" she
said.
Il think you're lucky" Helene
said eXcitedly. SCOTS a granc
sort. All you must do is keep him
in harness. And that shouldn't b,
hard for you, Joan"
Il shall have to reform him,
Joan said, and laughed.
Joan Overhears.
She left Helene and went down.
| opoAl w JoAil UllC ObllS1o. 4Olll t1l'
staircase she saw the library dool
open and Scott just inside the room
When she reached the lower hal
she turned toward the hbarary. i
Scott was alone, she wanted to tall
with him. She wanted him to TAKE
her in his arms and tell her thai
they were going to be happy.
| Chn
saw that Scott was not alone. Laura
Ward was with him, and they were
facing one another in a strained
and bitter way. Joan caught Laurs
Wards words, spoken in the brittle
voice of woman in fury.
You can't do this to me, Scott!'
Joan stood rooted. They were un
aware of her standing there jus
outside the doorway. She didn'
want to hear this, but she couldn'
move away. And SCOTS voice
coldly angry, held her more firmly
His words to Laura were like blow
in the face to Joan.
Il keep telling you, darling tina
my marriage won't change thing
between you ana me-.
Laura's brittle laughter Jared
Scott, you're a smooth heel, bu
smoothness doesn't make you an,
the less contemplate"
"Oh, don't go righteous on me
Laura. We're made of the sam,
stuff"
1t was then that they becam,
aware of Joan. Lauras expres
sion was first alarmed, then meanl,
pleased. Scott looked stricken. Joal
turned and walked swiftly away
Scott caught up with her as sh,
reached the foot of the staircase
He seized her shoulders and turne,
her about to face him.
What are you going to do?" h
demanded thickly.
II don't know. Something, o
course"
Joan Runs Upstairs.
He still had his hands on he
shoulders, gripping her so tightl,
1t hurt. He said, What you heart
~ ~ ,.A%ya{s,n ln~s xh~~ ->&L;~.