Evening star., 1941-06-20

AT any tlme.
Were we away long, darling?"
Anne set her eyes on Lance, no
meet every one"
II wonder If I will remember
them" Locke murmured rehectively
Anne Rutherford blinked her eyes
at him, flaring surprise smoldering
In her glance. Janielle laughed
lightly He seems to have acquired
the touch" she said.
"He must have had practice"
Lance Whitney observed slurringly.
Locke stared directly at Whitney.
Sudden turbulence blocked out his
jaw firmly. He hunched his shoul-
ders. Shall we call it off," Locke
said gently.
No offenSe meant, old man"
Lance answered quickly. He turned
to Anne. Shall we dance?" Anne
nodded in relief and the two of
them drifted off, leaving Locke
standing with Janielle.
He smiled at him, Didn't you
make any progress?"
"What?"
Skip it. Let's dance. Remember
that we have to look romantic. Try
to unscrew that mournful expression
from your face. Pretend you like
me, too"
A Sudden Tenseness.
Locke put his arm around Janielle
and as before he experienced the
sensation of tenSeness that had ac-
companied their last inadvertent
touch. She danced gracefully, lin
geringly, flowing against his body in
perfect rhythm. They moved about
the floor silently. apart from the
noise and conversation that swelled
around them like frothy cream. The
fragrance from Janielle's hair in
vaded Locke's senses. He wondered
vaguely what had happened to him
self that he should notice little
things like that. AS the music mur-
INJURED on, Locke frightened his arm
and Janielle seemed to melt into
his bones. Startled, he released her
suddenly, fraction of a second
ahead of her protesting hand press
ed against his chest. He found him
self staring down into her gray,
wide. startled eyes.
do you do this often?" Janielle
said. you seem to be proficient at
it." She broke away from him.
Locke was silent. The moment van
ished like wisp of smoke in a hur-
ricane.
Shall we wander around?" jan
aell's voice was steady.
Yes, by all means"
Locke stayed at Janielle's side
as they made bright, small talk with
the others in the party. Finally
they came up to Lance Whitney and
Anne Rutherford.
More Verbal Sparring.
Janielle said, You two seem quite
content"
Yes" Anne replied and she
glanced at Lance. ITS marvellous
of you to say that. So civilized,
you know. After all there are some
here who say I stole Lance from
you. But we know better, don't
we?"
"Of course" Janielle smiled.
Locke flattened his lips at this
piece of sharp parrying. He was
glad he wasn't in Whitney's place. |
Janielle continued, Perhaps we
are so civilized that I shall be able
to steal him back or even share
him"
Locke squinted down at her, hardly |
believing his ears.
Janielle turned abruptly to him
and placed her hand upon his arm.
But I couldn't do that very well |
now, could I, darling?"
Not very well" Locke answered
playing up to Janielle. He put his
hand over hers and he felt the ring
upon her finger. He looked down
at it and as he did he caught his |
breath in acute surprise at Janielle's |
next words.
Il did not tell you, Anne, nor
you, Lance, that I am wearing Jim's
ring. We are engaged"
Janielle gently released her hand |
from Locke's sudden, tight grasp
and held up her finger. The engage
ment ring flashed mockingly.
Jan a Bit Annoyed.
Anne Rutherford had recovered |
her usual quick -wittedness. She
said liltingly, You're engaged dar-
ling? Why, that's marvellous, too
marvellous. Don't you think so,
Lance?"