Evening star., 1942-01-31

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He kissed her again. She stood up
You don't really love me, do you?
said Charles watching her closely.
"Oh, but I do" she protested
"Only-"
"Only you'd like for us to b'
married first?"
Yes. Is 1t prudiSh of me? Blu
there hasn't been any other man
I mean, I was in love with some
one-but-"
I'll hire plane tonight, and wei
fly to Las Vegas and get married.
Now she was very agitated.
Not tonight-I've-1've got to ge'
ready, and things" she ended lamely
There are so many things to do"
Like what?" Her brain refused the
answer. "All right, darling" he sale
suddenly. "All right. Well go to.
morrow night, all right?"
"Yes."
And now I'll take you home"
PLEASE"
He kissed her gently at the dool
Of her apartment, and she was glae
when he left her there. She was still
confused. but before he reached his
car she called him back. He came
swiftly to her.
DO I give up my career?" she
smiled family.
Not at ALL" he assured her
"Well be a family company-star
and director"
Yes" she said eagerly, and
brushed his cheek with her soft lips
Good might, Charles" Livla waved
while the car went slowly away.
A Day Like a Dream.
The following day had the unreal
quality of a dream. She was awak-
ened at 9 o'clock when a enormous
hox of flowers arrived. There were
roses daffodils, narcissuses, Iris
uladioluses, jonquils, Iceland pop
pies-and all the flowers OF Can-
fornia. And large spray OF "hiVe
orchids. ,.,,
They were to go shopping. lhere
was much to do. ,.
"I must tell Bruce" Livia thougnt
suddenly. She wondered at tne
sudden depression dampening hef
excitement. -,
She called him. There was no
answer. If she rushed, she coulo see
Vera and get back IN time 1or
Charles.
I'm eloping with Charles Fordyce
tonight" she told her astonlsheo
married sister.
I'm glad, darling" Vera Kissed
her. She had wanted Livia to marry
Bruce. But she liked Fordyce.
What shall I do about fatner!
Shall I tell him?" Livia asked.
mo" Vera said quickly. why
should you? You'll probably never
see our miserable parent again. And
why should you risk security ana
happiness for a man who has done
absolutely nothing for you? Ill take
the responsibility If anything ever
happens"
George, Vera's husband, came back
then Now he was in real trouble
The men for whom he worked on
the racetracks had used him as q
figurehead for certain transactions
The police were interested IN his
present movements.
Were going to Mexico" he told
Vera.
"When?" she asked bravely.
within a week
please don't CO." Livia begged
And Unexpectedly, she wept. 10
feel so alone without you"
But you'll have your husband,
Vera reminded her gently.
"Yes, of course. Ill have Charles
Livia S glow OF excitement had all
but died when Charles called at her
apartment. He had a carnation in
his lapel and looked young and
jaunty.
Its fun getting married" he
laughed. Lets get married once a
year-but to each other. And now,
Cinderella, step into the pumpkin
we're going places"
Charles was one of those men who
actually enjoy shopping. He directed
his chauffeur to jewelry shop on
Wiltshire boulevard.
You must have an engagement
ring" he said solemnly 'All my
wives have had an engagement ring"
Livia smiled, but the "all my
wives" was family jarring. She
wondered whether all his wives had
been to this same shop. Judging
by the familiar greeting of the pro-
prietor, they had.
May I suggest this square-cut
diamond?' the jeweler produced a
magnificent cleaning stone bal
anced on a thin band of platinum.
It's much too big" protested
Livia, but she tried it oh her
finger. Just to see what it looks
like"
"wen?" Charles asked finally.
Its wonderful" breathed Livia
How much is it?"
A Valuable Ring.
The jeweler hesitated. For you
Mr.. Fordyce-I make a special
price-for you, it is $1,000; but. be-
lieve me, it cost me that. I make
no profit on the ring at all" Charles
grinned.
Just for me you'll sell it for
$4,000, eh?" They compromised at
5000. Livia interrupted:
But it's too big for me. I'd like
a smaller ring, please" Neverthe-
less she was pleased that they
ignored her. 1t was fun to be rich
even though it we're drama. But
she had her way with the wedding
ring. She insisted on a thin, plain
gold band. She left the shop wear
ing the engagement ring and her