CAREER MAN’S BRIDE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12822, 17 August 1939, Page 3

CAREER MAN’S BRIDE

JOSEPH LEWIS CHADWICK Cop r. 1113 tj Ualtrf Ftitart gjndtoatet lat.

CHAPTER II

„ was close to nine o'clock before . n arr ived at the Van Arden S ‘ ePh His unde had had guests for ;°”er, and he had had difUoulty Arden butler, who admod him. informed him that Miss Arden and Miss Hayden had alknow where they have •one?” Stephen asked. .. rm very sorry, sir—no. Stephen then asked to see Mrs Van Arden and, as he waited, he felt nervous and jumpy- It was no new Lerlence. He had been feeling this 1, finite Often lately. It came of doubt and suspicion, Eleanor had him guessing. Jlrs Van Arden appeared. ‘Steven Hughes! Is it really you?” “In person. I’m on the trail of my fiancee.” “She and Judy have gone to a party at Guy Michaels’ studio. You know Guy, of course. The artist—” «Yes, I know him,” Stephen said, grimly.’ ‘T’H follow them there. Thanks, Mrs Van Arden.” Ue went out to his car and drove angrily toward the centre of the cjty, Guy Michaels! Hadn’t Eleanor

“ ‘Stephen!’ She! recoiled guiltily from Guy’s embrattce.

never gotten over him, yet? The artist’s parties were frequent. Informal, spur-of-the-moment affairs, held in his penthouse studio apartment. Stephen had been to one or two in times past, but he disliked both the man and his parties. A. Filipino servant admitted him to the penthouse, which was a bedlam of noise—radio music, gay chatter and laughter. The place was crowded. Couples were dancing in the big room where Guy did his Painting. , Stephen moved in that direction, and came face to face with Judy Van Arden. Judy, blonde and doll-like, seized hia arm. “Stephen! You stranger! Come dance with me!” “Where’s Eleanor?,” Stephen demanded, curtly. Judy’s eyes widened. “My gooduoss, how ferocious you look! You look positively dangerous!” Don’t stall—where’s Eleanor?” Stephen repeated. Judy began to pout. “You need aot be so uncouth# I don’t know where she is, I saw her dancing with Guy a few minutes ago. Maybe ey went out on the terrace.” Thanks,” muttered Stephen. He turned toward the French doorHint opened on to the t,errace, and 3t ?PPed out into the night. The terrace was dimly lighted by and the moon but it was e Uough to recognize the girl Jv.man who stood so close together “-■'issing. The girl was Eleanor. ® man, Guy Michaels. in('^ eP^en s * oo< * there, unseen, feelS utterly stricken. Here, then, as the proof that his doubts, his ha/ SUSpic * ons , his crazy jealousy, d :„.. ba3is - He was shaken to the , S km being by the sight of otw 11 he love d in the arms of this lfl er man.

mat angei ’ rose in him. A He toLr ness surged through liim. tbi ng lke breaking » hurting some»i't 1 ao tan H'’ he k ” ew that of th* He must P la y the Part on to i IP mat H e advanced easily Ups. 6 terrace ’ a faint smile on his

&nd gasped

She recoiled guiltily from Guy’s embrace. Then, quickly, she tried to hide her embarrassment. She came toward him, poised and lovely. “Stephen, this is a surprise!” she said, taking his arm. Stephen glanced at Guy Michaels, hating the artist’s thin, pale, handsome face, hating his coolness as he lighted a cigarette. He said, “Hello, Guy. Thanks for :—entertaining my girl.” Guy’s eyebrows lifted. “Is Eleanor your girl? Well —glad to sub for you any time.” “Thanks,” said Stephen. He measured the distance from his clenched fist to Guy’s sharply pointed chin, but restrained himself. “Glad you dropped in,” Guy murmured, and sauntered into the apartment. Alone with Eleanor, Stephen said, “This makes it, easier for anything you wish to say to me.” She regarded him intently. Her poise was gone again, and her dark eyes were fearful. “I can only say I’m sorry, Steve. It was just a moment. Thats’ all—nothing more.” “•But there will be other moments,” he said flatly. “And there have been others, I guess I know

where we stand.” ‘‘Stephen! You’re not going to be difficult about this!” Eleanor protested, “It meant nothing—absolutely nothing!”' “I’m sorry, Eleanor, but —this finishes things for you and me.” “Oh, you fool!” Her lovely face was distorted by quick anger. “You can’t possibly be so stupid and small-mind-ed. Guy means nothing to me. Oh, once, I thought he did, but now—we’re only friends.” “I’m sure it’s a very beautiful friendship,” Stephen said stonily. Eleanor had paled, “llow can you talk like that to me—imply things that aren’t so. Why do you try to make me hate you?” she cried. Stephen said, quietly, “Don’t go into hysterics, Eleanor. Be glad we both found out in time how wrong our engagement was.” Eleanor flung back her dark head. “All right! If that’s what you wish .—” She twisted his ring, from her finger, thrust it into his hand. “Spoil both our lives to gratify your jealousy!. Go your way. Go on Stephen —go!” , He turned and went. The elevator carried him to the lobby, and he walked heavily to the street. He felt wilted inside and, where his heart had been, there was a glacial mass. He got into his car and started home. (To be continued).