Evening star., 1941-01-03

ling for you."
the maid after looking at the living
room clock.
Five o'clock?" called Honey in
very distinct tones so there could be
no doubt about the time.
"Yes'm."
Thanks"
Quickly she locked the door of the
room and pulled out the confiscated
handbag and held it tenderly for
just a moment. eyes sparkling with
anticipation. Then. holding her
breath, she snapped the lock and it
fell open, and, turning it upside
down, she emptied the contents on
the bed. AS dark blue velvet box
came tumbling out she took deep
breath and grabbed for the small
parcel with eager hands. Springing
the catch, the lid popped open TO
reveal a blue-white diamond whose
size and fire we're breath taking as
the light fell on it. The gem twin
kled up at her in all its bright glory.
oh" she gasped softly, aved.
TITS beautiful"
Without pausing for a second
glance, she dropped 1t back in the
purse and gathered up the rest Of
the contents. Then she tucked the
bag between the mattress and the
springs of her bed. smoothing the
bedspread out to leave no telltale
marks for a critical eye.
Moving swiftly after that, she took
four more dimes from her own coin
purse and went out into the hall.
When the elevator came up in re-
sponse to her ring she held the
pieces of silver out to the boy. His
eyes fairly danced for a second, then
clouded.
More Dimes for Sonny.
Here are a few more dimes,
Sonny, that I just found. They
should help the trip along some,
don't you think?'
Gee, Miss Monroe" he said. shak-
ing his head regretfully. 81 can't
take all those"
Sure, you can-it's all right. Take
them and tuck them away with the
rest. 1 want you to have that trip
while you are still young and can
make the girls heads swim. You
know, you aren't such bad-looking
young man, Sonny" There was sim
cere approval in the glance she be-
slowed on the lad. "Here-hold out
your hand"
oh, thanks!" and he took the
dimes.
She paused in her turning.
How about doing me a favor,
Sonny? Be sure to tell Mr.. Dan
burne the exact time I got in this
afternoon if he asks.
Sure, Miss Monroe. But I forgot
to look at the clock"
"Hilda said it was o'clock. Will
you remember?"
you bet 1 will. I'd do anything
for you. Everybody in the hotel
would"
With feeling of deep content
ment and security, Honey returned
to her apartment just as the tele-
phone rang. She curled up COM
fortably on the divan before picking
up the receiver. Then with a light,
cheerful note in her voice, she said:
Hello. Miss Monroe speaking"
Honey" The voice at the other
end was masculine and frantic. i've
got to see you right away. Before
night"
You sound all excited, joe" she
said, and though her voice held Just
the right amount of concern, her
face was bright with grin that gave
hint to the fact that she was well
pleased. What is it?"
Cant tell you now. I'm coming
right up"
But we have a date at 8. joe"
she reminded him quickly st was
just going to rest bit. Can't"
''No-can't wait" His words were
clipped in his haste to get them out.
"Send Hilda out for something when
I get there. I must talk with you
alone. At once" There was click
as he hung up abruptly and she was
given no further opportunity to de-
lay his coming.
For a moment, anger took hold of
her in a tight grip. Never before
had any one, much less man, hung
up the receiver in her face and she
was furious to have it happen to
her now
THE nerve of Joe Danburne," !"
she exclaimed aloud, her pretty eyes
flaming. Who does he think he is?
And who does he think he is talking
to?"
But as she realized the true sig
nificance of his words and why he
was so upset, all anger left her and
| she forgave him.
She stood UP. She knew hs would