LOVE TOUR

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12823, 18 August 1939, Page 3

LOVE TOUR

—THE EVENING STORY =====

Janet finds that too many to choose from can complicate the life of a beautiful girl

By Athlyn Deshais Yes, Ann Finch would select this day to call. Janet Layton was disturbed, but she tried to show only warmth and hospitality as she led her friend to a chair near the open fire. “You’ve neglected me,” Ann chided. “I came to ask you if we’ll go back to school together next week?” Eight years of teaching had robbed Ann of any charm. Her eyes showed discontent. “I’m not going back with you. My trip around the world during vacation has convinced me that I can never teach again. From now on I’m sitting back leisurely.” Janet’s eyes glowed. She radiated health and happiness. “But,” said Ann, “if you’re refer-

“He struck me as being a snob.” ring to the actor,” she looked wideeyed, “don’t tell me you’re accepting him after all!” Janet sat back. “I never finished my story. Now’s the time.” She glanced at her watch. “Susan Hammond was with me, you know, and before boarding the boat we decided to enact a little drama. I refused to be identified with the thousands of sea-gonig teachers looking for summer romance. So we took the tour conductor into our confidence and told him to spread the word that I was an heiress. Susan posed as my com-panion-maid. She’s a public health' nurse, and she has that sturdy, helpful look even when she’s relaxed. So our little drama went along without snags.” “Until the emotional upset,” Ann contributed abruptly. Janet smiled reminiscently. “It was good for me to fall in love with Elliot. 'lt was the first time in my life that I wasn’t able to secure the interest-of a man I wanted, and that was what piqued me.” Her laugh rippled. “Honestly, I'-literally cried om the shoulder of our tour conductor. He was grand. .1 didn’t realize it —then.” “Did ’Elliot turn you down completely?” “Completely. Simply because, so the tour conductor told me, he would have nothing to do with an heiress.” “Why didn’t you tell Elliot then, that you were only a school teacher?” “He was one himself. College instructor. My story would have sounded weak. So I let it go.” “You couldn’t have loved him seriously. I know you,” Ann said wisely.

“Well, it didn’t matter. By that time he was paying attention to Susan.” “How did she like it?” “She didn't. He bored her. She got out of it as gracefully as she could, and we each clung to an arm "of the tour conductor and cruised along, concentrating on sightseeing. Our conductor—Bill Payne's his name—didn’t seem to mind when we usurped his attention so wholeheartedly. He was a homey, regular person. Not superficial. “Well, one day in India when I was feeling desolate a further entanglement developed. - It was a novelty, though, and stimulating. “We were at the Taj Mahal. According to the guide books it’s supposed to be awesome in its satiny whiteness. But on this particular day the sun shining, down on the marble just gave me a headache. I was tired of the heat, of people wandering around draped in sarongs, and I was hoping I’d .never hear another temple bell in my life. Besides, my feet, were aching. Sudden ly there appeared a fascinating individual. An actor, so they said. He was well acquainted with Bill Payne, and he just naturally joined us. “We four dined together, and he devoted himself exclusively to Susan. At this point she was so enraptured with the mysticism of her environment that it didn’t take her more than an hour to fall violently in love with the actor.

“He struck me as being a snob, and I couldn’t undei*stand how he’d become so enamoured w r ith my maid. But it was all right with me. “Poor Susan soared in the clouds for three days, and then she came down to earth with a thud. Without any warning the actor dropped her and turned to me.” Janet shook with laughter, “Never have I heard such sweet, insincere words of love. To shorten my story I’ll tell you that I rebuffed him immediately. Even if ~rd. been interested I couldn’t, in fairness to Susan, give him any hope. “Now here I am back home and I’m going "to try to be myself, and keep out of trouble.” “But,” insisted Ann, “what has all that to do with your job this year?” Janet glanced out the window and stood up excitedly. “There’s the reason. See? He’s getting out of his car now. That’s Bill Payne, our tour conductor. We’re going to be married quietly in three weeks, and .then we’re starting out. on another

world cruise. Together this time.” Janet paused. <f He’s not taking any chances. You see, he really liked me from the start. It was he who switched our roles for the benefit of the actor. He told the fortune hunter that Susan was the heiress. But after three days someone in the tour party let slip that Susan was merely my maid. And that cleared up the mystery of why Susan was dropped. Bill told me only yesterday.” “How thrilling. But . . she stopped. “What about Susan? Is she still unhappy?” Janet shrugged. “She’s doubtless forgotten the actor. She’s busy getting ready to take a job in South Africa. She’ll marry. Bill has connections there. He’ll see that she meets a real man this time.” Ann was still disturbed. “Janet, dear,” she said gently, “you must remember that you aren’t exactly a pauper. Are you sure, I mean are ’you absolutely sure that this Bill ‘might, not also be a fortune hunter?” “No!” Janet shrieked happily.

“The poor dear doesn’t surmise that the president of his steamship line is my uncle Tom. It was sweet to hear him talking of the president 'just, yesterday. Telling me what a wonderful man he was, and hoping I’d meet him some day. And Ann, he’s been saving his money frantically, to be able to pay for my honeymoon trip. I shan’t tell him, yet, that I’m travelling free.” yhe bell rang and she flew to open the door.