Evening star., 1941-09-16

DurSt lntO SODS.
"Well?" he prompted.
Brokenly, but quite glibly, she con-
tinued. I'm the light of next day I
knew that 1 had made a terrible
mistake, but Dick was, well-obsti-
nate. I tried to get back in time to
go ON with the wedding-I tried SO
hard, Mike-but 1t was midnight
when I reached home and I couldn't
find you, no one could find you. You
were just-gone." Her lips quivered.
A Shock for Julie.
Midnight, Julie thought. She and
Mike had been taking the plane. Oh,
why had they done it? Once she
had asked Mike what would happen
If he were ever sorry. Unable to
remember what he had said, she
only knew that he was sorry now,
desperately sorry. She watched him
from under the fringe Of her lashes.
He was listening raptly to Rita's
reproachful tale. Lighting a cigar
cite, his fingers trembled.
Rita went to him, throwing out
her hands appealingly. We've been
searching for you ever since, all OF
us. You were cruel to hide-cruel.
When your radiogram came rushed
| to meet you-and what did find?"
She paused dramatically. II found
you with that-that girl" She was
the picture of injured innocence.
That girl is my wife" Mike said
/ stupidity.
Your what?" 1t was an aStounded
outcry.
Mike exhaled slowly. Julie
+ thought he braced himself. Then he
said. Rita, you ran away with Dick
/ "a hours before We were to be mar
ried and-I didn't care You see,
since the first day Julie came to my
office I've felt differently" He
hesitated, apparently unable to go
on with the gallant lie.
Rita's eyes were perfectly round,
her mouth hung open most unbe-
comingly, her glance darted from
Mike to Julie and back again. But
but you love me-" she gulped.
NO" Mike held out hand to
Julie. Come, dear" he said.
She rose dizzily. At this moment
there was frantic pounding on
the door a shrill voice crying, Let
me in. Rita-let me in this minute" !"
Mother" Rita said, going to the
door.
Rita Wins First Round.
Mrs. Deming was backed by q
small army of news reporters and
cameramen. They attempted to
crowd into the room with her. bab-
bling questions. Mr.. Gray. may
have a word?-Miss Deming, hold
that pose-Mr Gray, what about
wedding plans?"
Mike went into action so violent
" that the newsmen retreated in a
body Get outl" he shouted. I'll
give YOU story when I get ready
He slammed the door in their faces
For an instant the four of them
ctared at one another Mike ran
a harassed hand over his hair, Ju-
lie held to the back of a chair. Rita
worried her lower lip Mrs Deming
teetered on very high heels while
attempting to settle her ruffied
feathers.
Well" she said at last. "a pretty
mess this Isl Why was I left stand
ing on the dock and where have
you been, Mike Gray. and what is
this young lady doing here?"
Rita spoke sweetly Mother. >
she said. this very charming young
lady is Mikes wife. Now. now
as the older woman bade fair to
explode, this is Just one of those
things. I didn't want Mike and he
didn't want me and so there YOU
are" She crossed the room to Ju-
lie. extending her hand. saving gra-
clouSly: I'm afraid I failed TO wish
you every happiness. Mrs. Gray
You and must be good friends"
Stunned by the unexpectedness
of her gesture. Julie took her hand
Thank you she stammered.
Rita turned brightly TO Mike
you and your wife must dine with
mother and me this evening" she
said. Run along and get settled
perhaps you'd better say a few
words to the reporters-meet us
here at g. Right?" She was really
very lovely standing there before
him, pretty head on one side, lips
curved i'll delicious smile.
Julie folded her hands into small
nstS, despairing fists. Rita had wor
the frSt round. Her attitude left
Mixes wife defenseless.
Mikes Turn to Stare.
Mike registered and was extreme
ly pleasant to the gentlemen of the
press. He introduced Mrs. GRAY
laughing good-naturedly at their as
tonlshment. Miss Deming and hel
mother had met them by arrange
ment. The four of them were din
ing together and flying back to
Miami on the morrow. Had Mis-.
Deming's elopement with Mr.. Van
Vleet been just stall? This uues.
ton was asked by a bewilderec
newsman. Yes. just stall. said Mike
And then they were alone. Mr.
and Mrs. Michael GRAY. recent
very recent, honeymooners in Ha-
Wall, now two strangers who had
been tied together by a gleeful trick
of the fates.
1t was Mixes turn to stare blind
ly from the window. Julie stood ir
the center of the ornate parlor,
hands clasped behind her, twisting
back and forth in a childish wav
she had when troubled.
He did not turn. He said, his tone
muffled, Don't talk. Get dressed
We are dining with Rita and her
mother"
Copyright l94l. Chicago Daily News inc
Continued tomorrow
Dlnner Is further reversal for
Julie.