Evening star., 1940-03-09
Chapter %

Chapter % -..
Elaine stifled an impulse to get
up and leave. She wanted to say
more, infinitely more to Melvyn, but
before she could summon up the
necessary words Clara and Betty
had reached their table, and one
quick glance at Clara's pale face
and anxious eyes had the effect of
cooling her rage.
Maybe, after all, Melvyn was right.
Perhaps the kiss was just one of
those things which happens all the
time. Perhaps Clara hadn't even
intended to kiss Eric at all: she
always did such strange things
when a thunderstorm was raging.
And, finally, who was she to judge
Eric or Clara?. She-she had kissed
Melvyn despite the fact that she
was engaged to Eric!
We'll, you could at least have the
courtesy to ask us to sit down."
Bettys reproving voice recalled
Elaine to the present.
Elaine glanced up to meet Clara's
curious stare, and smiled Il didn't
know that my friends had to be
invited to eat with me-"
With whoop of Joy Clara rushed
over to her and flung her arms
about Elaine's neck. Needless of the
grinning Melvyn and Betty. she
kissed Elaine heartily on the cheek.
I'm kissing you because I'm glad
you've decided to forget the other
night" Clara explained with a gay
smile. But Elaine, if you ever keep
me standing like that again I'll
I'll :" .
She'll crush you like an eggshell, ;"
Betty declared savagely. "And I'll
help her to do it, tool"
"And l." Elaine told them loftily,
"have friend who is a surgeon and
he'll put me back together again"
The Tension Breaks.
Their conversation was silly, of
course, but 1t did have the effect of
Immediately breaking the first ten
sion and Elaine smiled happily as
Clara slipped into chair beside her.
It was good to be friends with Clara
again; she had missed her greatly
during the past few weeks. And she
had missed Eric, too. Eric! Shed
have to see him. Shed have to. tell
him how sorry she was for acting so
idiotic. But-would he listen to her?
Would he be interested in knowing
girl who condemned him without a
hearing?
AS though reading her mind,
Melvyn leaned over the table. and
grinned consolingly Eric is sup
posed to meet us here" he told her
quietly. "As you can see, everything
has been well planned"
We're the best little fixer-uppers
in the world" Betty sang smugly.
Nov, for reward, / think it is only
right that you buy us a scotch and
! soda" :;
Betty Gordon, if you start drink
ing again I'll walk out on you,"'
Clara declared, rising to the bait, as
Betty had intended her too.
She turned appealingly to Melvyn.
please, will you tell her that it will
be dangerous for her to get drunk so
soon after her thick head has been
fractured?"
It was like old times, and Elaine
relaxed in her chair. to enjoy the
quibbling, She smiled as Melvyn,
to settle the argument, dropped q
nickel into the electric player and
invited Betty to dance. g
Clara sighed as they moved across
the floor to dance. She laid hand
on Elaine's arm. Gosh, this is swell,
Elaine" /,
Eric Is Missing.
Yes, it was swell, and II Eric were
here now everything would be. per-
feet. Eric! Would he come? But
he had to come. He had to
give her a chance to tell him,
how sorry. she was. She looked at
her. watch nervously as the minutes
passed swiftly by. Speedily, In
exorably, the hands moved. around
the dial of the diamond baguette
watch, and Elaine developed an ache
liniher neck from turning around to