Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-06-16
LIKE OLD TIMES

/
they were the best of friends:
LIKE OLD TIMES
Marvellous news. NV fashion
show tour leaves me an evening
/ free I'm Transport. We must get
together at the club for dinner
and dancing. Like old times.
Hank and you and
Old times indeed! When Hank
danced all evening with Elita and
never gave Anne a glance. Elita's
sleek beauty had always made her
feel dowdy.
II would be worse now, with
Elita a successful designer. wear
ing such clothes no doubt as
Zanesport had never seen save on
a movie star.
Jealousy held Anne in torturing
grip. Worse than jealousy. A con-
lviction that Elita was the reason
why her marriage to Hank was
failing. Loving Elita, he had taken
Anne second choice. That was
why he neglected her for business.
/ Anne's mouth trembled, then
went firm with desperation. She
had to know the truth. She would
make this a test case. The whole
future of Hank and herself hung
on the test.
He came in late as usual, to a
dinner that had been succulent at
6 o'clock and was now reheated
to a point of de-hydration.
Anne tossed him the note.
'FrOm Elita," she said, keep
ing her voice casual though her
nerves were tense for his re-
action.
She waited endless minutes
while he read. If he would only
say: Il can't make it. Too busy"
Then the test would be over
mercifully quickly, almost before
it began.
He looked up, smiling.
"This Il greatw he said. "Of
course, well throw her a dinner
party at the club" AS though
in belated excuse, he added:
you've been wanting a night
out. darling"
What irony! AS though she
would join them. She must go
through the test now, whatever
the bitter end.
II he still loved Elita-Annel
could not bring herself to answer
that then, but deep down she
knew that she could not go on i'll
she made sure that Elita was the
reason he neglected her. And
make sure she must.
Yet up TO the last minute She
hoped for something to stop the
test. An accident. Elita's tour
might be changed or her train de-
rallied, she thought desperately.
SHE STAYS HOME
Or there might be trouble at
Hanks plant. The slightest diff
Guilty there would give him an ex-
cuSe not 10 come home to a party
Anne planned. But there was no
difficulty not to come home on the
night Elita was to arrive. Oh, no
indeed.
Hank came in early for the first
time in a year. He whiStled cheer
lily as he shaved and dressed and
fused over his tie. Anne recog-l
nized the tune. 1t had been a hit
six years ago. when he was en-
gagged to Elita. He bounced into
the bedroom, tuxedo-ed. beaming.
Hey. not ready yet"" he eX-
/ claimed.
Anne sat there, forlorn in her
house dress. She didn't care how
she looked. She had a despairing
feeling that it didn't matter. She
had already lost She made the
speech she had rehearsed.
THE woman who WAS 10 stay
with Junior can't come. I'll have
10 stay with him. You 20 ahead
and explain TO Elita. Meet her
at the club as we planned"
This was his cue TO say: Il won't
leave you" or Try 10 get some
body else TO stay with Junior"
Instead he said:
That's too bad. But I guess
you're right. I'd better run
along. Wouldn't do TO disappoint
Elita now. After all she's an old
friend. Don't worry. I'll show
her a good time"
I'm sure you will" Anne said.
Then there was nothing 10 do
save wait and torture herself with
visions Of Elita in Hanks arms.
dancing Elita smiling while he
held her close: Elita in something
sleek and suave and irresistible.
Still there was hope. II he came
in early and said. What a dull