Evening star., 1951-05-14
CHAPTER THIRTY

money, Anton, Ill pay 1or ttle
evening. only take me some
where!"
"Sure, Tania. I'd like to-" His
voice was warm with liking. IT
wanted to call you before, but I
was giving you time out to rest.
I'll pick you up at $50. darling" !"
Late in the evening. after din
ner and show. Anton took her to
the Florentine Club for dancing.
Tania wore a strapless black vel
vet gown, a pearl choker at her
throat, and a white ermine
jacket,
Her dark red hair lay in loose
waves about her head, and the
tired shadows had gone from her
lovely young face. Only the mel
ancholy lurking in her brown eyes
betrayed the heartbreak and fear
that walked with her these days.
She and Anton created stir
In the club when the head waiter
showed them to table near the
dance floor. Several people sent
her friendly notes. and others
came by the table to sympathize
with her and wish her well.
Over a highball, she said tol
Anton, "I suppose shouldn't have
come here-so soon after Jeremy's
death"
sT wouldn't worry about it," heI
said. Lets face facts, Tania.
Jeremy was charming and hand
some, and he knew it, and he used
it. He couldn't leave the girls
alone. Why, Gloria" then he
stopped short. as If he had said
too much.
"I know about Gloria" she said
quietly. Mickey told me. Gloria
was obviously more than a friend
of Jeremy's. But you see, Anton,
I didn't care. because I found
out quite a while ago didn't loveI
Jeremy. He was far too much |
Of an egotist. And yet ] Couldn't
help liking him. Certainly hel
didn't deserve-death. canI
hardly helieve it yet
"I know" Anton said. "I can't.
either. He had so much charm, sol
much vitality"
She hesitated moment. then
she said. '"Tell me, Anton-you and
George were up there the night
Jeremy was shot"
She saw him stiffen. How dol
you know" he asked. his face
suddenly drained Of color.
"I saw you," she explained. I'll
was across the street. I saw Gloria
go in, too. Was he all right when
you were there. Anton?"
He relaxed q little. Eyes. He
seemed to have something on his
mind. He was sort Of absent, but
otherwise the same. I went up
there because I'd had an offer to
DO the road show of Happy Days.
tcking his role. He wished me luck.
Gloria came in, and soon after
George and I left. Do the police
krow this. Tania?" i
She nodded. 81 told them.
There's nothing to worry about,
Anton. You and George left before
Gloria"
Anton pressed her hand sudden
ty., Speak Of the devili Here
comes Gloria now with that sports
writer friend Of yours"
Following his glance she saw
Bill, tall and distinguished in his
dinner clothes. and Gloria beside
him in clinging gold lame. Gloria
had never looked prettier, Tania |
thought with q pang.
They stopped at Tania's table. |
She looked into Bills direct blue |
eyes. He did not smile. but he
said, Hello. Miss Lynn. Hello.
Ludovic. You both know Gloria.
of course"
Tania forced a smile. ''It's so
nice to see you, Bill-Gloria.
Won't you join us?"
A moment later all four of them |
we're sitting around the table, Bill
lifting between Tania and Gloria,
Anton on the other side. After
they had ordered. Gloria ignored
rania, and tried to monopolize |
Bills attention. But Bill turned
10 Tania and asked her to dance.
Thanks. I'd love to-" she said.
AS she stood UP she saw an angry
Eleam iq Gloria's eyes.
Out on the floor, in Bills arms,
moving to the music, Tania had
10 close her eyes to keep back the
tears. Finally, getting control of
her voice and her emotions, she
said, "You know, Bill, you were
much nicer to me, and much more
attentive, when you thought was
Nina Hardwicke. Was it because
Fou only like problem women?"
He looked down at her, his eyes
intense, yet inscrutable. II was
intrigued by the change in the
girl I thought was Nina" he said.
She's the most logical suspect so
sar!"
When a scheming, unscrupulous,
hard little gal like Nina was, sud-
denly goes sweet and soft, it's
nough to make any man curious.
Besides, I found her very beauti-
Jul. and I'm a sucker for a beauti-
,ul doll."'
Like Gloria?" she asked, unable
10 keep it back.
What's the matter, are you
ealous?" There was a teasing
aote in his deep voice.
Maybe" she admitted.
Gloria Is a good kid, '.elae said.
I'm sorry for her. She's am
bilious. She's tried so long to get
but OF the chorus and make a
aarne for herself singing and
iancing, and she's never had
freak, poor kid"
Poor kidd" Tania exclaimed
bitterly. Maybe she's the one
Who killed Nina, and Jeremy.
- VY. Al