“The Melody Girl”

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3439, 5 March 1932, Page 6

“The Melody Girl”

By RUTH D. GROVES.

CHAPTER XXlX.—(Continued). She was using the psychology she’d use with a child and knew it, but she thought Tommy wouldn’t know, in his present condition. She expected him to rise to the mention of Irene’s name, which had been deliberate. He did. “Irene broke our engagement,” he said thickly. “Because you lost your job?" Beryl asked, to And out if he knew about Prentiss. ■ But Tommy would not answer the question. A stubborn loyalty to Irene forbade it. “Do you want her back again?" Beryl asked sharply. Tommy turned and looked at her. His eyes were wells of misery. “Want her back?” he repeated wonderingly. Beryl was thinking that Irene might scurry back into her engagement to Tommy like a frightened rabbit if anything happened to break the affair with Prentiss. Maybe something could happen—maybe Prentiss didn’t know that Irene had been engaged to Tommy. Suppose she told him? Beryl was furious with herself for thinking of it. “I’m the kind who would give a sick kid barber pole candy if it cried for it,” she said to herself in disgust. “Honestly, Tommy, would you want her again even if you knew that she’s not worth the powder to . . .

Well, if you knew she wouldn’t stick? Why, just look—she throws you over when you’re up against a bad break! Do you think she’d ever be anything’ but just what she is?” “N’v mind,” Tommy said wearily. “I love her.” “Then why don’t you do something to get her back?” Beryl flared at him. “Not even a dumb Dora like Irene would stand for your doing thisl” “Y’ gotta give a guy a chance,” Tommy mumbled. "All right, I’ll give you a chance, ,v Beryl exlaimed. “I think I know a way to get Irene back for you, but I won’t do it unless you promise not to repeat this night’s performance, and go right out and look for a job. By the way,” she added guilefully “where’d you get it?” “Thash none of your business," Tommy told her. Beryl slid down off the rock. The water was ankle deep. “Come on," she said, “before we have to swim for it.” “I can swim,” Tommy boasted. “Sure, but come on anyway. You’ve got to go home and do a lot of things to yourself before you’ll look human again.” Tommy submitted to being guided ashore. Then Beryl dropped his arm and walked along with him in silence. When they came to where their paths divided she said imploringly: “You will behave now, won’t you Tommy? Don’t quarrel with your uncle. You can’t afford to if you’re serious about wanting Irene. You can leave this house as soon as you get straightened out.” Tommy was much soberer now. “How are you going to fix 'it with Irene?” he asked doubtfully. “Never you mind,” Beryl returned. “If you’re willing to have her on any terms it’s too bud, but it’s your funeral.” "You’re always worrying about my funeral,” Tommy remarked, but he grinned faintly and Beryl could have cried with relief. It was the first grin of any kind that she had seen on his face for such a long while. “I’ll telephone you as soon as I have news,” she said and turned swiftly away. At home she marched defiantly into the kitchen to see if Irene were there. She found her mother clearing away th breakfast * dishes. Mr Everett could go to the store later now that Beryl was paying a young man to assist him.

"Where's Irene?" Beryl demanded 'Still in bed?"

"Well," her mother said, "she came in late you know." There was a note of asperity in Mrs Everett's voice and Beryl thought it wiser to go in search of Irene than to stay and talk with her. She did not feel like having a vocal skirmish with her mother, and she could guess that Irene had complained of her unsisterly ■conduct the night before. "I've something to say to you, young lady," her mother stopped Beryl at the door. The girl faced around.

Mrs Everett was too busy to fence. "Don't you go interfering in Irene's affairs again," she, said sternly. "She has a right to marry anyone she wants to if her father and I are willing." A sarcastic smile curled Beryl's lips. "Is she afraid of me?" she asked. "Who can blame her if she is?" her mother challenged. "You've made trouble enough for her. She'd have been married to Tommy Wilson now if you'd minded your own business." "And aren't you glad she isn't?" Beryl returned with deplorable disrespect. "See what she's caught now. Perhaps if I break this up she'll get the Prince of Wales next."

"Don't try to be so smart. Just you let Irene alone." "What's she afraid of—that I'll tell Prentiss she was engaged to Tommy?" Mrs Everett did not answer directly, but Beryl could see by her mother's expression that she had hit the nail on the head.

(Copyright.)

“I thought she’d be afraid of thatl” she exulted “I’ll bet she never told Prentiss a word about Tommy. Well, Prentiss wouldn’t like a cheater.” “It’s her own business,” Mrs Everett declared, “and you keep ...” She was interrupted by the ringing of the front door bell. “Go and see who that is,” she ordered Beryl. Beryl opened the door to a messenger boy who was whistling one of the songs she made popular on the radio. “Not for you, Miss Velvetan,” he said as he handed her a yellow envelope. “But you can sign. I guess the company’ll accept your signature." (To be continued.)