THE MONEY SENSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 4 January 1930, Page 25 (Supplement)

THE MONEY SENSE.

~ STAR S ” NEW SERIAL STORY.

CHAPTER 11.

Ann Crawl urd gazed around her with wondering eyes, for the scene of merriment and gaiety was very strange to her. Clyde stood beside her, with a thoughtful expression on his face, doubting the wisdom of having introduced her to this crowd of irresponsibles. “Are you bored?” he asked lightly. “ Not in the least. lam enjoying rm'self thoroughly—how could one help it? Everyone seems to be so happy, and without a care in the world, just watch Mr Langford. The girl you call Jill is very pretty,” Ann remarked admiringly. “Jill is a good sort, and she’s clever,” he answered. The record came to an end, and Tony approached, with Jill, an eager expres* sion on his face. “ Will you sing to us, Ann?” he asked appealingly. “ You haven’t a piano,” she protested. “ One of the girls plays the ukelele, and she’s jolly clever at it. Cara,” he called to a dark- Spanish-looking girl, who promptly came over to them. There was a natural desire to please these new friends, but Ann held back, for she had not been able to overcome her innate shyness. However, Tony would accept no refusal, and he shouted for silence. Ann hummed an air to Cara, who nooded her head, underand at the sound of the first notes of the song there was a breathless silence in the studio. Ann’s voice was well-trained, and she sang an old ballad with taste and feeling. Tony led the applause at the conclusion, but .frowned at the demand for an encore, and quickly put another dance-record cn the gramophone. “Please come and talk to me.” he said to Ann. “Clyde has been with you for the last half-hour, and I’m jealous,” he added with a laugh. She accompanied him up the stairs to the gallery, and they looked down mt the whirling couples. Tony was silent, and he turned to feast his eyes on her fresh young beauty. “You are the most beautiful thing that I've ever seen,'' he stated with profound conviction. “I long to paint

you—l feel that } r ou will give me inspiration. Yet I doubt if I can convey vour beauty to canvas. There’s something elusive about it.” Ann could not take offence at his outspokenness, for she realised that it was the artist, rather than the man, who had been speaking. His face was grave, and there was an expression in his eyes that made him seem years older. This was not the reckless boy of a few moments ago, but a man with some great purpose in his life. “You’ve been thinking that I’m a mad young fool,” he said gravely. “Not quite that, Mr Langford.” “Tony, please. Ann, I want to be real friends. Give me a chance of letting you understand me. I’m not really the rotter I may appear to be.” “Did you paint all the pictures on the wall?” she demanded. “Yes. How do you like that sketch of Clyde ? ” “I think it's very good. You’ve caught the steady look of the eyes. I think it is a very fine face.” “Yes, and he’s a fine chap, too. I wish I were more like him. Old Thornton, my late trustee, thinks he’ll develop into a Lord Chancellor, or something of the kind. He’s the best pal a man ever had. I would trust him with anything.” ‘1 think you would be quite safe in doing that. Your friend Jill seems to be very fond of him.” “I suppose she is. But Clyde is too much engrossed in his work to pay much attention to girls. We were amazed when he announced that he w r as bringing you to-night. Ann, what do you think of us? We must seem a queer lot to an outsider, but it’s all on the surface. There’s not an ounce of vice among the lot of us. Come and look at my little kitchen. Soon we’ll be cooking the eggs and bacon. Shall we do the cooking?” he asked ingratiatingly. Ann nodded her head in assent, and he began to busy himself with the gasstove, but every now and then he would turn to look at her, as though the attraction were irresistible. He frowned when Clyde appeared and gave every sign of remaining with them. Tony was perplexed, but before very long his perplexity developed into uneasiness. Never before had his friend paid

such close attention to a girl, and now his manner showed a profound and respectful admiration that he did not try to conceal. Was it possible that Clyde had fallen in love with Ann? Tony found the idea very alarming, and al 7 though he did not under-estimate his own power of attracting the other sex, he realised that Clyde might prove to be a dangerous rival. With the impetuosity of his nature, Tony had already admitted to himself that Ann was the only woman, so far as he was concerned. It was the first time that he had been deeply moved by the sight of a woman, although the artist in him had often been stirred by real beauty. But he knew that in Ann he had found a mate, and that her loveliness was not the only thing that attracted him. It would be hateful if any girl were allowed to interfere with his friendship with Clyde Preston. It was ludicrous to imagine any such possibility, and he laughed it. away. There were calls of “Tony” from below, and he peered down from the gallery. Glasses were raised towards him, and there were cries for a speech from their host. It was an essential formality of the occasion, but, for once in his life, he found that words would not come. “I can’t talk to you to-night. My heart is too full,” he cried appealingly, and then he dragged Clyde forward. “Here’s the professional speechifier. Listen to him.” Preston hesitated, but only for a moment. “I should like to say a few words—about Tony. We all love him, and ” The words were drowned in a yell of assent, and someone started to sing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and the chorus was taken up lyClyde turned to Ann, with a smile on his face. “I think I've said all that is necessary.” he remarked. “Come and dance,” Jill called to him, and jumping up the last few stairs drew him with her. Tony joined Ann, and she gave him a quick inquiring glance when she noticed the gravity of his manner. “Will you sit for me to-morrow? I’ve thought out the gown you shall wear, and I’ll have it ready for you. What time will you be here?” he asked anxiously. “I’ve already promised to go to the Law Courts with Mr Preston,” she answered. “But that won’t take all day. Come as soon as you can in the afternoon.” “Very well,” she answered quietly. “I’ve got a better idea. I’ll join you, and we will go along to the Savoy for lunch. Clyde, what time shall 1 1

meet you in the morning?” he shouted down to his friend. Preston came upstairs, and the position was explained to him. “Miss Crawfurd is my guest, and I can’t afford the Savoy Hotel,” he said stiffly. “Rot. I can afford it,” protested Tony. “That makes no difference. We shall have a cold lunch in my chambers. Mother is coming as well, and that’s what I generally do with her. She certainly wouldn’t encourage you in your extravagance,” he said lightly, but his manner was serious. “Just as you like. I suppose I can come?” Tony asked, as though there could only be one answer to the question. For quite an appreciable moment Clyde hesitated, and then nodded his head in assent. Tony had noticed the hesitation, and it told him that his friend was indeed serious, and his heart sank. “Isn’t it time to go?” Ann asked, with a glance at her watch. I m not used to your late hours. I think I must go,” Ann said with a smile, and Preston followed her down to the studio, closely followed by Tony. It was Clyde who fetched the taxicab, into which he followed her. Ann leant from the window and thanked, Tony for an excellent evening, and allowed her hand to rest in his for a i moment. He stood and stared after the disappearing cab, and a deep sigh escaped him. Then he slowly returned to the studio, where he was joined by a despondent Jill. “Did he go with her?” she asked tensely. “Yes.” “My God!” she sobbed. “I’ve lost him.” He drew her along, and sat beside her on the chesterfield. The gramophone was playing a fox-trot, and no curious eyes watched them. “So it’s like that with you, Jill?” he said gently. # “I worshipped him from the first time I saw him—just a year ago. I knew he didn’t love me, but I did not mind, so long as there was no one else. Now, it’s just hell. Tony. I didn’t think it would be like this.” “Come up to the gallery,” he said brusquelj’-, and seized her arm, for tears were trickling down her cheeks. She accompanied him obediently, for she dreaded the laughter of her friends should they see her in distress. Tony had a real liking for the girl, and knew’ that she must be deeply moved to break down so completely, for she w r as not one of the crying sort. So he 1 slipped his arm round her neck, with

lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllltllH a brother-like gesture, and kissed her cheek. “I’m afraid we’re in the same boat, dear. I’ve got it badly. But I suppose it serves me right. I’ve always laughed at sentiment and that sort of thing, and I’ve fallen head over heels in love, at the sight of a pretty face. I ought to be kicked, for a fool. But I haven’t lost, and if I win then you haven’t lost,’’ he cried with sudden courage. “She’s bound to care for him—he’s such a dear. Clyde Preston is a man in a million. He’s your friend, but he’s not one of us. We’re a lot of rotters, and he only puts up with us because he’s } r our pal. This woman, Ann, is of his class. She’s not a wretched Bohemian, and she must fall in love with him. I saw him looking at her, as I prayed he might look at me, and I knew that I had lost. Tony, my dear, we’re in the soup,” she wound up with a sigh of despair. “Not on your life. He’s not won her yet. She’s asleep, so far as men are concerned, and I know that I’m the man to awaken her. She’s my mate— I know she is. I will fight for her, and I’ll win her,” he cried with the supreme optimism of his temperament. “I hope to Heaven you will. I’ve no pride left, so far as Clyde is concerned. I would crawl after him, abjectly. Tony, dear, make a bee-line for Ann. her off her feet. Don’t give her time for thought. You are fascinating in your way, and most women couldn’t resist you. She's new to London, and has had very little experience of men. Clyde is inclined to be diffident, and you will have every advantage. I feel a mean beast to talk in this way, but I’m fighting for my happiness, and I don’t care,” she wound up passionately. “It’s a miserable business. A few hours ago I would have been ready to swear that nothing could possibly come between Clyde and myself, and now I’m almost hating him. This love business is horrible and I'm beginning to wish that I’d never met Ann. No—that’s an infernal lie. I didn’t live until to-night, and I’m beginning to discover that life can be hell. Jill, what’s the meaning of it all?” he groaned. “I’ve been asking myself the same question since I met Clyde. Love changes one’s whole outlook on life. Before he came I thought only of my art, and dreamt that I was going to be a famous sculptor, but now I don’t care a hang about anything—except his love,” she wound up in a whisper. “You’re describing my feelings, exactly. We must work together, and I believe that we will win.” “That’s just what I want. Ann is going to be one of our crowd. Let us

make up lots of ‘foursomes’. You and -Ann and Clyde. I’m quite capable of looking after Clyde—he’s diffident, but easily handled. That will give you your chance with Ann. I like hei, and yet I hate her. I’ve only known her for a few hours, 3*et I understand

(To be continued.)