The Lincoln times., 1945-01-29


voice. '1'm recuperating in the old
home town from a divorce"
Another" asked Tony with a
chuckle. 'How do you go on He
turned to Barbara. "You haven't met
Miss Havener, have you, Bah? My
wife, Gloria"
Barbara caught her breath. Glo-
ria Havener was the local girl who
1ad made good in a big waJ. Born
Of very good family in Westhaven.
Gloria had defed convention and gone
to New York when very young de-
termined to make an actress of her.
self. She did not get any place in
the theatre until she married Perry
Carewe, the matinee idol.
He was twenty years older than
she and already beginning to go down
hill professionally, but his name was
still magic at the box office and
when he made Gloria his leading wo-
man she took Broadway by storm. IN
three seasons she was an outstanding
star. She divorced Carewe shortly
afterward. His fortunes descended as
rapidly as hers climbed. Everyone was
astopished when she married Elwood
Peale, a society man, and quit the
theatre. He too was considerably old
er than she, and although he was a
millionaire nobody had expected Glo-
ria Heavier to abandon her career.
Tony appeared to know her quite
we'll which surprised Barbara until
he explained that Gloria and his SIS
ter, Lily, had gone to school together.
"Oh!" exclaimed Barbara, drawing
breath of relief. "Then she must be
nearly forty"
81 suppose so," admitted Tony,
though you'd never guess it." Tony
finally noticed that his bride was not
enjoying herself. "Sit down here
Skeezicks," he said, indicating place
on the divan between him and Miss
Havener. you'll love hearing Gloria
talk"
Barbara's cheeks felt very hot, her
na. ids like ice. She had been so hap
r; that af- ajon. ow she felt qm'c
desperate. Hci eyes must have SAID
SC. for Ha.k suG.'erlyy got to his
feet. Time to shove off, folks" he
announced. Tony went downstairs
to see them off. Barbara did not go
along.
Tony was whistling when he re-
turned. but he stopped at sight OF
Barbara's face. whats the matter,
sugar" he exclaimed.
Barbara began to cry. He took her
into his arms. He kissed her and
murmured little soothing words. Bar
bara sobbed it all out upon his shoul-
der. 1--WE were so happy" she walled,
"and then-and then-oh, Tony,
however are you going to pay TINS
hotel bill?"
Tony chuckled. as that what's got
YOU down, sugar."
at took the last bill in your pocket
to pay for the cocktails. l saw it.
Tony took his billfold out of his
pocket anil opened it. "Do you see
what / see?" he inquired. The bill
fold was stuffed with greenbacks.
where on earth!" cried Barbara
weakly.
Between laughs Tony explained.
H. had sold Martin Flagg's wedding
present for enough to get them safe
ly home.
"But. Tony, how could you?"
"You said you never wanted 10 see
it or him again."
81 know, but"-Barbara hesitateo.
at seems dirty trick to play on
Martin"
Tony's gray eyes danced. If you
ask me. he got off light. | might have
punched his nose for sending my wi1e
anything that expensive. Not sore
are you, Skeezick's?
Barbara looked up into his face.
mo" she said breathlessly. Though
I'm sure l ought to be- j.,
TINY stopped and kissed her ana
her arms crept about his neck.
It Was queer going back to the Oh
flee as soon as they reached home the
next morning. Tony went off whist
ling on a story to which he had been
assigned, stopping on the way out TO
kiss Barbara while the whole place
applauded. 90
Barbara could scarcely wait for II
o'clock. She and Tony had agreed
! that they would not attempt to get
| lunch at home since Barbara had only
an hour. They thought it would be
simpltr to buy sandwiches across the
street from the office as usual. Tony
would lunch with her every day II
possible. Of course he had no such
regular hours as hers. He reported
to the office every morning, but he
was likely to be out on a story from
then on.
Ito Be Continued.)