i. i :“£E__§_;4_ __- . race: TWENTjL i7‘ II_7 _>“ I __o~\_~_k~ rue ciiaawrrizrovvu ‘GUARDIAN ING SANTA CLAIT k‘-\‘\;‘-“h S A Christmas Romance ofloving Service, Intrigue and a Lasting Happiness-The Reward of Sacrifice and Suffering DECEMBER 16. 1939' Illlllill ._@- (Continued from p186 13) Dora's eyes were round with amazement and her definite opin- ion was that anyone who did not like sum a heavenly place must be out of his or her mind. As she opt-lye, she was lifting her break- fast tray from tre table to her knees. Jan watched her in silence. Ind then commented on it. "Dara! You lifted tiiat tray so Gflfilij‘. Do you really feel-" "Oh, I'm well enough-my doc- tor man has been gtvins I113 llii sorts of little things to do that I never did before. It was going to be a great surpilse for you some dav to see me go thraygh my daily d”Zt‘li zlil at one time. But I forgot llfifd the tray. I've spoiled the " Dora said sadly. . .1 hcr so hard that thc jL and coffee were in ‘o dtngtr at falling l0 t.:e ilcor. She csuld no: spcak: i151‘ heart us. ttzo lull for v: But she r:- .ti if there was CYPI‘ any- caitlri do iri‘ kindly Dr. ivoiild iieicr count the ‘if morning wore on. Jan ill t‘:‘i a...r<i to her and ilie oiclies- "e had learn- t ve'lcw '" l' ‘ingly polntedho- the ' liir cuiiiti fit he!‘ feet ("lfl dfmaiidctl that hr innit-d cvvn for DH r ti‘! : ’\"illl".i .1 dim: ill." t‘ act's i -. liei‘ aiiib. 1‘ eyes vxilli the gratitude she . him. How wonderful it ust :[1?l'.l. a lifetime bring- s to others! Of course acl not realv spent a Ian reminded herself‘, . n, a‘ ttle over thirty .lve. ddtnly Dr. Curtis locked '.'L‘ Dora's fair head and this young lzidy ls about ri-w‘ - ~ will‘ cxiieiwiiicrit." 115w. i-tiurl ciili.‘ land and shire a~ him ll: liiid a'wa_vs refined to "flint! tl‘;it tii" operalitm would . he Lllililg more than DXplYi- l tn i'.1l'lll'f‘. although Jan . .r.tr:l l1" hoped it would give . i a rflv lifc. ‘Oh. J: isn't t“.is wonderful?" “Oi cou se dear." JJII swallowed th: lump in her threat and tried to be castial as she answered her sis- ic could not overcome hcrci e fear that Dr. Curtis‘ snipe statement had aroused. her helpless little sister- oti an operating table! The of ether-those dreadful s of Wlllllll‘! without being ablc t» rtlp. She Lard Dr. Curtis’ viiicc as from a great distance" v "Ycur sister is going to be finc ‘ ‘s been one of my best and I know she so fai r going to disiinpoiiit m-e nozv." 7 DT-‘tifd the pale slender hand cu tho covcrlet and rose ‘. Only then did Jan remem- ' the question of pzifvmfl operation had not neon but. Di‘ Curtis! The mon- llit warm hand resled reassuring- ‘iculdrr a moment. "I y. mi her n ltivcii‘: min cd it. have I? he es' "l Hlliiil‘ “Ho, but-J‘ "Then you flf‘{"ll‘.'l bolkci‘ about If it will make You I111." I ivant. to tell you that s "s of this operation will n . lo me ai‘.d I can arrange gs at the hospital." r. Citrtis turned awav from the ~si painful relief that made . lips quiver and her eyes‘ fill tears. He envied Tony's i to brint: that lock to the face. When his friend had t told rim about Jan and her . ha 111d tried to convince that the iclca of posing as ‘o n cittuffciir was a foolish Dr. Curtis had to admit it ivas the only way Tcnv .vc rirrnivrcd for Jan to a Vie ‘ifi without her v~zind nfusltig-his kind- n Tony .s J Juiced ‘ 55$ 101 cp-ratirn. hr Wfllffilfl ll ttiatf Jtau ogiagtift-tto kitow tit o fer nae or. "fflndl miss an this fun?" Tony had ccntanrled. “Not on 3'01" 11191 I've given enough to charity and 115,911.61 to EIICUZh meaty-mouthed s and hypocritical thank pseol. .. I certain-v w) pert it few pennies for the girl Im c. about. ivlthout» P11111116; 1191' in n soot where she'll have to reg- isPr gratitude." Ti‘: doctcr, xiow prt-‘Dflflllo 110 leave, one a few cheerful itistruc- tinvs in the girls. an.“ can he ready to co to the hcsirital this afternoon?’ 11E asked crisiiallv- 111711110111- Wamf‘? 1°’ Jan's answer he went on: ‘Ill send a private ambulance at threenxouh} line it. ocrg.‘ he prom-sell, will‘ no racing tcrouqh the streets wit the siren going full blast. 5687111‘! all the rest of the B11110 0111 °1 a wav." Outside in the Ital]. 11"" across Jan's shoulders he ‘slid! happy about it, Jan.” T1181 ‘B’: helps everybody. you know." "I-Pni happy," whispered Jan. XIII After Dora. smiling frcni the stretcher, had been carried out of the room, Jan lost all sense of time. She was not to see Dora again until after the operation. accord- ing to Dr. Curtis‘ arrangements. and the hours went by ln a sort of ‘lriizien procession that dulled her setters to everything-arm tiie work that lay before lier, Site tol- lowed her reguliir rout-ins, accept- ing her cues mechanically, shilling a frozen little smile at the applause she received. Then almost imniedi- atcly it was another day-the day of Dora's operation! The old woman. always referred to by Jan and Dora as ‘That cranky old Mrs. Talbot" who lived on the same flour, mct Jan in the hall that morning or; she was fitt- liiz iifi‘ kev into the door. "I hcur your sislfr has gout-i to the hospital." ‘organ lifts. Tinbot. “I hope ev:ryt'ttiig will be all right.‘ Jan was zistrnlshed at this sym- pathy. She had thought that Mia. Tfbot disiikeci her-in fact the cld laiy llilll replied ivitcn ‘niiig to hri‘ Now l}. that sh: was ii would be c suc- c iyould tell Dora coitkl scc k-tr that had l?‘i(‘|_llll'TCl about 'l':lbot >t1l‘l ll‘l'"tl to v-st. liu‘ l‘l' ct lllll'll“.'ll "l r ‘on her her hat ' aiinloss- ‘ when she that Dr lift‘ twirl cf time to _ A tiitii . ‘ ‘ and v.‘.=.s - tired. Paul met her as ‘ cctiiing in and erzclointed . v "Volt iiiu~l r"! 7-. us (if-l scniri trail you in l :i't f"ll. the illlld will Jan. like an oliedleiit child. ivciil. to her FOCIII. acxpleci ti‘: cup of hat broth that vxis ‘Till lll1 to her. and curled up on the bed. She v.au‘d nab-she could nct-fal‘. asleep. Yet. about five minutes later. it the maid was gently si tier rind saying it was sevcn o'clock. It was a biof=cd relief to rush through a iuth. lorct- tltivit a sand- \\l"l\ ard art rnadi‘ for the slioiv. reossur i l'Fl' as niurli as his . Dora had caaperatczl beau- peuscd with She tifiili_\'. Ilo ivas vcry the way everything had gone was ltCL to worry‘. His voice li rd with her for the next houi Then again site began ‘get restless. to wonder nervously if Dr. Curtis had not been professionally kind. If only she could sr-a Dora -_iust for a niiitutel But no. she ni' t put on her make-up. she must dance and smi'e and sing her sillv tuneful little song. I-I:i‘ nails bit into hcr palms until SllL‘ felt that. she would l:se control. and hated ewrv Cll.‘ of the well (tress- crl. well fed audlenre “o titrrirzi tlIPlI"f'2ICCS' to ‘her 5w a‘. fast corn" tiie bl (‘f release-ii." c:iild fly to 'I‘-'t1:.‘ . the (‘LIT l0 cariv he? to it tal. Jan scare heazd Zaiiibr is wlrspercd: “Br Mzitiemcissllcl" The morning afttr Data's‘ oper- ta the hotel lycstlibh lied Ill fCCLICIF. Lust iii i. when you chino back frcm the hospital I was afi‘aid...." Jan look i up a“d remembered that slto l‘ ilF" "nulls ivifc had died in hos ial loivin; an oper- ‘ill uticn. Far t"? inst time he seem- ed to her not n stun and w-arlaly liotel manager, bu; a sympathetic friend. Later. when siie answered zi ring at the door. Jlil surnrimd to sec her former Lind ‘v. Mrs. Mal- lorcl. framed in the tioorwnv. The P1931?‘ bii'k of hi2‘ fiziirc iviis swath-cal in a poll u'.<tei‘ tliiit seeineti to fllllb" her we She ivas ivtaring Whlli. was plziiiily- c new ital. as vi l—. ‘c ' l;i'i- stvlo as Jan l‘. a that wits the l lord should have curs entered the room. she large trarsprirent-wwnpped bouquet in Jan's fire. "I would have taken them to thr- hospital to your sister, on! couldn't gct flier-a duriii". hours. " the began. "I'm a chance beiiic awry as lotig this. itilyliflils‘. Hwy is the poor (lar- ling?" "She's 1u=t fine Mrs Millard. Everybody save she eoildivt be better." Jun ivillctl fc"iv.'ii“l ill! easy chiilr and. settled licr \'l.‘~llt’ll" comfortably. “Let me iieIp you off with your coat." “I don't know as that's itercs- sary." the woman rcniled. smooth- inil the plaid design over her knee. "It's new. isn't it? And I do like your hat, Mrs. Mallard.“ II do. but. not on her. Jiin was thinking to herself.) “I'm after having mnclf a com- plete new outfit." "Really. Mrs Maiord! Don't tell me someones left you a for- time?" "Well. HOW --:\nd that's lust ivlrat. hgppened." bqxan Mrs. Mallorri. "You'll be remembering that nude of mine that had his futirral on the very day I couldn't go? He was a sly one. God rest his soul! A savings account, he had all tho time-in a bark. mind V3\i—»'.\'ilh a. bank book and all. and never a word to anvboriv exec t how hard it was for him 1114118 0 111511" ""15 meet." __ "Yuri mean your uncle had mo..- nv?" J-n interrupted “He did titat! And he's nftrr leav- ing it all to me. A 103W. 111! 1"“ yer called it—a fine spoken young told her that Dr. Curtis was a want anything to drink. and may; ed softly, “you should have let me "m" l" Wfl-i- tw- The wry were wad tuned of wuiiiim iinmoiiy t r my, i a iii. hi“ see him before. 1 was worried about of‘ in!” nephew Timothy Mc- Deverestis and it was unlikely that ffivorfngr, , 5?,“ wart dowyou a: him." ‘ s “Bi.€—~ ' he _would want to sit at the same bit of harm -not a bit." "Worry? I should hope not!" 0h. Mrs. Mallard-Int more tab.e with Deverestls chauffeur. Jan laughed in spite of herself- cried Tony, coming bu. "Look Blad about it than I can tell you." Yet she could not Just rudely walk “wen, 1g 1 have go Jan cried. “New you won't have to work any more." “Listen to the child!" scoffed Mrs. Mallard. "And what should I be doing if not working. as I've done all my life? No, f l ‘red C tis tit .,ht o . _ and eighty-seven dollgiElsr ilsunighet aufnore Etlilayrmiilfge gglllifillgfglf: seen flnyonm suddenly 10mm‘ vigorous I had left after I bought some new clothes fcr mys=lf and Jack, as the face when h-e should e , d .. . _ lawyer advised ‘mo to do. Imagine, promised himself that hepglegtli-ldflsrlee ffémgiiniifigfig "§§’,",l§°‘§,§fi°g_b-1§°,§, if you can. me taking advice mam to it that. his friend acted perfect- nddlg junk p319 them;- hed a lawyer! But I put the rest of the 11101163! away and now I can die easy." XIV Accepting the cup of tea that Jan had ordered for her and which the belibay had just brought in, Mrs. Mailord sat back coinplacent- by his urgent arm, could not pro- Jewei chest!» ly. As she stlrrcd the generous iiiiiouiit of sugar in the cup. Mrs. Mallord drift:d. at a question from Jan. to Jack and his new "club." It was all due. it seem-ed. to that fine young man of Jan's-Tony Williams. Jan flushed at Mrs. Mal- .ord's assumption of an iit:itt between itcr and Tottv. Sire told the givlabouttlie empty was Tony behind the wheel of the W111 probably find the 11131315 Mr. car. He had caught sight of them. A. 13-" 511° bmke off suddenly and be a shopping day. store down the block that. Williams had managed to mitt for and his face was alive with wel- a tiis bays. It was all izi a bad state of ttpair, but the boys themselves 1nd painted it and fixed i‘. up. She had tmdc t-lirm some nice ilD\‘."lTfl ctiztaliis and Jaii didn't l:n.v. wit"! it. n‘ heart to have a boy the slrcits and safe cut of harm's . Jack was studying hard. too. arrays been icry bright in oi aitzl Mr. Will ms had told n about a SCiIOlJ. win to go to a miiit titiiform amt bass skrmkcd. lzzizl l:d Jack to work hard toward this particular goal. school. The buttons, Jan "1191" l1", Y°l1- T1111?” 511111 D'- the others and rrcape to her apart- tifitd. making 1'10 move t0 18116 5111115! lllcklllg J1“ imught- 1111' rneitt. She unfaslrned the beautiful 1-116 bracelet i119 51199911 11' 11110 nec-sssarilyi patronizing. 'I‘.‘ls was Maggi“ and flung i; mm a draw- his overcoat pocket. lp lie might going to be worse than she had e,- as 1f m? very touch o1 1g "Let's not. talk about it," said imagined. buwed he, fingfl-i Jan. "Only-only don't give me "Very wel. thank you-sir." Tony Myckev-s regfleme u, Supnosed anything like that again. Please. “dmd- “Ppa-“enlly 115 a“ 35191‘ initials inside ker bracelet had not T0111" 1115113111 disturbed her. She had ste-eled her- 711111 W115!“ W115i- 5119 ‘11811 U W 511 N113‘! Pulp-OT’?! 111d 113% Xv self to such references. feeling that £15112"? 19 5115'- §119t£13d 11163111111110 ir;. (‘lips o .ea tin mi eqiia , _. _ _, , - _ . ' y, 2 sern, an a. e same t e lllllIl17Sl' cf rfcces cf toast with I m“ 1211313" m hum‘ Sam gQ-‘Yf: 521111} getgfiidrige tit-Iii?‘ hi‘; P19861115. She would coax him to - “I'd Sh‘? “Us me ma‘ - ‘ ' T i‘; D " tell her -t.hc truth about the brace- m? 311.633). has a luncheon date was the kt.ow.s..ge that the brace- 1e! make {um promise m return W313i .1011 ~50 “'9'”? declded 1° 1M Tcny hat-l (‘W-m her. was Wlu- it. ‘however he had manaflfd to tolls-v it a tlirvrsoitie" “m? m“ f"gl""‘3°" h“; .. . come by it $116 had mime up her Jan laughed nervou51y_ ~I am how she understood eierytrnng. mind w “as brozram just as the 511m T0113‘ W131 be dinghlkdi" She Mrs Mallard s. legimy" ime ~ club dawn came af‘ed last night's weary sum before me glowermg Tom. house for Jackie and hs friends. heartsick houljs No with Tmy collm $11511‘ T931‘ 5J1‘? evemflg Cloth“ _m5 beside her Jan fouald it hard ‘to Fm. a m.” T0,... jmnrned the it.\itat oiis to iiri to dine and speak at ail‘ she cculd nsi stay another‘ minute .'i_i.id_ hosted hr-rsclf out of the arm- C . -r. Wl‘.c‘.i she was gone. Jan u ta cirrss hastlv. She had a te with Tony and she. y wait to tell him about Dr. Curtis had said a2"! how kind cvenvzitc at the hos- l1!'§'| lllill bc-tit. Sh: If"! so frsllve she wished she hart sent.“ flcvmrs ta pin to her dark coat. But cver since she h Jused his orchids. Tony had refrained from giving h-er any mare flow: . That had been a sil- and chi dlsli thing to do. Jan for the huiidretli time as tiiiiaged through a drawer bracelet that had been‘ ‘Tony's only lasting gift to her. It was quite a pretty bracelet. Jan thought as‘ site fastened the cl. l) afDllfiZl her wrist. Rhine- stoi‘ s and a pattern of littlc green Slvlf. that. almost matched her coat. Really. a diamond brace-let couldn't have sparkfcd more. Jan lill'llT"(l her arm this way and that. admiring the flash of the stones. inarvelliiig iirew at the modern ingenuity that could imitate real diamonds so successfully. In the back of her mind Jan was going over ivliat Mrs. Mallard had said about her legacy and Jack's club. It was ail woaderftilly‘ gcozl fortune for the Mallard iam- ily. Kind of Tony‘, too. to take such an interest in the boy. I-Ie must be spending quite a lot of money on him. Jan knew enough about rents the cost of paint nnd chiiitz citr- tair to realize that even the ‘ ‘l rcoiii which Jack's t up inu=t cost a good (ILKiflfS. Tony had tiuvei- I icr what lie tzrned; sh loltl posrd it was plenty. since he sccni- to to be somewhat of a confiden- . l s.- :r:t:irv as well as chauffeur to William Anthony Devercst. From I ‘ at Tony said. site gathered that. - con Zed in him most c <1 . .. 0f his private life. 5 ‘ licw much money would he have ta be tnaikutg to be able to in- uul phiziittltiopy foi‘ a iiliolc tic.‘ ‘ llOLlfl cf boy's? S only. Jan was struck by another thought. ‘Phat legacy of airs. Mallard". tivas rat.h"rfui".ti_v that. this unc ' titi‘ii cut c moncy only after Tony is ind eillcd at Jan's cld ilTIl .! Oh. well-there ivzis tirobzib- ly no connection. And as for the bzys. maybe that club of theirs was no’. nearly so grand as Jack's tnotiiri‘ described. It wouldiftdo any iiarni, however. to find out if she could whether oi‘ not Tony was spriiding all his savings on the Mzillcrzl famiy simply because she lZflCl suggested that they nccded help. Jan picked up her purse and went down to the lobby. In anath- it would be hung with ; Paul had already lcld . . the huge ivreatlts of bal- wh ch wcrc especially" made ‘ the Devon Arms evrry‘ year i ordered and ivcre even citing dressed up in red "Jan!" "lvtiy. Dr. Curtis!" exclaimed Jan. The last time Jan had seen him he had bet-ii‘. in his white coat looking as stiff and starched as if he had never appeared outside the shining hospital wards. Now he was dressed in a dark blue overcoat that gave him somehow a. more youthful air. Jan could not help noticing that his warm smile and friendly greeting were more whole- hearted than usual. Her color rose as she cavc hliii her hand and chided him for having lcft Dora. even for an instant. “Dora couldn't be bttler. nor in bettrr hands." said the doctor. "but I've bcen ivoiidering if somebody shouldn't look after you. In fact. I ivas coming up to prescribe luncheon for you with me." "our" Jan could not repress an excla- mation that. was half pleasure at tlie tfcuzht that such a busy doc- t-or should find time to think of i1.’ -aiid yet dismay at the recol- lection that ilic was even then on ill‘l' ivay to mcct 'l"r.ti_v. Slie-cxitlalti- (‘l1 us‘ ivcll as slie could that the litnchcon data ivas oitt of the ques- tion: she was mcrting a lend within a fciv minutcs. "A girl friend? I'.l take you both to lunch." Jan's color rose a shade higher Rs size (‘Xplillllfi haltingly that lt was not a girl she was meeting. As Dr Curts still stood looking at her. with that very intent friendly glance. she grew more em- barrzssrrl. She did not. want to ham hm know that site was lun- cliliig with Tony. The latter had away after he had been so kind. and after the wonderful things he had done for Dora. “My date is with Ton she said at last, an Williams." Bradford He grinned as he thought of Tony's ly the role of chauffeur he picked out for himself. "Why. tha‘s just finei" he beam- ed. "I know Tony well. I'd rather have lunch with you alone, but since we must have Tony with us. I don't mind a bit." Jan. propelled through the door test, but she thought despairlngly that it was going to be a difficult luncheon, for if Dr. Curtis did not mind Tony, site was sure Tony would m.tnd‘hlm. O I Tony had ‘parked the car around engage- the corner, the usual parking place came ymmg- observed the 311mm“; out of sight of the hotel. And there come. “Oh dear." thought Jan to lier- ssilf. "ivait ‘till he hears!" "Hello, Tcvv." she began as they stopper! beside the ear and Tony t l? a mother's lcapfd to the ground. "Dr. Curtis mghiynare to m...‘ sick Wm. hm, like Jzicl: off inct me tis I was leaving the hotel m,“ she had m, ldea how she fin- she stopped awkwardy cltnuifcuifls cap brii on his head. "It suits me perfectly." he announ- C-fdfi-"IXZCEIIISB I just had a piece of bad news for your little fnend. Doctor. I was just waiting around. Jan, to teil you I have to call our date off. Important business for Mr. Deverest. But I will be glad to drop you-and your friend-where- evcr you wan to go. Will you help Miss Payson in ,sir?" Tony stood zit attention as Dr Curtis opened the rear door of the car and handed Jan inside. I-Ie was 1 alaoiit. to follow when a violent kick on the ankle from Tony caused him to utter an involuntary cry and Jan looked up questioningly’. "I just. barkiel my shin-clumsy of me . . . ‘the doctor told licr. climbing in ha<tily and summing the door. Tony. looking immensely pleased with himself. twk is place behind the wheel. A few minutes latcr they were in front of the restaurant Dr Curtis had suggested. Zlflld Tony, hardly walt- ing for their thanks. shot off el- most befcre they were well on the sidewalk. Jan would have been uiicomfort- able about Tony if she had not found Dr. Curtis such a pleasant companion. He was more at ease with her "more than Tony had ever been. It was ltiizhly flattering. and Jan expanded in his comp. y. lust as Dr. Curtis had intruded she should. Jan found herself talk- i". ivlieu she had felt at '..t that. she wou'd not. be able tor a word. She even describ- ne of her adventures with Toni‘. “You like this young chap. don't you?" the doctor asked presently. “I-I-hadift thought much a- bciit it. Doctor." said Jan. "Tire ram" is 'Bi‘:id."' said Dr Curtis. “Do _v:it think you could lcarii to call me Brad instead of Doctor?" the by 1.\ ‘Flicv la loll: wrnt ‘on. somehow. But t‘c time tliry were dflllkill‘! their coffee. Jan itiid the conviction that Brad Ciirtls did not exactly arprove. WCll-~tl'iflb was the onfy way she could put it —of her friendship with Tony Wiliams. Mr. Wiiliam Anthony Dzverests chauf- icur WllCTi she got back to the hotel apartrrent she took out the little bale blue covered note bock in ivliicli she itad promised Dora to write down "merythin; Pussy- iiuff Says and Does." It was 20- in". to be calied "Pussy-unit's Diary." bu‘. this was the first. mo- ment she had to start. it. Under the date she wrote slowly: "l feel so sad todav I could mew till the time. My dear Dora is a- wav in the. hospital. and although I know when she comes back we ivill have more fun together than cver before. I do miss her terribly . . " She went on imtll she had covered almost two pages. There was a bitz crowd at the show that night. The young peo- nic ivere home from school and college for the holidays. and pre- Cliristriias festivity filled the air. Jan's son", was applauded with gusto-mod she had to give two encorrs after the Jingle Bells num- her. Later Paul Harris sent. word to hrr that. a group of prominent bitsinenii men had taken a table and were atixlous to have her and some of the other girls share it with them. There was nothing to do but obey. “Maybe I won't have to stay very long." she thought in she looked about for the table. Three of the girls in the dance ensemble were already there-the tall blonde they called "Mlckev"— a lively brunette named, of all thlnirs. "Matilda" —and the third. Alice Hurlev. Jan found hereseif man who introduced himsxlf as "Mr. Frnzi-er, n right smart law-yer to you." and Clem Hallack. the ‘Jig "brooch and bracelet man" intro- duced to her by Mickey Jim smiled a little wrinly. and shook her head in response to the insistent. "Have a drink. Cutie" "What!!! it beV-"I-Iere. let's have a win-e list, waiter." ‘Oh. no~no. Please. Nothing to who was half and drink." murmured Jan hastily. and tire flaming red roses which pushed away the card the waiter offered her. "Bring her an old fasifoned," Mr. Frazier insisted, "she doesn't Trim at these roses-do you think they be bloomed this way by worrying? l n ti. iiiii pea“ we“ ‘mes y y g w No sirreel And girls who don't nice! "Sure you have to," Clem Hal- WOITY 8% to lack, the Jeweler. shouted. "Sin-e to no time. Provided. 01 (3011119- you do . . . liddie drink never hurt that they eat- thelr. spinach. You cat your spinach. don't you, Miss Dora, Payson’! You don't, b any he chance, lie on your face a kick your feet up and own and bowl “Wan! I do’ wanna eat my spin- ach.’ you?" "It Ls pretty. isn't it?" agreed His banter kept Dora sissllnc Jan. "1 think it's wonderful tiie softly until it was time for them way they can imitate diamonds 1-0198"?- nowadays." ‘ifmitatiotik’ cried the now wicle- ir-‘SBM Jill a5 T011)’ 1911 awake and astonished Clem. "Phatls 810116 101' a. good-by 1110mm‘- no imitation, sister. Looks to me _ “U! 001858, darlinx." ~15" 1770111‘ like something out oi the Rajahs 158d- iy in the conversation, With a pudgy forefinger them once By this time their talk had iit- The uneasiness first trad crin- tracted the attention of the rest PM her earlier in the day envel- of tlie table "There's been a nils- oped Jan attain like e cloak as she take, and she made it," Matilda stewed into the w- Tony used murmured ironically, this car as if it were his own. The “If I were in the mood I could tho11€11l5 wflwitilufi‘ tell you where that shining bauble ness. so that she spoke Bheriilv before Tony pressed the starter. "I've decided not; to go shopping." They had planned that this was to time?" Mickey. "If you look closely you W. Tony look of pain crossed her face. "YOK haven't- Alice Hurley had pinched her hard under the table -and it was Alice who now abruptly changed time S119 11811111 1111191‘ 118E B1111 i119!" 5ubje¢g out the bracelet that Lhe odious The r-cst of the evening was a 91"" 113d admired 1118 111811?» be‘ fore. "Take it ‘rack. Tony. I can't bear to think that. you—" ‘That I what?" said Tony, mys- "I have to do something else." ally managed to get away from tiiince in smart placts and. finally, this gift that. she had actzepted so happily‘. Why. Tony could not af- ford atiy of them! She had wond- ered how he could have done so irnuch tololeasafl-er on hi8 chauf-t eur's sa ary. . caurse- e wnsn doing it on his salary at all! A D111 d15°°V°TY 11 11° 19311! we" '1 man in his insitiou-Ahe trusted miff- N°t “i w“ simply that’ he emialcyis-e of a millionaire -must h“ bee“ 19d by desire‘ prclmblyi have unusual opportunities for . . . please her’ mm “me kmd Jan rvinced awa‘ from the word or “My trailslwtm“ that ‘theft,’ she would not even iiiiaii Belted 111m “will! mime!’ l" 811°!" ' I "okays. the silence. "If that’ There was a said Tony flnaiiv. way you want. it." He was not a real criminal. of that Jan was sure. He couldn't have held this job so long with- ff. as he had been doing. "If you don't. want. to go shopp- ing, maybe you have time for l ride? Tony asked. "I tiilnk not." said Jan. "You've run tip a lot. of mileage on my account. I think that had better "Oh. Tcn\‘—'l'on_v!" Willi a little despairing crv she threw herself on the bed. "Oh. he needn't {av-e dnrc- il~ lie ticednl ltave done it." she solihcrl over aivi ovci‘ again I (I'd ‘t ‘i z ‘ ' . - t. $10.11. 1,00." g H. ‘VFJQI “n? 313th“)? I m‘ For answer Tony shot. past a red 11 l" ‘d nhthm’ ' but ' " light and a few seconds later "'1' xv, time. off Fifth Avenue and be- - 113111 weaving his way to Riverside Drv "Some party last night." Molly, the telephone operator. turned eyes full of eager curiosity towaici Jan. stopping her as site e. "lf that's all that's troubling _. u_.. "No. that's not all." said Jan tried to ass‘ tier switchboard. Jan “mem- smlled, bgt. refused to be drawn iii- “weu- “Q1115 915° 131311?" Tm?’ to conversation. demalldfif1- , _ 1-1 dim” may ‘(mg-- She said“ "I dent believe I have to tell "You didn't?" Mcnlfs vast aston- Y0“ ‘hal- Totiy kept eyes on the road. Lsltment became. sw tly, pleas-ed _ _ _ _ satisfaction. She i'.£‘l eIi was now s” Sh? knyw “I10 h“ “as Knew‘ we one m do my, “flkmgl "You and distrusted him because he had kept tire truth from her. Evidently she believed he had been amusing himself wt‘l‘i a. romantic interlude should a’ rezn that f-zlia they cali- rd Clcm tr “o; m (lance with Alice n '. - :. .. 1- " ~ - . “lair; ‘ 5 p bggm’ “Us out of ‘his tavn class: that he had "So . . o.lv, I have to rush,“ l?“ m1dth'°".‘."h°‘h°hl"'a5 $63“? l‘ " _' ._ -_ t mean noniiiig o im, a e lao%cb;§‘zed ‘In’ Ld ‘ed up me meatit to disappear from her life h-eri it. suited him. He could get her point of view clearly enough. "Fool!" he said to himself. "You Ouaslde. it. was unbelievably‘ cold. “' Polar WGHLICI‘ had descended on the city duruig the nignt and Jan f,‘§""_°_.f§‘,’fp,‘_ .4gz.ldéevig,_,gyiig; seven kinds of an idiot! you m REED he: m from Inkling‘ inlizat have known this would Her thtn kid g.o..s offered no hap'pen‘ I protecttcn agairs: the icy wind. XVI Tony hazi promised to meet her at It trad SECIIIPCI a good idea in beginning. though, to Dever- the liospitzi —ti‘i lie had ncvcr before kizown to see Dora lC WON.‘ l0 g0 ill [.113 Bier. Jan wished est. she were n1‘: gcing to mcet him any girls who took him for any. 5° §°°11~ 84? W15 glad that she on: but William Anthony Dever- coud say what she had to say est, millionaire designer of sail- and get ore.- wizh so quickly. She trig boats. Ali these girls had dis- fe.t confuse-Ii. one emotion struzg- couiz-aed the boat. designing. about 11R‘; W111‘! =-1O111@1'—<="~'91'}‘111l11‘; was which he was serious. and thought 1») 11300111821112! Exce t. of course. only of the millions. about which D"? and 11" Operat on. And Dr. he was indifferent. Jan was the Curts _ _ . first girl who had ever known Jan didn‘. feel nearly so cold him as just. "Tony," a young man as she thought of Brad Curtis's vmo liked to barge ground {trid- face across the luncheon table: in; adventure in unexiventurous she was conscious of a sudden places. It lied seemed a lucky ac- warm surge around her heart. It cident when she mistook him for was silly. bur. she had a feeling his own chauffeur-a real break that Dr. Curtis-Jilted her. A prcm- for him. a chance to find out lnent surgeon like that a man at what. a girl was like when t-here the top of iils profession! were no millions in sight to daz- Her mind was so full of Brad zle her. Curtis that she had forgotten The setup was wrong though, he Tony and the problem that. con- now admitted to himself. Too fronted her as she entered the dangerous-risking discovery be. hospital reception rwm- ‘Pony. fore he iiiiu had time w make standing by the window. whirled the necessahy explanation; New at the sound cf the opening door the worst m4 happened; djgggy- and was puzzled as he saw the ery had come and had roused dia- 11211! 8'0 Out 0f Jan's I866. trust in her. On an impulse, Tony "Hot-o. Thur." Jan said lifelesslv. spun the ca: into what Jan hm in arswer to the "Hi!" that was once called a. "bay window"—a. hls'habltuol greeting accompanied parking place high on the Drive by a hand Sflappid upward in a where cars were permitted w salute. "Lets m‘! 801118. Dora's linger while traffic whlrred and probably Waltinz" flashed behind them and the Tony obecLentlv followed her a: Hudson, below them, took it; rho passed qulcklv through the dinlfied way w the sea. door he held open. and they went. "Listen, Jan." Tony ran up the m1 to Dora's sunnv room without window beside him. shutting out exchanging another word. Tony the cold, yanked off his driving brought an enormous box of flow- gloves and caught ‘both her hands ers which he waved at Dora. and between his two Ems. "Youunder- then, when she reached out thin stand why I di it. don't you?" hands for it, he turned it over to "I suppose I do," said Jam the nurse. f hit a ly. "No hard work for you yet." he "Well. what do you expect me told her. "Save your strength for to do? shffljt with jay?" Jon, opening Christmas presents. I've fighting to keep back her tears. hear ." he dropped his voice to a lock refuge in anger. "It's not whisper. "this is strictly between something that-Altar, can be over- yoii and me. that Santa Cfaus has looked." she floundered. been working overtime this year "You‘d overlook it if you loved between a. fixirg up presents for Dora Pay- me.‘ 5/011." With a sudden movement she "Only for mo?" Dora laughed. pulled tier hands free. "It's not a delliz-htedly entering into the question of l-love." she managed. soirlt of Tony's make-believe. "It's a question of c-chrecter." ‘Then you don't. think that love "None for Jan?" small —it ts love, Jan-explatia that a "Ilherell be one or two parcels for Jan," Tony assured man mfg-ht do?" her. ‘I don't think it. is love unless- When lie had gone to the door unless ennoblee n mm, or a wo- to take the flowers from the nurse man either." explained Jan. Bent- cc-ncealed among ly. "I don't. think it should be used filled to condone-well, dishonesty." two vases. Dora. her hand in Jan's "You yourself can't condone dc-ew her sister's face down close any dishonesty?" Tony's voles to ‘ier own. sounder! a little grim. "Not when "He‘s sweet, Jan." she murmur- Isav I tom vfltl." look like roses in next h "I can't. believe that it's love." “Jan... I-Iisvoioe was low with anurgent note in it. involuntarily she t ed her heed. In a swift gature he kissed, and for the space of a pulse beet she-clung to him-this was as it should be, her heart sang to er. "Darling, I'll prove that I love you. I'll give you everything in the world-pearls for your lovely throat-.~-" "No." creid Jan wildly, pushing him away. her hand against his chest. She had made things worse. not better. She was inciting him to furthergtheft-Jie would go on and on, end up in prison! She could not-would not- love a. I "Bring him again." the sick girl thief "Take me home," she said brok- only. “Rlght-l" Tony backed the car. his face white and set. and headed it. to- ward down town Manhattan. As they neared tire Devon Arms he inquired: “Shirl I stop as usual, down the blorsk?" "Please do." He drew up w the curb. “Don't Bet out." She had he oeropeamdwuonflnsfdewalk before he cold move. "Good-by, Tony." "Good-by. ’I‘hiit was all. Jan heard him start the car as she hurled away. This was the first tlm-e in all these meetings that he had left her without arranging to see her again. Idui ‘Guess what. Dr. Curtis said." Dora was abe to sit up now and Jan, spending every possible mo- ment at the hospital, looked at her propped up against her pillows, Pussy-puffs diary in her thin hands. ‘That you look like a Ohirstmas angel in that lacy bed jacket?" asked Jan absently. "Who sent that huge basket. of fruit?" She pointed to an enormous bright red basket piled high with oranges pomegranates and strange tropic fruits she could not even name. “Paul Harris," confessed Dora, "Wasn't it. nice of him? But listen. Jan. to what my doctor man aaid—" "I'm listening, din-ling. What did he say?" " e said I'll be home by New Year's!" "Not really!" Jan- hugged her. "I can hardly believe it." “It's going to be merry Christ- mas this year all right," said Dora. with satisfaction. "It certainly is!" Jan assured her, so heartily that she was afraid she was overdoing it. But Dora didn't notice. "Paul brought the basket him- self." she offered, 'A nurse brought in Dora's luncheon. Later Jan went shopp- ing for Christmas presents for Dora-mud a list of gifts made out by Dora for Pussy-puff. includ- ing a catnip mouse and a red rub- ber ball. It was nearly four o'clock m when Jan retumed to the hotel. She had started to fit the key iii-to the lock when to her surprise the door which had not. been quite shut. swung open. The house- keeper was fn the sitting room di- rectmg a miiid and a man Jan recognized as a handyman around the hotel. New curtains had been hung at the windows. the girl noted in one startled glance. The housekeeper was motioning her two helpers to place a small divert in front of the fireplace. "Oh. there you are. Jan!“ Paul Harris. stepping from be- ind a screen. set dowti the Christ- mas wreath he was carrying close to a pile of evergreens on the table. Jan's faced paled, Paul had given her sul to someone else! A wave of anger swept over her suddenly. How could a man think enough of a girl tovisit here every day and take lresents to her, as Paul had done for Dora-and at the same time be letting such a trick! “Some y else taking these rooms?" she asked frying to keep the quiver out: of her voice. Paul to hcr astonishment. moved across the room and pinched her cheek. "Always the ittle worrler." he commented. “I'll have to begin giv- ing you lessons, Jan in looking on the bright side of thing. We have an 11"“ "mo" do Pa” M" to have the lace looking our Dora. whgn site oomfimioélgl and of course we want you u, be‘ pleased too. Jan.‘ Jan stood mute as he Went on. "Cllhe Devon Arms must. take good care of its most important, guests.» He clogged his hands as o gggtuie to his USCKCCr and her aides to follow him ind left the XVIII "1 am going to find out what this all means?" thought Jan a little later. aiio found Paul 1;. m. office still looking pleased Wm, himself ‘I came to thank u 14, beautiful way you fills; up r m? rooms." Jan began. “Think nothing of it." mid the manager. “We have been very h-HPW to have you girls here. Jan and we hope you have .enj0yg¢ V0111‘ 5141i’ as znuch as we have." ‘Goodness? thought Jan, “that sounds as it he expected us to in going soon." More bewildered than ever, 5119 tried again. “I really don't know how to you, Mr. Harris, and I know Dora Jill he more than de- lighted. 8 that apart. merit, you know, is absolutely the most beautiful place in the whole world." "Well" -—Paul cleared lils throat, —“I am very glad to hear that- verv 814141- I hone bot-h of you. Jan will aways keep a warm spot 1“ your heart for the Dcvoii Arms." That. fareivel! note again? Jan decided on a. sudden attack. "Where does Mr. Deverest coma in on this?" she inquired as cas. iially as if they had been discuss- lng that gentleman just. the mom. ent before. "What i1 bright little lady you are," said Paul, smiling. "Mr Dov. erest bound me to secrecy." Instantly Jan knew that in or- clcr to find out anything at all she must pretend to have information she did not possess. "He's a. big kid," she said indul- gentiy, ‘with his Christmas sec- rets. Of course there's no secret, really, except in his own imagina- tion." ' Paul looked relieved. He had wondered if he had made a. nin- takc in rousing Jan's susplctoiu, bitt of course the girl knew what was actually at. the botwin of ll all No girl smart. eonugli to i1!‘ herself engaged to inari like Trim- Deverest could be really in the dazik about his Chrmmas eve "sur- prise" for her. "Well, since you do know facts." Paul told her, "I see harm in giving you a hint that ought to make the surprise even more enjoyable for you. Mr. Dev- erest is planning to announce his engagement with a magnificent party hejre. at the Devon Arms. 0n Christmas eve. He is havrig the whole supper room made into ii. Christmas scene with t-lie blglett tree in town and all the iritniii- IOOITI. the I10 gs. “You'd like a new dress forthr- paxty. woudnt you. Jan? I kflflh‘ you haven't been getting eiioucli money —-dl.i1: to unfortunate cir- cumstances -to splurge on a new party dress. so as a Christmas present. I have arranged with Mary Elizabeth Howard for an en- gagement drim, for you. and site's expecting you to call tomorrow morning for a fitting appoint- ment." “That's sweet, of you, Poul," said Jan unsteaclllv. Paul beamed at the Impression this generosity had made, and he sincerely hoped that his present handsome beltavior erased from Jan's mittd arty mom- ory of past understandings. He could not. know that t/i Jaii he no longer existed. I-ier ivorld had crumbled. ‘This time there was no mistake about. it. The remnants of heir haippines were vanishing before her eyes! (Continued on page 24$ w hiutotw to ‘the Qklli are dreaminfl ,fl,§a:ziiitet white ll“ r‘